More packaging would boost the shelf life of foods and so reduce the amount of perishable waste going to landfill, the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) has argued. It pointed out that around seven million tons of edible food ends up in landfill in the UK each year and goes on to claim that better packaging could reduce this volume substantially.
“CPI is pleased to confirm that the packaging industry is playing its part in reducing waste with significant investment in preventative steps such as providing easier opening solutions, clearer date labelling and smaller pack sizes,” the organisation said.
CPI pointed to figures released by The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) on energy consumption in the food supply chain. It claimed that INCPEN’s research shows that primary and secondary packaging makes up 10% of the total energy used in feeding one person for a week, compared to 51% in the production stages and 31% for home storage and cooking.
“Corrugated packaging is playing a pivotal role in supply chain sustainability by ensuring that more food reaches the consumer’s table as safely and efficiently as possible. Corrugated producers have invested heavily in moving from a brown box for goods in transit to a three-in-one shelf ready packaging solution comprising product protection, an advertising platform and merchandiser,” the organisation added.
ASDA’s supply chain director, Gavin Chappell, interviewed by The European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) website, said: “Corrugated packaging plays a crucial role throughout the supply chain from factory or farm to the supermarket and onwards.
“Its naturally cushioning qualities, customised information printed on the packaging for easy identification and easy opening improves the flow of products through the supply chain and avoids waste.”
CPI noted that packaging materials to combat food waste are also being developed, with some supermarkets trialling corrugated board that utilises an ethylene-absorbing agent to slow down fruit and vegetable ripening to help them stay fresher for longer.
CPI’s director of packaging, Andy Barnetson, said: “Diverting waste from landfill sites is very important. The Corrugated Industry is proud to use and promote a sustainable and renewable material, over 80% of which is recycled, saving an area of board the size of Greater London from landfill every four months.
“Packaging helps to protect food in transit as well as preserving its freshness on arrival at retailers. It also uses far less energy in the supply chain than the production and cooking processes. By preventing food from going off, it is saving far more in resources than those used in the packaging itself. The best environmental solution can be more packaging rather than less.”
