Raw material derived from renewable biomass sources rather than fossil resources. It may originate from plants, animals, microorganisms, or organic waste streams and is used as a raw material in the manufacture of products or packaging. The bio-based content shall be determined using a recognised and verifiable methodology or certification scheme (e.g. ISCC Plus) and shall not be interpreted as implying recyclability, compostability, biodegradability, or an overall environmental benefit.
Glossary
Sustainability can be a complex topic, and related terminology is not always used consistently. To support clear, transparent, and accurate communication, we have created this glossary of sustainability-terms used across our website, communications, and packaging solutions. The definitions are provided to help readers understand how these terms are used by Wipak and reflect our commitment to communicating sustainability-related information in a clear, accurate, and responsible way.
Plastics made from biological resources, such as biomass feedstock, organic waste or by-products, and irrespective of whether the plastics are biodegradable or non-biodegradable (PPWR 2025/40 article 3(1), no. 53)
The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with an organisation, product, service, or activity, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) and calculated in accordance with a recognised greenhouse gas accounting methodology, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or ISO 14067. Any stated carbon footprint value relates only to the defined scope and methodology used for its calculation.
The packaging or product has been independently assessed and certified by a recognised third-party certification scheme (e.g. Cyclos-HTP, RecyClass, etc.) against defined recyclability criteria. Certification confirms technical recyclability under the conditions and scope defined by the certification body.
Packaging that is designed to support material circularity, including reuse and/or recycling, with the objective of keeping materials in circulation and reducing the use of virgin resources. The term does not imply that the packaging is fully circular, recycled in practice, or environmentally superior unless such claims are separately substantiated.
An economic system in which packaging materials and products are designed, produced, used, collected, reused, and recycled with the aim of keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible and reducing the need for virgin resource inputs.
The ability of a product, packaging, or material to remain within material cycles through repeated use or recycling, supported by appropriate collection, sorting, recovery, and manufacturing systems. Circularity should not be interpreted as indicating a specific environmental benefit.
Wipak’s Company Carbon Footprint accounts for emissions under Wipak’s immediate authority, including all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (Wipak’s Operational Carbon Footprint) as well as further company-related Scope 3 emissions, like production waste or business travel.
The design of packaging, including individual components of packaging, that ensures the recyclability of the packaging with established collection, sorting and recycling processes proven in an operational environment (Definition according to: PPWR 2025/40, article 3(1), no. 37)
Electricity generated from renewable energy sources verified through an energy attribute certificate or equivalent system, or from nuclear energy activities that meet the applicable requirements for environmentally sustainable economic activities under the EU Taxonomy.
Any effect, whether adverse or beneficial, that a product, packaging, service, or activity has on the environment. Any statement regarding environmental impact relates only to the specific environmental aspect, scope, assumptions, methodology, and system boundaries identified and should not be interpreted as a claim of overall environmental superiority or reduced overall environmental impact unless explicitly substantiated.
Within the scope of the GreenChoice by Wipak® concept, relevant environmental aspects may include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, recyclability, and the replacement of virgin fossil-based materials with recycled and/or renewable materials. Any claim relating to GreenChoice by Wipak® refers only to the specific environmental attribute(s) substantiated for the product concerned and does not imply overall environmental superiority.
A portfolio of packaging solutions designed to support specific sustainability objectives, such as recyclability, renewable material and/or recycled content, and reduced product carbon footprint, depending on the product specification. The inclusion of a product within GreenChoice by Wipak® indicates that it possesses one or more defined sustainability-related attributes and does not, by itself, imply an overall environmental benefit or superiority.
Wipak’s commitment to advancing packaging solutions that support sustainability objectives, such as recyclability, renewable and recycled material content, material optimisation, and customer support in sustainability transitions. The term does not constitute a claim of overall environmental superiority or market-leading performance unless specifically substantiated.
Under Wipak’s definition, the Operational Carbon Footprint accounts for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
The consideration and integration of defined sustainability objectives in the design, production, use, and end-of-life management of packaging, including aspects such as recyclability, recycled content, renewable material content, resource efficiency, product protection, and climate-related objectives. The term does not, by itself, imply overall environmental superiority or reduced overall environmental impact.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, part of the Circular Economy Package, which sets out specific targets for the reduction of packaging waste in the EU
A measure of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout all or part of its life cycle, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) and determined according to a recognised methodology. A product carbon footprint addresses only the climate change impact category and does not, by itself, represent the overall environmental impact of the product.
Wipak’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its products through measures such as material optimisation, increased use of recycled and renewable materials, and other product-related innovations. Progress towards this objective is assessed using defined product carbon footprint methodologies and comparison approaches. References to product carbon footprint relate solely to climate change impacts, expressed as greenhouse gas emissions, and do not by themselves imply an overall environmental benefit or superiority.
The compatibility of packaging with the management and processing of waste by design, based on separate collection, sorting in separate streams, recycling at scale and the use of recycled materials to replace primary raw materials. (Definition according to: PPWR 2025/40 article 3(1), no. 38)
The development of packaging in accordance with recognised recyclability principles, guidelines, or assessment methodologies, with the objective of enabling effective collection, sorting, and recycling within the intended recycling stream. The term refers to the design characteristics of the packaging and should not be interpreted as a claim of actual recycling rates, recycled content, or overall environmental benefit.
Packaging that is designed to be compatible with established collection, sorting, and recycling processes, enabling it to be reprocessed into secondary raw materials. Any recyclability claim relates to the technical capability of the packaging to be recycled and does not, by itself, imply actual recycling in all markets or an overall environmental benefit.
GreenChoice by Wipak® packaging solutions designed to support recyclability and compatibility with established recycling streams. Where stated, recyclability may be independently assessed or certified according to a specified methodology. Inclusion in the category does not, by itself, guarantee actual recycling in practice.
The GreenChoice by Wipak® category for packaging solutions containing recycled materials and supporting the replacement of virgin materials. Inclusion in this category is based on the presence of recycled content and does not, by itself, imply overall environmental superiority or a specific level of environmental benefit.
Material derived from pre-consumer and/or post-consumer waste that has been recovered and reprocessed for use in a product or packaging. Any claim regarding recycled content refers solely to the proportion of recycled material and does not, by itself, imply recyclability, overall environmental superiority, or a specific environmental benefit.
A packaging solution incorporating recycled materials as part of its material composition, thereby supporting the replacement of virgin materials. Any claim regarding recycled content relates solely to the proportion and origin of the recycled material and does not, by itself, imply recyclability, overall environmental superiority, or a specific environmental benefit.
Materials obtained from recycled sources and incorporated into packaging solutions to replace a portion of virgin materials. Any claim regarding recycled materials refers solely to the presence and origin of such materials and does not, by itself, indicate overall environmental performance.
The GreenChoice by Wipak® category for packaging solutions incorporating renewable materials, such as paper or plastics derived from bio-based feedstocks, and supporting the reduction of reliance on virgin fossil-based resources. Any related claim refers solely to the renewable origin of the material and does not, by itself, imply recyclability, biodegradability, compostability, or overall environmental superiority.
Materials derived wholly or partly from renewable feedstocks, including bio-based materials, used to reduce reliance on virgin fossil-based resources. Any claim regarding renewable materials refers solely to the renewable origin of the material content.
Packaging solutions incorporating materials derived wholly or partly from renewable feedstocks, including bio-based materials. These solutions are designed to support the replacement of virgin fossil-based materials. Any claim regarding renewable packaging solutions relates solely to the renewable origin of the materials and does not, by itself, imply recyclability, biodegradability, compostability, overall environmental superiority, or a specific environmental benefit.
Materials derived from renewable feedstocks, such as paper, plant-based raw materials, or bio-based polymers, used as alternatives to virgin fossil-based materials. Any related claim refers solely to the renewable origin of the material.
The optimisation of material and resource use throughout the lifecycle of a product or packaging, including measures such as material optimisation, lightweighting, the use of recycled or renewable materials, and designing for recyclability, while maintaining the required performance and functionality.
An independent initiative that assesses and validates whether a company’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are aligned with the latest climate science and the objectives of the Paris Agreement. SBTi validation relates to the company’s emissions reduction targets and does not, by itself, constitute a claim regarding the overall environmental performance of the company or its products.
Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur from sources that are owned or controlled by the company. Examples include emissions from combustion in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces, vehicles, etc.; emissions from chemical production in owned or controlled process equipment.
Indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
Other indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are a consequence of the activities of the company, but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the company (upstream and downstream).
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors that are taken into account in decision-making, product development, sourcing, manufacturing, or business operations. The consideration of such factors does not in itself indicate a specific sustainability performance, outcome, or improvement.
The development, production, and use of packaging solutions designed to support defined sustainability objectives, including recyclability, renewable material content, recycled content, resource efficiency, product protection, and climate-related objectives. The term refers to the consideration of these objectives and does not, by itself, imply overall environmental superiority or reduced overall environmental impact.
Measures and activities undertaken to support sustainability objectives, including resource efficiency, climate-related actions, responsible sourcing, circularity, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Specific attributes of a GreenChoice by Wipak® packaging solution, such as recyclability, renewable material content, recycled content, resource efficiency, or product carbon footprint reduction.
(Food) Packaging or packaging film developed to maintain product protection and performance while contributing to specific sustainability objectives, such as resource efficiency, recyclability, use of renewable or recycled materials, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Specific attributes of a GreenChoice by Wipak® packaging solution, such as recyclability, renewable material content, recycled content, resource efficiency, or product carbon footprint reduction. Any sustainable attribute refers only to the specific characteristic concerned and does not, by itself, imply overall environmental superiority or reduced overall environmental impact.
Film-based packaging solutions designed to support specific sustainability objectives, such as recyclability, renewable material content, recycled content, resource efficiency, or product carbon footprint reduction. Any reference to sustainable films relates only to the specific sustainability-related attributes of the product and does not, by itself, imply overall environmental superiority or reduced overall environmental impact.
Wipak’s long-term ambition to create lasting value through responsible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, including climate-related actions, resource efficiency, circularity, responsible business conduct, employee well-being, and sustainable growth. The term expresses a strategic objective and does not, by itself, imply the achievement of specific sustainability outcomes.
A material (packaging material) with one or more defined sustainability-related attributes, such as renewable or recycled content, recyclability, or resource efficiency.
Electricity originating from sources that meet defined sustainability-related criteria, such as verified renewable electricity or electricity from EU Taxonomy-aligned nuclear activities.
Wipak’s corporate ambition to proactively support sustainability objectives beyond applicable legal and regulatory requirements through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across its products, operations, and business practices. The term expresses a strategic ambition and does not, by itself, imply market leadership or superior sustainability performance.
Wipak’s corporate ambition to advance sustainability through collaboration with customers, suppliers, and industry partners, innovation, and continuous improvement, including actions relating to climate, circularity, resource efficiency, and responsible business practices.
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