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2019/09/24
Trends in Packaging: Recycling, Fewer and Alternative Materials (part 1 of 2)
Trends in Packaging: Recycling, Fewer and Alternative Materials
Source from: https://bioplasticsnews.com/2019/04/10/trends-in-packaging-recycling-fewer-and-alternative-materials/
Packaging in supermarkets is under fire. The public debate and the changing public opinion regarding plastic packaging encourage supermarkets and their suppliers to reduce the mountain of packaging material. They’re mostly dedicated to reducing the use of packaging and using recyclable materials.
For example, Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn says they used four million kilograms less packaging material in 2018. In 2020, they aim to use 20 million kilograms less packaging material – that’s a reduction of 25 per cent – and all packaging will be recyclable.
Jumbo is striving for a reduction of packaging for their own brand, and to become more sustainable where possible. Aldi is working on making at least 70 per cent of their packaging recyclable by 2020. Lidl has as its goal a reduction of plastic by at least 25 per cent by 2025. By that time, Lidl wants 100 per cent of its own packaging to be recyclable.
Plastic Pact NL
The fact that this issue is more general than just consumers and supermarkets is clear from Plastic Pact NL. A large number of companies that uses and produces plastic, but also environmental and social organisations, have made agreements with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to simplify the plastic supply chain and to close it.
Plastic Pact NL has as its goal a reduction in the use of plastic, using recyclable materials more and they’re striving for 100 per cent recyclability.
This should result in 20 per cent less volume in plastic (in kilos) compared to the total volume of marketed products (compared to the use of this in 2017).
As a result, the expectation is that at least the total volume of one-use plastic products and packaging will decrease.
Another agreement is that all one-use plastic products and packaging should contain a percentage of recycled plastics as high as possible, with a minimum average of 35 per cent per company.
Additionally, as many sustainably produced bio-based plastics should be used to reduce the use of primary fossil plastics.
Plastic-free concept
Although the use of sustainable packaging mostly seemed a prerogative for organic products in the past, a lot of producers are now looking for an alternative to plastic under pressure from retail and initiatives such as Plastic Pact NL.
Various alternatives exist for the use of plastic. For example, FruitMasters launched a completely plastic-free concept for apples.
Customers can choose a cardboard punnet with lid that is completely recyclable, in addition to the well-known fruit punnet with its plastic wrap. As of the new fruit season, a new mono-concept is available for packed apples per four or six.
“With this new packaging, FruitMasters, the largest fruit cooperative in the Netherlands for both national and international fruit growers, invests in making the entire fruit supply chain more sustainable,” says Hans Sengers, retail manager for FruitMasters. “A completely sustainable fruit supply chain with attention paid to people, the environment and returns. That’s the ambition of FruitMasters, its growers and its customers.”