If we are to reduce food waste, packaging must continue to improve.
This is the view of Alan Davey, the director of innovation at food packaging manufacturer Linpac (pictured below).
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation says close to one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, amounting to around 1.3 billion tonnes per year.
Davey, a keynote speaker at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Conference that kicks off in Melbourne tomorrow, discussed why packaging in itself is a green technology, protecting and preserving food throughout the supply chain – therefore reducing food waste.
Davey argues that rPET packaging sets the standard in packaging sustainability.
Linpac manufactures fully recyclable rPET rigid packaging for meat, fish and poultry in Australia, as well as supplying a range of innovative packaging solutions for bakery, prepared and chilled foods and fruit and vegetables in conjunction with its global INFIA and barrier films businesses.
Linpac has brought to market Rfresh HB and Rfresh Elite, both fully recyclable at the end of use.
The super lightweight, mono-material tray uses a patented sealant on the tray flange to create a secure seal with the lidding film. This removes the need for the industry standard laminated PE base film.
“While food waste is a massive problem, recyclability of packaging is another key issue,” Davey says.
“The sealant on the Rfresh Elite trays can be removed in the hot wash processes typically used by plastics recyclers.
“This means a recycled Rfresh Elite tray will yield 100 per cent crystal clear PET.”
