Packaging innovation helps environment, reduces food waste

One of the most effective ways to reduce food waste in Australia is to improve packaging, according to the director of innovation at fresh food packaging manufacturer, LINPAC, Alan Davey.

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, around one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to around 1.3 billion tonnes per year.

Located in Melbourne, Victoria, LINPAC manufactures fully recyclable rPET rigid packaging for meat, fish and poultry in Australia, as well as supplies a range of innovative packaging solutions for bakery, prepared and chilled foods and fruit and vegetables in conjunction with its global INFIA and barrier films businesses.

In developing packaging which extends product shelf life, LINPAC has brought to market Rfresh HB and Rfresh Elite, both fully recyclable at the end of use, minimising food waste through the supply chain and in the consumer’s home.

Rfresh Elite is relatively new to the Australian market. It is a lightweight, mono-material tray, which uses a patented sealant on the tray flange to create a secure seal with the lidding film. This removes the need for the industry standard laminated PE base film.

“Whilst food waste is a massive problem which is being addressed by LINPAC, recyclability of packaging is another key issue,” Mr Davey.

“Our Rfresh Elite trays are revolutionary in their ingenious sealing system, as the new sealant can be removed in the hot wash processes typically used by plastics recyclers. This means a recycled Rfresh Elite tray will yield 100 per cent crystal clear PET – a breakthrough in tray packaging design.”

To further enhance the environmental credentials of the range, Rfresh Elite trays are manufactured from up to 95 per cent post consumer recyclate in a bid to create a closed loop recycling process and have been developed in conjunction with the company’s light weighting programme. The product is the ultimate solution for meat and poultry packers in search of a high performing sustainable packaging option.

“Developing and delivering innovative and efficient packaging solutions which help to reduce the amount of food and packaging entering the waste stream has always been a key objective of LINPAC,” Mr Davey said.

“Fresh thinking is the heart of our company and LINPAC is at the forefront of developing novel packaging solutions for our customers.

“Consumers are demanding brands and retailers produce more efficient packaging, both in terms of their performance and their environmental impact, and at LINPAC we are leading the packaging industry in new developments which address these key demands.”

More innovation
Californian-based Fishbone Packaging has produced ‘The Fishbone’, a consumer and eco-friendly beverage packaging device designed to replace not only plastic multi-pack LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) rings, HDPE (High-density polyethylene) caps and shrink film overwraps.

The Fishbone also reduces the amount of material used in multipack cartons made from the same paperboard material. The Fishbone provides new billboarding opportunity not available with rings and caps, as well as decreasing consumer frustration all while being socially and environmentally responsible.

Saltwater Brewery, a Florida-based craft brewing company, says packaging waste is also harmful to the environment as most plastic beer six‐pack rings end up in the ocean and pose a serious threat to wildlife.

Together with advertising house, WeBelievers, Saltwater Brewery has recently ideated, designed, tested and prototyped the first ever Edible Six Pack Rings. A six‐pack packaging, made with by products of the beer making process, that instead of killing animals, feeds them. They are also 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable.