Seminar “Food packaging in the wind of change – the future of circular food delivery systems and lessons from the Change(K)now! project”

The aim of the seminar is to bring together regulators and local governments, caterers, event organisers, recycling service providers, and other stakeholders to discuss which circular solutions are already working in Estonia, what still needs to be solved, and how to do so. The seminar will also summarise the experiences of the Change(K)now! project, which supported a mindset shift toward the transition to circular solutions in food delivery systems across the Baltic Sea region.

The seminar will be held in Estonian. Registration here by September, 22.

Agenda:

13.00 Gathering and welcome coffee 

13.15 Introduction and framing of the day – food packaging in the wind of change – why are we talking about it now? Kai Klein, Baltic Environmental Forum 

13.30 New rules of the game – what will the changes in packaging regulations bring? Kelli Seppel, Advisor to the Circular Economy Department of the Ministry of Climate

13.55 Results, lessons and tools of the Change(K)now! project: Reuse in real life. 

• School catering: how to reduce the use of single-use packaging?

• Public events: reusable packaging as the new normal?
• Food takeaway: reuse without losing convenience?

Change(K)now! project partners: Evelin Piirsalu (SEI Tallinn), Teele Joost (Tallinn Strategic Management Office), Merle Kuris (Baltic Environmental Forum)

14.40 Coffee break 

15.00 Panel discussion: Reuse in food delivery – solution or additional burden? 

Are we in Estonia ready to significantly reduce the use of single-use packaging? Where is reuse already reasonable and where is it not? Is regulation leading the market or moving too quickly or too slowly? Who pays the real price of the reuse system? Is the consumer ready to change their habits? Does the diversity of reuse systems help or hinder? What should the state do – regulate, support or let the market find solutions?

The panel will include representatives of the Ministry of Climate, Eesti Pandipakend OÜ, the Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Tartu Event Management Centre, and restaurants. The discussion will be moderated by Harri Moora, SEI Tallinn.

16.00 Closing remarks. What next? Summary of the main conclusions of the day. 

What do we know that works? What problems are still unresolved? What should the state, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders do next?

16.30 End of the seminar 

In addition to the seminar, a visit to Tartu Raatuse School (Raatuse 88a) will take place the following day, October 6, from 10:00 to 11:00. There, interested participants can learn how the school cafeteria has reduced the use of single-use packaging and how this initiative has been received by the school community. The visit is intended primarily for those who wish to eliminate single-use food packaging in their own institutions (e.g., school cafeterias) and would like to receive advice based on practical experience.