UK Government-funded global research has revealed a “cornucopia” of resource-efficient packaging technologies on the market, which can be employed to speed efforts to cut waste levels in packaged food and product in the retail supply chain and in homes.
The International Packaging Technology Study (IPTS) initiated by the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) identified ways to divert waste from landfill, cut use of energy, water and material, and provide positive economic impacts. It will now evaluate the first 300 or so developments.
The steering group helping to agree the search criteria includes M&S, Boots, Campden BRI Food research centre, MPMA, BPF, British Glass, PAFA, CPI, INCPEN and The Packaging Federation. WRAP says it will present the industry with the business benefits of the study – which will become an “information tool” on its website – in October.
PEC Partnership Limited, environment and cost consultants for packaged goods, is carrying out the research. Speaking at the Starpack Summit at the Institute of Materials, London in May, PEC director Richard Inns said the whole product and packaging journey from manufacture through to disposal must be considered in decision-making.
“A cornucopia of stuff is out there,” said Inns. “We need to tell people what packaging [as an industry] is actually doing.”
