5 min
19.6.2026
From Excel spreadsheets to efficient packaging data reporting
Sarah Bauer Aoun and Saga Egilsdóttir
Meyers
Tekst:
Lisa Larsen
Foto:
Meyers
A complete overview of packaging data
When extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging became a reality, Meyers, like many other companies, faced a new and complex task: collecting packaging data, classifying packaging, and reporting the correct quantities.
For more than 25 years, Meyers has worked to promote Danish food culture, operating at every level of the value chain from farm to fork.
At Meyers Food, they handle a large volume of products sold to both the retail and foodservice markets. The path to their current solution began with Excel spreadsheets, but as requirements grew, it became clear that a more robust solution was needed.
Today, Meyers registers their products, packaging components, and packaging systems in GS1 Denmark's platform, GS1Trade Packaging. This allows the company to consolidate all relevant information in one place and generate reports for ongoing EPR reporting.
“The most important thing is that we can generate reports,” says Saga Egilsdóttir, who is responsible for registering packaging data at Meyers.
The reports make it possible to export data directly to Excel and use it as the basis for reporting to the collective scheme.
“And it’s just easy – and for us, it’s a huge help that we can use this.”
The keywords here are: time savings, better data quality, and a faster overview of packaging.
Eco-modulation creates value
However, working with eco-modulation required a significant effort at the start. Meyers collaborates with many different producers and suppliers and therefore had to collect documentation from each one.
“I think it took about half a year or something like that before we had all the data sheets in place,” says Saga.
In return, the work now provides a much better basis for decision-making.
An investment that pays off
Implementing GS1Trade Packaging took time. All product and packaging data had to be created and quality-assured.
“It’s a bit of a heavy lift to get everything into the system. It took a lot of hours. I think we spent a month’s worth of work on it.”
But once the data is in place, maintenance is limited.
“Once it’s done, there isn’t really much maintenance, because everything is already in here,” says Saga.
Today, Meyers follows a fixed process: sales data is retrieved from the company’s ERP system, the report is generated in GS1Trade Packaging, and the figures are reported to VANA, the collective scheme Meyers is signed up with.
More than just compliance
For Meyers, the work is not just about complying with legislation. As a B Corp-certified company, they also see the value in being able to document their efforts and work systematically on improvements.
As Sarah Bauer Aoun, Head of Operations and Sales Support, says: “It is incredibly important that we have a handle on these things.”
“It’s also quite reassuring that we have a system that is actually this transparent, and we know that we have documented our efforts.”
At the same time, the data makes it possible to identify where action can be taken to make packaging more environmentally friendly.
From hours to minutes – 40 minutes a month
To get off to a good start with GS1Trade Packaging , Meyers attended webinars, kick-off meetings, and used GS1 Denmark’s many video guides.
For Meyers, GS1Trade Packaging has made it possible to consolidate packaging data, create structure in EPR efforts, and simultaneously gain a better foundation for future packaging improvements.
And in terms of time resources, it has also proven to be a major gain. According to Saga, she now spends 40 minutes on reporting – per month.
