FOR STARTERS …
KEY PLASTICS TOPICS EXPLAINED AND EXPLORED
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has published a comprehensive new document, Plastics Explained: Exploring the Key Topics, which features key areas of political and social interest.
It covers legislation, such as Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Schemes, the Plastic Packaging Tax, and Consistent Collections, alongside other topics including Export of Plastic Waste, Chemical Recycling, and Marine Litter.
The document has been provided to MPs to deliver key insights into these complex issues and outline the positive action being taken by the UK plastics industry.
You can download the Full Document and the Executive Summary here.
Items of particular note include:
- A circular economy is more likely to be developed if all plastic packaging – including flexibles – is collected for recycling.
- The lack of a suitable collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure for plastic in the UK can be addressed by reinvesting money raised by the Plastic Packaging Tax.
- Chemical recycling is the missing link necessary to achieve a truly circular economy for plastics.
- Various barriers require to be addressed if chemical recycling is to be able to make its full contribution.
- Bio-based, biodegradable, and oxo-degradable plastics do not provide a viable solution to reducing the amount of plastic that wrongly ends up in the natural environment.
- The use of biodegradable products should be discouraged unless they are certified compostable to recognised standards.
SHOP AND DROP
Largest amount of in-store recycling points
Sainsbury's has rolled out the UK's largest amount of in-store recycling points for flexible plastics. The front-of-store points in 520 of its supermarkets can be used for items not commonly accepted for kerbside collection by local authorities, including crisp packets, food pouches, salad bags, as well as biscuit and cake wrappers.
SWEET STEAK TRAYS
Home-compostable packaging hits the shelves
ALDI has launched home-compostable steak trays in stores across Ireland. The trays are made from sugarcane and will package the company's Specially Selected Irish steaks range.
Compostable packaging – like our C-Range of products – can reduce the amount of plastic-contaminated food waste often burned or sent to landfill. In this case, ALDI says the move will save more than 67 tonnes of plastic every year.
ORGANIC GROWTH
New approach to compostables down under
A comprehensive new approach to how Australia can develop an environmentally sustainable system for compostable packaging has been released by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).
Packaging News has provided detail on the National Compostable Packaging Strategy, illustrated using a sugarcane tray protected by our K PEEL printed lidding film.
The strategy includes how and where compostable packaging should be applied, how it can support the recovery of food waste, and how to ensure compostable packaging is recovered at end-of-life and has beneficial end uses.
It also highlights problematic materials that are being phased out, including oxo-degradable or fragmentable plastics.
IN THE LOOPP
Unilever boosts recycling challenge
The effort to create food-grade recycled Polypropylene (rPP) from post-consumer packaging waste has gained a boost with Unilever joining Nextek's global project NEXTLOOPP.
With other partners, they aim to meet the challenge to produce rPP that conforms to regulatory standards for use in food packaging through conventional mechanical recycling.
RECYCLED SOLUTION
Lidding film with PCR content
To meet the growing demand for packaging with post-consumer recycled content, we can provide PET lidding film with PCR content for applications that do not require heating. For example, a lidding film for soft fruits packaged in pulp or clear plastic (APET) trays.
This solution is currently available in our K-Peel 3G and 7G range, so please get in touch if you would like more information.
ONES TO WATCH
- Shopping channel: The UK's biggest supermarket was in the TV spotlight as Fiona Phillips presented an in-depth documentary about Tesco, its history and current state of health.
- Challenging perceptions: Dow packaging has teamed up with biologist Dr Sally Le Page to dive into the world of Design for Recyclability. Sally challenges perceptions on the environmental impact of the materials used to package items we use every day.
- Saving waste: With Euro 2020 well underway, this fun video reminds us how to protect the environment with every save.
LESS IS MORE
Consumers will pay premium for healthy ready meals
Most consumers care about the ingredients and the technology used to make their microwavable dinners and other ready meals, according to a new study from the Washington State University.
The study found that many consumers were willing to pay a premium for ready-to-eat meals with a "clean label" showing few ingredients and less additives or preservatives.
They also eat with their eyes which is one reason we provide lidding film solutions to some of the largest ready meal producers in the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia.
IN OTHER NEWS
Meals deal: Kerry Group has agreed to sell its meats and meals business in the UK and Ireland to Pilgrim's Pride for £704m.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
And …
- It will be ready meals or takeaways (as sponsored by Just Eat) for:
England vs Germany (Euro 2020) – 5pm, 29th June, BBC One, BBC iPlayer, talkSPORT.
From the KM team … stay safe, keep up the good work, and value plastic.