The need for a single standard for calculating the impact of packaging
Sustainability decisions are challenging because every company measures impact differently. Some use custom Excel models, others rely on existing software, and some build complex in-house systems. This mix of methods leads to inconsistent, non-transparent data that’s impossible to compare, making it nearly impossible to get a true understanding of a product's impact. Without a way to fairly assess results, companies are left guessing, often struggling to make informed sustainability decisions.
Together with leading packaging industry companies, Pickler is on a mission to solve this by setting a single clear method for calculating packaging impact. With consistent, transparent LCA-based rules and up-to-date IDEMAT data, Pickler can deliver reliable, comparable results. This empowers packaging companies to make informed, impactful decisions that favor sustainability and genuinely reduce their environmental footprint.
Pickler's calculation rules, are built on 5 rules:
1. Scalable LCA-based calculations, with a focus on what matters most
Pickler’s calculation rules are built on the Fast-Track Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), providing comprehensive lifecycle data (excluding the use phase) on your product’s environmental impact, measured in eco-costs and carbon footprint.
Unlike traditional LCA, which involves extensive data collection, Pickler delivers reliable insights quickly by using IDEMAT, an ISO-compliant database containing pre-validated environmental data for over 2,000 materials and processes. IDEMAT provides trusted, standardized environmental science-based data that you can use. This allows you to skip the lengthy process of gathering this data independently.
IDEMAT’s regular updates ensure your assessments are based on the latest data—critical for accuracy. This is vital in ensuring accurate calculations. Using outdated data, such as energy mix information from years ago, can lead to misleading results and inaccurate assessments.
Pickler's calculations is designed to focus on lifecycle hotspots—the areas with the greatest impact on environmental performance. Rather than gathering exhaustive details, like the specific load factor of a transport truck, it zeroes in on what truly matters, such as energy mix and material choices. This approach is ideal for packaging companies needing to calculate the impact of not just a few, but thousands of products. It enables quick, accurate insights without the heavy demands of traditional LCA, allowing you to make impactful decisions based on the latest data.
2. Fixed calculation rules, to ensure comparable results
Pickler enables packaging companies to make decisions based on genuinely comparable results, even between companies as long as Pickler is used. Built on a fixed set of calculation rules, our approach eliminates selective data use, ensuring results that are fair and truly comparable. This creates a even playing field in the industry, where results are truly comparable between packaging companies and buyers can truly make decisions on price ánd sustainability.
3. Transparant data, to make results verifiable and anti-greenwash compliant
In an industry flooded with sustainability claims that are often vague or feel exaggerated, In an industry full of vague sustainability claims, Pickler stands out by making every result easy to understand and trust. We fully disclose data sources from IDEMAT and the assumptions behind each calculation, so you're never left guessing. This transparency not only builds trust but also helps you meet anti-greenwashing regulations like the Green Claims Directive. With Pickler, you can confidently share consistent, reliable results that meet the highest standards for clarity and honesty.
Pickler's calculation rules
4. Independent calculations, to eliminate bias
Calculating environmental impact in-house often risks bias, as preferred materials or selective data sources can skew results. Pickler, as an independent company with no ties to any material or industry, provides truly objective calculations based on accurate, verifiable data. This neutrality allows companies to make credible, confident sustainability claims and avoid greenwashing, ensuring a clear, honest view of their environmental impact.
5. Primary data for more accurate results
Pickler allows you to add primary data—specific details from your own operations or those of your suppliers—to make your impact assessments even more accurate. By including primary data, you go beyond industry averages, capturing the unique efficiencies and characteristics across your supply chain. This added precision enhances transparency and can provide a clearer, more tailored view of your product’s environmental impact, potentially revealing a lower footprint if your practices are more efficient than standard assumptions.
Compliance of Pickler's calculation's rules
Pickler calculation's are in line with the strict IDEMAT user agreement. Read more about the compliance of Pickler's calculation rules
Want to know what you can do with the data, read What Data Do You Get From Pickler's Calculations?