Unscrambling the myths

If plastics packaging was invented today it would be regarded as one of the greatest technological innovations to rank alongside the wheel and the printed book and would, crucially, be seen as a key driver in the 21st Century’s green economy.

Bold stuff, but it is true. Just think for a minute – try to imagine a world without packaging. The manufacture, transport, distribution and consumption of virtually every consumer good would be impossible.

Today, under increasing pressure to develop products which are lighter and more recyclable, packaging companies are working smarter than ever before to deliver solutions which are fit for purpose and which, simultaneously, tick all the right boxes for the planet.

The environmental debate is very much focused around the negative impact of packaging. However, the myths about packaging are so ingrained, and championed by certain environmental lobbying groups, that the truth is rarely heard; or if it is, it’s trampled on by a very powerful minority. So, let’s address some of those myths, one be one.

First, even before the food meets the tray, the packaging sector is faced with allegations of consuming huge amounts of energy and resources during manufacture. The reality is that the carbon footprint of packaging is nearly always dwarfed by that of the product it is protecting; in the case of food, it accounts for just 6.5% of the food supply chain.

It also has to be recognised that the environmental savings in the area of packaging are insignificant. That does not give packaging manufacturers the right to dismiss the issue; indeed many, aware of the spotlight on them, are driving through initiatives to minimise their environmental impact. But other links in the supply chain need to look at their own environmental credentials and consider changing the way they operate as well as focusing on the packaging itself.

Then there is the argument that the majority of packaging is simply unnecessary. Yet, food packaging is essential to protect and preserve. Packaging gives food a longer shelf life and in turn significantly reduces the amount of food waste. If a little extra packaging prevents food waste, this can dramatically reduce the amount of resources and energy used overall.

While £12 billion worth of food, (equating to almost 8m tonnes) is being binned each year, food packaging waste is less than half this figure. Choosing packaging which effectively preserves food is one of the greenest things you can do! It is the best way to reduce food waste and thus make the most of a precious resource.

Furthermore, claims that packaging, and in particular plastic packaging, is one of the biggest threats to the environment are unfounded. In terms of its impact in the waste stream, less than 3% of solid waste is packaging, and today 60% of that is recovered or recycled.

The amount of packaging and food waste sent to landfill continues to influence food producers’ packaging choices and packaging companies, including Linpac Packaging, are working with retailers and packers to develop products that are innovative, groundbreaking and environmentally sound.

At Linpac, we understand the need to offer a range of sophisticated solutions, and manufacture a range of PET, PP and PS absorbent foam trays. We use the minimum amount of material needed for packaging to be fit for purpose and effectively to protect, preserve and present food. As process technologies have improved at Linpac, it has been possible to reduce the weight of rigid trays by approximately 15% over the last two years alone.

We have invested heavily in the production of our Rfresh trays, which contain more than 50% post-consumer recycled content. The trays offer extended shelf life to meat products, enhanced further when the trays are used in conjunction with a compatible lidding film such as LINtop PE. Where facilities exist, the trays can also be recycled after use.

Increasing pressures from governments to cut packaging waste through the implementation of green taxes will lead to a resurgence in the real carbon footprint winner – foam polystyrene, the ultimate solution in cutting packaging weight.

EPS is the lightest of packaging materials produced by Linpac Packaging. It is made from 90% air and does not produce greenhouse gases on disposal, plus the energy consumption used in its manufacture can be recovered through incineration.

Plastics packaging has taken such a large share of the packaging market precisely because it is the most cost effective solution to deliver performance. Cost effective means resource efficient – and to be resource efficient means to be environmentally efficient too.

Views expressed on this page are those of the author and may not be shared by this publication.