Are packaging and food waste related? That is the question experts discussed during the inspiration meeting of the NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre. Experts from the food retail and packaging branch have spoken with each other about the role packaging plays in optimising the use of its contents. Manufacturers think in volumes and most consumers are unaware of the waste.

Ruurd Hielkema (Trendbox), Steven de Cleen (Proud Design), Lawrence de Munck (Versunie), Peter Karsten (Karsten Beheer) Lienemijn Verploeg (HAK Vegetables and Fruits), Rolph Droste (DéDutch-European Package Gallery), Ger Standhardt (NVC), Wolter Prins (independent retail adviser) and Frits van Wolveren (freelance journalist) gave their vision on this subject, because the European Commission is giving extra attention to the prevention of food waste in the year 2014.

Do designers keep the prevention of food waste in mind when they design packaging? Steven de Cleen is clear about that: “Manufacturers don't take it into account. They want to sell as much of their product as possible. They are determined by volume thinking! A good example is the introduction of Senseo by Douwe Egberts. After two months it became clear that the company had sold less coffee”.