Last week, the VOKA team visited GAASCH PACKAGING for the final evaluation of our first year in the programme Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO). It marked a key milestone in our sustainability journey: from ambition to action.
We sat down with Katrien Eggermont, Sustainability Manager and lead for the VCDO programme, and Bert Van Dijck, Account Manager and member of our sustainability working group. Together, they reflect on where we are today and look ahead at what’s next.
From intention to action
Why did GAASCH PACKAGING join the VCDO programme?
Katrien: We had already taken steps in sustainability, but lacked structure and measurability. The VCDO offered a practical framework to translate ambition into concrete, prioritised actions. It helped us link sustainability to our core business (packaging and partnerships) and allowed us to move forward step-by-step. Fourteen internal owners were involved from the start, which fostered shared ownership. The approach also aligns us with evolving expectations such as CSRD, double materiality assesment (DMA), EcoVadis and customer requirements.
Why is this important from a commercial standpoint?
Bert: This is not just a side project. It’s increasingly part of client conversations, especially in pharma, food and cosmetics. Topics like traceability, compliance and circularity are becoming standard. Our participation in the VCDO shows that we aren’t waiting for regulation to become mandatory. We are proactively preparing and are ready to support our customers in their sustainability transition.
Katrien Eggermont
Sustainability Manager at GAASCH PACKAGING
Focus Areas in Practice
What progress has been made in the past year?
Katrien: We focused on four priorities:
- Circular packaging: We have successfully piloted clients into changing their packaging, from virgin materials to rPET, lightweight and recyclable materials. Furthermore, we expanded our partnership with Bring Back to offer reuse models for packaging.
- Supply chain transparency: We rolled out a sustainable procurement policy and a supplier code of conduct, now covering over 90% of our direct spend.
- Logistics & operations: We mapped all waste streams and launched a roadmap towards zero waste by 2030.
- Stakeholder engagement: We introduced trainings, dashboards, and engagement surveys, and strengthened our collaboration with partners like VOKA and HOGENT.
Bert: From a commercial point of view, the work is visible in more accurate product data, clearer sustainability documentation, and improved certificate collection. All practical steps that directly benefit our clients. We've also had more in-depth discussions with suppliers about reusable packaging formats, which leads to better-informed, more realistic solutions for customers.
Bert Van Dijck
Account Manager at GAASCH PACKAGING
Lessons Learned
What are the key takeaways after one year?
Bert: For me, the lesson is that sustainability is not a sprint. When approached methodically, you make consistent progress in the long run. It only works if it's embedded in your daily work. When we frame sustainability around customer needs rather than abstract goals, it naturally gains traction.
Katrien: Sustainability becomes tangible when integrated into daily operations. The double materiality assessment (DMA) helped us focus and avoid scattered efforts. Data quality remains a challenge, but awareness and ownership are growing. Communication has proven critical for awareness, and for enabling behavioural and process change. The VCDO gave us structure, momentum and external validation.
Looking Ahead
What are the next steps for GAASCH PACKAGING?
Katrien: We already identified our key focus areas for 2026. We will further integrate sustainability into our ERP and core processes, deepen carbon accounting (especially Scope 3), and scale successful pilots. We’re also strengthening internal skills by providing adapted trainings and are further aligning governance, KPIs and workflows.
How does this support our customers?
Bert: Clients are increasingly reporting on sustainability (PPWR, CSRD, EUDR, food compliance...) and need packaging that supports those goals. Our role as a packaging partner is evolving. We help define what’s technically possible, compliant, available and economically viable. That’s where we can truly add value.
Reviewing the actions, results and next steps of VCDO at GAASCH PACKAGING
Final Thoughts
Any advice for companies still considering their sustainability path?
Katrien: Start small, but start. It’s cliché, I know. Choose a framework that helps you focus, involve your people, and aim for progress over perfection. What matters most is translating ambition into practical action.
Bert: I agree with Katrien. I’d say, just begin. You’ll realise you're already doing more than you think. And expectations from customers, employees and suppliers are only rising. It’s smarter to be ahead of the curve and start preparing today.
At GAASCH PACKAGING, we believe sustainability is not a trend but a structural part of future-ready business. Through programmes like the VCDO, we align our operations with what matters, today and tomorrow.
How does sustainability fit into your current projects? Looking to learn more on compliant, reliable and circular packaging solutions that match your sustainability goals? Let’s discuss your project.
