Sustainability in packaging is simply products that over time reduce its environmental footprint.
With businesses now rebuilding from Covid 19, Sustainability is again becoming a major focus. For example, McDonalds has announced it will be 100% renewable and recyclable by 2025. (ref.bbc.com)
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What is sustainability in packaging?
- Using less packaging
- Using less plastic, in all forms
- Using 100% biodegradable, compostable and recyclable materials
- Manufacturers using less emissions
Sustainable Packaging must be 100% Recyclable, Biodegradable or Compostable. For more details see below.
Recyclable
Most recyclable packaging is made from recycled paper materials and can be recycled up to 7 – 8 times. For example our Paper Medicine Cups are made from recycled paper and can replace the plastic medicine cup.
Another example of recyclable packaging is replacing the plastic lids for drink delivery cups to a paper option. Sispak machines use paper lids and seal the lids to the paper cups therefore making them leak proof and perfect for delivery.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable packaging is produced using biopolymers, which are molecules often found in living organisms. They can be safely consumed, degrade quickly. Items made from cardboard are biodegradable, an example of this is our Tubz range, containers used for Ice Cream.
Compostable
Made from plant-based, recycled materials packaging can return to earth quickly and safely as soil when disposed of in the right environmental condition. Our Sugar Cane Cutlery is a great example, made from sugar cane bagasse it is 100% compostable.
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Past, Present and Future Packaging
Past Materials that have been used in food packaging include glass, metals (aluminum, foils and laminates, tinplate, and tin-free steel), paper and paperboards, and plastics.
Presently Sustainable Packaging can be made from recycled paper materials, sugar cane, bamboo, bagasse just to name a few.
In the Future Edible packaging is being developed to make packaging completely sustainable. Such as Coffee Cups made from wafers, edible wrapping paper for sandwiches. New packaging and ideas are being developed daily.
Watch this space for more information on Sustainability and Packaging.
