Sustainability & Circular Progress in Packaging and Beyond
Trends, Challenges & Regulatory Drive
The packaging industry is evolving rapidly. Rising environmental awareness, changing consumer demands, and stricter regulations - like the EU’s Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) - are transforming the landscape. The goal is clear: reduce environmental impact and accelerate circular solutions. While this transition may carry complexity and uncertainty for our customers, we see it as an opportunity to innovate and lead positive change.
From Responsibility to Action
At GAASCH PACKAGING, we see today’s challenges as an opportunity to innovate and help our customers drive meaningful change. We translate responsibility into practical action by improving material efficiency, supporting circular initiatives, and strengthening responsible sourcing. For us, sustainability goes beyond packaging - it shapes how we design, source, and collaborate with partners to build smarter, more resilient value chains.
Sustainability is in our DNA
As a fifth-generation family business, we take a long-term view on doing business. Our responsibility goes beyond financial performance: to people, the environment and the communities we operate. That’s why we embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility into everything we do.
We see packaging as a lever for progress:
- to deliver safe, attractive and compliant products,
- to reduce environmental impact across the value chain,
- to contribute to circularity and smarter use of resource,
- and to help our customers stay ahead of both market demands and regulations.
Our approach focuses on practical, scalable solutions that match the reality of producers in food, beverages, personal care, pharma and industry. Flexibility, ownership and reliable partnership are at the heart of our Gaasch Packaging culture. We strive to help our customers move forward sustainably.
Turning ambition into action
Through the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, we translate these ambitions into a measurable action plan, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, we commit to launching at least 10 concrete actions linked to the 5 core SDG pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
We work on four focus areas:
- reducing the environmental impact of our logistics,
- promoting transparency and accountability across our supply chain,
- enabling circular packaging innovation,
- and increasing employee and stakeholder engagement in societal matters.
Joining the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO) allows us to formally embed our ambitions in our core operations. Sustainability is a strategic priority, that helps us and our customers build a future-ready business.
Validated by Ecovadis
Next to defining our sustainability ambitions and action plans, we aim to assess our impact and progress. EcoVadis evaluates our performance and identifies our growth areas. It’s a global, independent partner in setting standards for sustainable, resilient supply chains.
We’re proud to have received a Bronze Medal on our first assessment in 2025 — placing us in the top 35% of our sector. This is a recognition of the work we are already doing, and a motivation to build further.
Together with colleagues, customers and producers, we want to continue working on impactful choices and a future-proof value chain.
Circular solutions in action: Bring Back
Reusable glass packaging is gaining traction. Together with Bring Back, a Belgian industrial washing center for glass jars and bottles, we launched a strategic partnership to support reuse in the local market.
This 'pool' system allows producers, wholesalers and consumers to return used glass containers, which are then professionally washed and reused.
The impact in numbers:
- 79% less CO₂ emissions compared to recycling,
- 30% water savings,
- up to 24 times less waste, when reused on average 25 times,
- local job creation in social enterprises,
- and lower, more stable costs than new glass packaging.
Interested in collaborating on sustainable packaging or responsible business?
Get in touch! We’d love to explore what is possible together.
