FOR STARTERS …
MAJOR PROJECT LAUNCHED FOR RECYCLING OF FLEXIBLES
The UK’s largest collaborative project to support the household collection and recycling of flexible plastic packaging has been launched.
The multi-million-pound FlexCollect initiative will provide local authorities with financial support and expertise to deliver a series of collection and recycling pilots until 2025.
A key aim is to support the government’s plan to introduce household collections of recyclable plastic film and flexible packaging in England by March 2027.
The project launch follows Defra’s recent response to the consultation on introducing an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme (EPR), including that modulated fees based on recyclability will be introduced in 2025.
Our C-Range products provide compostable and biodegradable lidding films and other packaging that looks and feels similar to conventional plastic.
UK LEADS THE WAY
The UK Plastics Pact has been working to transform what they call “our broken plastics system” since 2018. In this video from WRAP, you can discover a summary of:
- What progress has been made,
including 10% less plastics on supermarket shelves.
- The challenges that lie ahead,
including increased investment in the recycling infrastructure.
- The future of sustainable plastics packaging,
including when recycling any plastic is clear and easy
AUSTRALIA MAKES A PLEDGE
A Recycled Materials Pledge has been launched by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). The initiative will challenge major brands to publicly commit to the volumes of specific materials they will transition from virgin materials to recycled materials by 2025.
21 COUNTRIES GET GUIDES
Waste Stream Mapping Guides for 21 countries have been launched by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) as part of its Global Packaging Design for Recycling Guide programme.
EUROPE INCREASES CAPACITY
The plastics recycling capacity in Europe increased by 13% in 2020, compared to the previous year, according to data from Plastics Recyclers Europe.
Flexible polyolefins took a 28% share of the total, with flexible PE and PP capacity increased by around 10%.
MEAT AND VEG, TOO
Packaging for meat products was a strong focus this month at IFFA (the World’s Leading Trade Fair – Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins). Innovations for this market include our high barrier mono lidding film solutions.
Also this month, National Vegetarian Week raised awareness of packaging for the meat alternative market. An example is our range of vegan suitable solutions that offer an animal-free alternative for plant-based products.
PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON PLASTIC
Heinz tomato ketchup will be made available in paper bottles in a move to drive progress towards Heinz’s sustainable packaging goals. The initiative has received global publicity, but not everyone is convinced by the brand’s saucy claims.
For example, journalist David Burrows argues, “Just because it’s not plastic doesn’t mean it’s more sustainable”.
SMART SOLUTION TO OUTDATED USE BY LABELS
Brands are ditching “use by” dates, not least because their misapplication contributes to food waste.
Andrew Manly, communications director of AIPIA (the Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association), has highlighted the benefits of alternative smart packaging solutions such as condition monitoring and freshness indicators.
SHOP TALK
- War hits target: Iceland is set to miss its target of removing all plastic from its own-brand products this year due to the pandemic and war in Ukraine. UK managing director Richard Walker said Iceland’s supply chain was in “survival mode” to overcome disruption and keep stock on the shelves.
- Packaging shrinks away: Aldi is removing plastic shrink wrap from the multipacks of its Corale baked beans. The move will save 78 tonnes of single-use plastic from going to landfill.
SPOTLIGHT ON KM …
John’s back in show business
Recorded live at AUSPACK 2022, KM's John Shipley talked exclusively to PKN Packaging News about business, challenges, recent lidding film news, and how great it is to be back in the market connecting with people face-to-face!
John also told us: “The big message at the show regarding lidding films is the importance of reducing food waste, minimising carbon emissions, and making sensible packaging design decisions based on these and the application or product.”
This message is reflected in PKN’s article last year when John argued that minimising carbon emissions and reducing food waste are the two most significant global challenges for the next century and beyond.
- Also on the road again … Proseal showcased their meat and poultry packing at IFFA … Packaging Automation have exhibited their new ground-breaking tray sealer at Fruit Logistica … i2r Packaging Solutions can be found on Stand K82 at Packaging Innovations.
In the Press …
Our compostable bags for Nonna Tonda’s fresh pasta delivery service made headlines within various channels (for example, KBP Magazine, Perishable News, Packaging Scotland, and NS Packaging).
International infopack are the latest to cover Best Berries’ usage of K-Reseal, our lidding film range that can be repeatedly opened and resealed to the tray.
NEWS BITES
- Waste not want not: The BBC has looked at how to use food waste for good.
- Supermarket secrets: Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped team went behind the supermarket scenes – from ready meals to the war on waste.
- Flying high with cooking oil: The world’s first net-zero transatlantic flight will take to the skies next year. It will be powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a low-emissions fuel made from waste materials like used cooking oil.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Packaging Innovations
The future of branded packaging and technology
May 25 10:00 - 17:00 & May 26 10:00 - 16:00
Hall 1 NEC Birmingham
From the KM team … stay safe, keep up the good work, and value plastic.