The "Eco-Design Forum" took place on 5 May in Düsseldorf, during the "interpack" trade fair this year (see Plasteurope.com of 15.05.2017). Almost 100 people attended the event, which was organised by the Round Table on the Eco-Design of Plastics Packaging and the German plastics packaging industry association Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK, Bad Homburg / Germany; www.kunststoffverpackungen.de).

Speakers from various branches of industry, science and consumer protection approached the topic of eco-design from their different perspectives. One important conclusion from the forum was that "recycling capability is an important aspect of the eco-design of packaging. But eco-design is more than just design for recycling." There is a need for a critical look at the marketing of plastics packaging and other themes were highlighted, including packaging's important contribution to sustainability due to its product-protecting properties, such as from early spoilage or damage.

The Round Table on the Eco-Design of Plastics Packaging launched the "Guidelines Project" as a resource for top management, marketing managers and product developers to promote a holistic approach to eco-design. The final guidelines are scheduled to be presented in April 2018.