AA PAT ON THE BACK
We have been awarded an AA grade in our recent BRC Audit. It's the second year we've gained the double-A grading and our fourth year with a successful audit.
The BRC auditor praised the KM staff on their knowledge and professionalism and was also very impressed with our operational IT systems used to process customer orders and manage stock.
Charles Smithson, KM's MD, said: "I'd like to thank the team for their commitment. Well done!"
FOCUS ON FOOD LOSS and WASTE REDUCTION
That was the awareness day that was
The inaugural "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Reduction" took place on 29th September.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: "Food loss and waste is an ethical outrage. In a world with enough food to feed all people, everywhere, 690 million people continue to go hungry. Let us work together to reduce food loss and waste for the benefit of people and our planet."
No hiding place for flexible packaging
Do not hide. Do not be afraid of working for this industry. We know that we can help society and we have a role to play.
These were the messages from Guido Aufdemkamp, MD of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), in a candid interview with Change & Challenge, including the role of flexible packaging in protecting food and reducing food waste. Some highlights include:
- BIGGEST ISSUE – Flexible packaging is not widely recyclable.
- EDUCATION – People need to be educated not to litter. If we don't collect it, we can't recycle it.
- RESPECT – We can restore respect for plastic packaging.
- BENEFITS – Brand owners and retailers should communicate the sustainability benefits of flexible packaging.
- RESOURCE EFFICIENCY – 40 percent of packaged food in Europe is packed with flexible packaging but the amount of flexible packaging in the entire packaging mix is just 10 percent.
- DEMAND – Urbanisation in developing countries will increase the demand for flexible packaging. We have to become smarter to the benefit of the people of the planet.
Watch the full interview >>
PS: Change & Challenge aims to share knowledge across the industry and value chain, concerned with the impact of food packaging on the environment and the preservation of natural resources along the entire food chain.
Heads up from down under
The Australian Institute of Packaging called for the industry to support the waste awareness day. And its Executive Director, Nerida Kelton, said: "Without adequate packaging design features and fit-for-purpose packaging, food can potentially be wasted through the supply chain to the consumer."
Millions of elephants in the room
In our Lifting the Lid article about food waste, we revealed that 200 million elephants or 900 million compact cars are the equivalent weight of food lost or wasted each year. Which, of course, we're helping to tackle with high-performance packaging for protecting your food, from ready meals to fresh produce, meat, fish, dairy, and plant-based foods.
POST-PANDEMIC OPTIMISM
US-based Food Logistics magazine gave us reasons for some post-pandemic optimism. They include:
- Trend toward cooking and eating at home will remain.
- Smaller packaging sizes formats likely to be more common.
- Sustainable packaging alternatives to gain increasing support.
- Greater market share for plant-based foods.
- Increase in smaller processing and packaging facilities.
THE BBC AND PLASTIC
Show stopping plastic
The Beeb's war on plastic show "was a waste of time and money", according to respected journalist David Burrows. And: "Decisions on packaging have been prone to subjective judgements. The same could be said of Hugh, Anita, and the BBC."
No stopping plastic
New research from Imperial College London claims that "while the BBC documentary 'Blue Planet II' raised environmental awareness, it may not have discouraged people from choosing plastic".
FOOD NEWS BITES
- Latest trends – Download Tastewise's report with the ingredients, dishes, and motivations that are driving the UK's food and beverage scene.
- Back on the menu – UK beef exports to US resume after more than 20 years.
- Reaping rewards – Tesco looks to increase sales of plant-based meat alternatives by 300% in a bid to half the environmental impact of food production.
OTHER MORSELS
- Super sighs – The so-called super-enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles in "a matter of days is "more expensive and slower" than using chemicals, according to one social commentator.
- Last straw – The ban on plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds has come into force in England.
- Alternative views – How sustainable is non-plastic packaging? Brands are taking "a more material agnostic view, which is still easier said than done when people are so angry about plastic".
- Roll ‘n’ Recycle – enabling kerbside recycling of semi-rigid mono-polymer plastics in Australia.
LOOKING AHEAD
RECOUP have been appointed auditors for RecyClass in the UK, the first approved certification system for plastic packaging. They're hosting an "Introduction to RecyClass Pack Certification" webinar next week.
From the KM team … stay safe, keep up the good work, and value plastic.