In our latest Wrap-Up … Global plastic treaty talks end in discord. Authorities given EPR forecasts. Firm faces legal challenge over labelling. Supermarket plans to trial new loose products. Plastic recycling rates lagging behind. Faerch launches innovative CPET trays for chilled ready meals. And more …
For Starters ...
Global plastic treaty talks end in discord
The latest round of talks regarding the UN plastic treaty ended without a deal, with disagreements over the inclusion of recycling targets and funding. Despite efforts to create a global framework for tackling plastic pollution, negotiators could not finalise a consensus.
Leaders have pledged to reconvene in 2025 to resolve these issues.
MEANWHILE …
EPR funding forecasts
Local authorities in the UK have received indicative Year 1 payments under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. The funding is expected to support infrastructure improvements and waste management reforms.
Recycling system overhaul
England is set to overhaul its recycling system with new measures to increase recycling rates. The “Simpler Recycling” reforms include a deposit return scheme and improved infrastructure.
BRAND NEW …
Chocolate wrappers papered over
Walkers Chocolates has transitioned its Turkish Delight and Mint Cream chocolate bars to fully recyclable paper wrappers. This new paper wrapper uses Hydropol, which has replaced a conventional plastic liner.
Tyrrellbly good packaging
Tyrrells Crisps has incorporated 25% recycled plastic into its packaging, reducing the need for virgin materials. The company says: “Our packs might feel a bit thinner than they used to, but don't worry, chaps and chapesses, our crisps are just the same and still Tyrrellbly Tyrrellbly Tasty!”
Krafty legal challenge
Kraft Heinz is facing a legal challenge over its Mac & Cheese labelling, alleging that it misleads consumers about its ingredients. The lawsuit claims that the packaging fails to accurately represent the product's artificial colourants, contradicting consumer expectations of "natural" ingredients.
SHOP TALK …
Punnets and paper
Marks & Spencer has launched new paperboard punnets for its organic blueberries and chestnut mushrooms. The move will replace around one million plastic trays.
Penne and paper
Tesco has transitioned to paper containers for its own-brand pasta packs. The retailer projects that this switch will save over 10 million pieces of plastic each year, reducing around 30 tonnes of plastic waste.
Products let loose
Aldi plans to trial 12 new loose fruit and vegetable items to reduce unnecessary packaging. If successful, the supermarket chain will remove an estimated 445 tonnes of packaging annually.
Supermarkets ‘driving waste’
A report has revealed that major supermarkets in Australia are driving plastic waste by charging less for plastic-wrapped produce. The audit shows that pre-wrapped fresh produce is cheaper 73% of the time, with loose potatoes costing customers 53% more on average.
RECYCLING NEWS …
Plastics lagging behind
UK packaging recycling rates have improved for paper (73.4%) and glass (67.8%) but lag for plastics at just 52.5%. DEFRA noted the figures “underline the importance of further innovation in recycling technology” and “a continued push for businesses to meet recycling obligations”.
Guidelines are redesigned
Recoup has released updated recyclability design guidelines to help facilitate packaging recycling. The guidelines encourage packaging designers and specifiers to follow agreed good practices.
New roadmap to navigate
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has published an entirely new version of its “Recycling Roadmap”. It forecasts that a 70% reuse and recycling rate can be achieved by 2035, with 23% of total plastic waste being mechanically recycled and 6% being chemically recycled.
Wishful bins cause contamination
Lancaster University research shows that UK households are "wish cycling" plastic packaging, placing non-recyclable items in recycling bins. The study found that people tend to guess whether food packaging is recyclable based on how the packet feels rather than studying the container to determine whether it is recyclable.
INDUSTRY SNIPPETS …
Hot new packaging
ExxonMobil has developed a fully recyclable thermoformed packaging product featuring 95% polyethylene (PE) content. The energy company says the new packaging design offers a high oxygen barrier, “excellent” optics and enhanced puncture resistance.
US puts labels to the forefront
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule requiring certain nutritional information to be displayed on the front of food packages to assist consumers in making healthier choices.
EU puts labels on the agenda
An EU report has urged greater transparency and stricter regulations for European food labelling. Recommendations include more evident front-of-pack labels to improve consumer understanding and ensure compliance with health standards.
SUSTAINABLE TOPICS …
Patent filings break records
A report has revealed global bioplastics patent filings exceeded 600 in 2022, a 10% rise from 2021. The data suggests increased innovation around sustainable plastic alternatives, especially Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which grew by 58% over the year.
Deposit scheme expands
DEFRA has announced plans to expand its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, launching in October 2027. The scheme excludes Wales and aims to boost recycling with refundable container deposits.
France lays down the law
France has introduced the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC), aiming to eliminate single-use plastics by 2040 through a phased approach. The law promotes product reuse and repair to minimise waste, with specific measures including bans on plastic straws, cutlery, and certain packaging materials.
Supermarkets urged to halve waste
Greenpeace has produced a report showing supermarkets to how halve plastic packaging waste. Recommendations include using reusable packaging, offering refills in stores, and only selling loose fruit and vegetables.
Reusable packaging mushrooms
Belgian retailers are switching to reusable packaging for mushrooms, reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
IN TRAYS …
Ready-meal innovation
Faerch has launched CPET trays for chilled ready meals trays with a minimum of 40% recycled PET (rPET). Faerch is a leading food packaging supplier with integrated recycling capability. Group CEO Lars Gade Hansen said: "We are not just introducing a new product; we are future-proofing recycled content in our CPET-ready meal trays.”
Flexing mussels with packaging
Packaging Automation is exploring new packaging methods for mussels, trialling a shift from thermoforming to partial vacuum and retort systems.
Efficiency seals the deal
G. Mondini has highlighted how it has collaborated with Avara Foods to enhance food packaging efficiency through innovative sealing technologies.
ALTERNATIVELY …
Plain sailing for seaweed funding
B’zeos has raised €10 million to scale up its seaweed-based packaging production. The company has already conducted five paid pilots, including collaborations with partners such as Nestlé, to validate the viability and scalability of its packaging.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY …
From the KM team … protecting, presenting, and preserving your products.