Moving Beyond Compliance: Wastepack Expands Its Sustainability Offering with Genee

For many packaging businesses, compliance is the starting point - not the end goal.

As regulatory expectations evolve and pressure from customers and supply chains increases, organisations are increasingly looking for ways to go beyond compliance and embed sustainability into the heart of their operations.

That’s why Wastepack, a leading packaging compliance scheme with over 20 years of experience, has partnered with Genee and the Investors in the Environment scheme to strengthen the sustainability support available to its members.

Building on a Strong Compliance Foundation

Wastepack has long supported its members in navigating the complexities of packaging waste regulations: providing expert guidance; dedicated account management; and hands-on support to ensure organisations remain compliant and prepared.

But the landscape is constantly shifting, and businesses are now being asked to demonstrate progress, provide evidence of environmental action, and show how they are actively reducing their impact.

Introducing a Pathway Beyond Compliance

Through this partnership, Wastepack is expanding its offering by introducing Investors in the Environment (iiE), a structured environmental accreditation programme delivered by Genee.

Importantly, this is not about replacing compliance. It’s about building on it.

For members who want to take the next step, iiE provides a clear framework to:

• Turn compliance data into meaningful environmental action

• Set and track measurable sustainability targets

• Embed environmental management into day-to-day operations

• Generate credible, externally recognised evidence of progress

  
  

This creates a more joined-up approach, where compliance becomes the foundation for continuous improvement, rather than a standalone requirement.

Alyce Morris, Project Manager at Wastepack said:

“We are pleased to be working with Genee to expand the support we offer our members. As expectations around environmental performance continue to grow, it is important that organisations are not only compliant, but also able to demonstrate meaningful progress. This partnership allows us to provide a clear route for those looking to take that next step.”

Leading by Example

Wastepack is not just signposting this pathway, they are undertaking the Investors in the Environment programme themselves.

By engaging with iiE, Wastepack is demonstrating its own commitment to structured environmental improvement, while gaining first-hand insight into the journey many of its members may choose to take.

This puts them in a strong position to support and guide members who are looking to go beyond compliance and future-proof their businesses.

Supporting Members Ready to Take the Next Step

This partnership creates a clear, credible progression route for Wastepack members.

Those who are ready can choose to work with Genee through iiE to:

• Strengthen their sustainability credentials

• Improve efficiency and reduce costs

• Engage staff in environmental action

• Demonstrate measurable progress to customers and stakeholders

  
  

Ultimately, it’s about helping packaging businesses move from meeting minimum requirements to building resilient, responsible, and forward-looking organisations.

Turning Insight into Action

To support this, Genee recently delivered a webinar for Wastepack members, featuring insights from Paul Mercer at Andy Thornton Ltd, an organisation already engaging with both Wastepack and Investors in the Environment.

Paul Mercer, Health and Safety Advisor for Andy Thornton Ltd, reflected on their journey with iiE:

“The Investors in the Environment process has really helped guide us on our sustainability journey. Having a structured framework in place has made it much easier to turn ideas into action and embed sustainability across the business. It’s not just about compliance - it’s helped us take a more joined-up, meaningful approach and see tangible benefits as a result.”

The session highlighted how a structured approach to sustainability can deliver tangible benefits, from enhanced reputation and market credibility to cost savings and improved staff engagement.

Alongside this, Genee has also launched several practical sustainability guides, designed to help organisations take those first steps beyond compliance and start embedding sustainability into everyday operations.

Looking Ahead

As expectations around environmental performance continue to grow, the ability to demonstrate action, not just compliance, will become increasingly important.

By partnering with Genee and introducing Investors in the Environment as part of its wider sustainability offering, Wastepack is equipping its members with the tools, insight, and support to take that next step with confidence.

This approach also offers a blueprint for other membership organisations looking to strengthen their sustainability offering, providing a practical route to help their members demonstrate measurable environmental progress.