Lies, damned lies, and the statistics of plastics

FOR STARTERS …

LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND THE STATISTICS OF PLASTICS

EXCLUSIVE: Any politician who votes for the Plastic Packaging Tax is too lazy, too stupid, or too corrupt, according to Dr Chris DeArmitt. The world-class plastic materials scientist has been speaking exclusively to us about plastics' science, facts, and fiction.

And he pulls no punches in a wide-ranging interview that includes: "Science shows that plastics are usually the greenest choice. They generate only 0.5% of all waste, and they are proven to reduce waste dramatically."

PET PET POINTS
Recycling first for shops

Dedicated recycling points for flexible pet food packaging made from PET and other plastics are being introduced by Pets at Home in what is claimed to be an industry first.

The company is working with recycler Enval, which has developed a microwave-induced pyrolysis process that recycles and recovers flexible, rigid, and complex plastics.

KINDER SURPRISE
Packaging changes for chocolate

Chocolate manufacturer Ferrero plans to introduce thinner packaging and a plastic alternative. The Kinder Bueno outer packaging will be down-gauged by 20%, and paper film will be trialled in the push for sustainability.

TAXING MATTER
Are we ready for the levy?

The countdown has started to the introduction of the Plastic Packaging Tax in April next year. But will we be ready, asks Plastics in Packaging.

KM provides lidding films with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content so please get in touch if you’d like more information.

IN TRAYS

American Dream: Faerch Group now has a presence in the US market, following the purchase of MCP Performance Plastic. The deal is part of the company's long-term growth strategy.

CLASS SEALING

Skin care: Proseal have been highlighting their vacuum skin packaging solutions. At KM, we offer K Skin; a highly protective film specifically developed for vacuum packaging food items.

Coming soon: Something's simmering over at Packaging Automation with the tease, "It's coming soon…. It's a world first! Very exciting news!" Watch their space.

COMPOST MATERIAL

• LAW AND ORDER: Co-op hopes new legislation will encourage shoppers to use their compostable carrier bags to help food waste collection and reduce food waste.
• IT'S IN THE BAG: Our C BAG proved to be ideal for two fresh produce growers who had been searching for a compostable solution.
• FITS THE BILL: The COMPOST Act is a new federal bill in the US that aims to advance composting infrastructure and support across the country proactively.

RAMPANT PLANT GROWTH
Increasing appetite for organic foods

Plant-based foods are poised for explosive growth, according to a new report. It's projected they could make up to 7.7% of the global protein market by 2030, with a value of over £117 billion.

At the same time, we anticipate increasing demand for our vegan-suitable films that offer an animal-free alternative for plant-based products.

REFRESHING CHANGE
Partnerships to tackle food waste

An EU project, REFRESH, is examining how private and public stakeholders can work together to turn food waste into worthwhile commodities. The aim is to significantly tackle the current problem that 20% of all food produced in the EU ends up in landfill sites or as animal feed.

ECO-LOGICAL LABELS
New rating system

A new environmental labelling system is about to be piloted. It will rate products according to their farming, processing, packaging, and transport footprints.

EVERY DAY IS A SCHOOL DAY

• LESSONS IN RECYCLING: An online recycling resource kit has been launched to educate students about recycling plastics and the science of polymers. The initiative from the British Plastics Federation (BPF), in conjunction with PlasticsEurope and Recoup, is tied to the national curriculum and hopes to turn students into "recycling champions".
• FLEXIBLE PACKAGING AT A GLANCE: CEFLEX have published an easy-to-consult summary of the key materials used in flexible packaging structures, the barrier and other properties they provide, and their typical uses.  
• PLASTICS MADE SIMPLE: An introduction to plastic materials has been created by Phantom Plastics to "help the masses of people who need to understand plastics quickly and easily".

WRAPPING UP THE WRAP-UP …

• IT MIGHT NOT WASH: Proposals to tackle greenwash might prove to be a lot harder to put into practice, suggests PN editor Philip Chadwick.
• FUNGAL GROWTH: A chance discovery at Biohm has led to scientists working on a fungus that may be able to digest hard-to-recycle plastics.
• WE HEAR YOU: Listening to customers is our stock in trade. Here's how we're delivering the things you want.

 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

• Chemical Recycling 2021: What Does the Future Hold? – 14th September, BPF seminar.
• Recyclable Mono-Material Packaging Solutions  – 17th September, virtual event hosted by the Centre for Management Technology.
• Packaging Innovations – 22-23rd September, London Olympia.
• Interplas – 28-30th September, NEC Birmingham.

PS: PLASTIC FLYING SUITS

EASYJET has announced that 45 recycled plastic bottles will be used to make each of its new staff uniforms.

From the KM team … stay safe, keep up the good work, and value plastic.