Food loss and food waste remain a big challenge. How are packaging companies working to help address this problem while striking a balance between the sustainability of the packaging materials used and their function to keep food fresh? Elisabeth Skoda speaks to Thomas Kahl, EcoSolutions Project Manager at Mondi, to get the companys take on the issue.
ES: What is Mondi doing to make consumers more aware of the potential packaging has for food waste reduction?
TK: Consumers are increasingly aware of the need for more sustainable choices, which includes wasting less food. We collaborate with our customers and work to ensure we ask the right questions to find the best possible packaging solutions for their business, their product and the planet. Together with brands and retailers we have a responsibility to design packaging that balances functionality and sustainability. Shelf life, product protection, portion control and food waste reduction are key for product development. This is particularly true for the fresh fruit and vegetable category, but also meat, cheese and other refrigerated products. If the right packaging is used, it can help prevent food spoilage; protect food from physical damage while being transported as well as helping consumers buy the right amount, providing convenience and portion control.
ES: How would you describe the advantages/limitations of cardboard/paper and flexible packaging for food respectively?
TK: We are seeing increasing interest from our customers in replacing plastic food packaging with paper-based solutions. In many cases, we work with customers to enhance the capabilities of paper-based packaging by adding functional barrier properties to give the required technical functionalities that help to extend shelf life and avoid waste for high value products such as sliced meats or cheese. For example, our PerFORMing removable consists of a paper tray and fully removable plastic which can easily be separated from the tray. The paper can be fully recycled in existing waste streams across Europe. A key advantage of using paper-based solutions is the combination of renewable material and recycability and that consumers are clear on how to dispose of it correctly. Paper is the most recycled material in the world today and the recycling rate for paper is 72% in Europe, meaning paper-based solutions are far more likely to be recycled and turned into another product at the end-of-life point, becoming part of the circular economy.There are, however, certain applications where plastic solutions provide essential functionality, such as barrier properties and shelf-life extension for example in the baby and dehydrated food and pet food category. The relative benefits of paper, including being renewable and recyclable, should always be factored in. And, with increased R&D being carried out both on paper and plastic, we hope it will be possible to achieve a similar degree of packaging efficiency with paper solutions and ensure plastic is recyclable.
ES: What are the different challenges across the value chain (for example transport, keeping fresh in the consumers fridge after the pack has been opened etc.)
TK: In Europe, roughly half of food loss occurs before food gets to the point of consumption: 23% happens in production; 12% occurs in handling, storage and transport after harvesting; nine per cent is lost in the distribution across European markets and five per cent occurs with processing. The remainder of waste is from consumers, caterers and restaurants. There are unique challenges at every point of the value chain, but one focus area for us is how food items are transported to consumers as this is a critical loss point for fresh fruit and vegetables. For example, bruising and other damage is largely down to inadequate bulk packaging. In Europe consumer food waste is highest across food groups which need to be refrigerated or handled with care but also by excess buying, confusion over labels (best before vs. use by) and poor in-home storage. As we see a rise in e-grocery across Europe, this is going to become a greater issue.
ES: What is the process for determining what material is best for what food application?
TK: The foremost function of packaging is to protect what is inside, during production, storage and transportation. If this is not the case, the resources used in producing both the food and the packaging itself will be wasted. By partnering with customers using our EcoSolutions approach, we are able to create sustainable packaging that is fit-for-purpose. At the heart of this is asking the right questions across the value-chain from retailers to recyclers to balance the needs of business, product and planet - using paper where possible, plastic when useful. We work with our partners, suppliers and customers to: replace less sustainable products with new solutions; reduce the amount of raw material used; and develop packaging solutions designed to be recycled. At a practical level, the first step is to identify the challenge, then undertake analysis and only then do we create a number of packaging solutions to test and review. At the end of this process we are left with a product which is truly fit-for-purpose.
ES: Could you give us some examples of applications that were successful in reducing food waste?
TK: Coral Tray is a new packaging tray made of 100% recyclable corrugated board for transporting fresh produce like tomatoes. It balances the ability to see the fresh product, which is key for consumers, with stability for stacking and protection for the product. The robust corrugated board ensures the product is extremely well protected against damage both in the shopping basket or on the way home with the consumer. The open structure of the box allows air to circulate reducing the risk of condensation and mould forming. Earlier this year we also worked with Austrian meat producer Huetthaler to create a new fully recyclable plastic packaging for their meat and sausage products. The solution we developed minimises food waste by providing packaging that is air tight, with fat, oxygen, aroma and moisture barriers as well as reducing total raw materials used, all without compromising the attractive presentation of the food inside.
Continue reading here:
Food packaging: Balancing functionality and sustainability - Packaging Europe
- About Us - Life Extension - December 19th, 2016 [December 19th, 2016]
- Real Life Extension: Caloric Restriction or Intermittent ... - January 27th, 2017 [January 27th, 2017]
- Bruce Power invests millions in maintenance | The London Free Press - London Free Press - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Extension Spotlight: The importance of a good education | Life ... - NRToday.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- From Confines Of Russia, Controversial Stem-Cell Surgeon Tries To Weather Scandal - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Volm Companies' Matt Alexander Talks Light-Blocker Half-N-Half Bags - And Now U Know - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Plymouth warship HMS Argyll sets sail again after 20-month refit - Plymouth Herald - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- 'Orphan Black' Final Season Premiere Date Set at BBC America - Yahoo TV (blog) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Radical Life Extension Is Already Here, But We're Doing it ... - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Biotechnology xpert Jamie Metzl addresses realities of genetics revolution, Feb. 9 - Vail Daily News - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- ATS Automation Tooling Systems' (ATSAF) CEO Anthony Caputo on Q3 2016 Results - Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Weslaco ISD Students Re-Stripe Crosswalk to Promote School Zone Safety - RGVProud - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- There is No Limit to Human Life Extension - Futurism - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Weaving the practice of self-compassion into your life - Michigan State University Extension - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Italian company competes for $16B US Air Force jet trainer contract - Dayton Daily News - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Human Life Could Be Extended Indefinitely, Study Suggests - EconoTimes - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- DARPA hits snag in GEO satellite service plan - Network World - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- My Mother is 100. She Does't Need Andrew Weil's 'Healthy Aging' You do - The Good Men Project - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Orbital ATK Sues DARPA Over Satellite-Repairing Robots | Inverse - Inverse - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Double-blind, randomized crossover study of intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate - PR Newswire (press release) - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- SRS's Melter 2 to be replaced | News | northaugustastar.com - The Star - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- The Next Pseudoscience Health Craze Is All About Genetics - Gizmodo - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- These Serious Marathoners Lived 19 Years Longer Than Average - Runner's World - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Why Do People Want to Live So Long, Anyway? - TIME - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- How Silicon Valley Is Trying to Hack Its Way Into a Longer Life - TIME - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Major South African coal extension project on cards South32 - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- When Screening for Disease, Risk is as Important to Consider as ... - University of Virginia - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- John Killebrew: Honoring a life of service - Delta Farm Press - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- No limit to how long we could extend our lives, say researchers - EWN - Eyewitness News - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Extension: Taking care of the rocks in your life - Lifestyle - The ... - Carthage Press - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Long life expectancy for Leopard [IDEX17D3] - IHS Jane's 360 - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- A UO lab digs into worms in the quest to lengthen human life - AroundtheO - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- L3 MAPPS to Supply Digital Control Computer System Hardware for Bruce Unit 6, Supporting Life Extension and ... - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant... - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Kambalda faces future with no nickel output - The West Australian - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- L3 MAPPS to Supply Digital Control Computer System Hardware for ... - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers (press release)... - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- This Company With Anti-Aging Drug Is Secretly Preparing For Trump's New FDA - Forbes - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Weather Radar in Amarillo Gets Upgrade - Guymondailyherald - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- PACKAGING INNOVATIONS 2017: Anti-microbial absorbent pads ... - WorldPressOnline (press release) - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- A business case for wind farm lifetime extension - Windpower Engineering (press release) - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Mount Tam With Anti-Aging Drug Is Secretly Preparing For Trump's New FDA - ValueWalk - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Derek Carr passionate about Silver and Black: 'I'm a Raider for life' - The Mercury News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Bruce Power Life Extension Project On Top - Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Derek Carr on Contract Extension: I'm a Raider for life - Just Blog Baby (blog) - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- How this Baltimore company is using AI to make supplements smarter - Technical.ly Brooklyn - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Rio cut takes the shine off Argyle - The West Australian - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Bruce Power Life-Extension Program ranked top infrastructure project of 2017 - southwesternontario.ca - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Metformin And Rapamycin: Signs Of (Extended) Life? How To Monetize? - Seeking Alpha - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Il-76 flown beyond service life before fatal engine explosion - Flightglobal - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Your Questions About Silicon Valley's Quest to Live Forever, Answered - The New Yorker - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Cormorant, Griffon upgrade projects get new lift - Skies Magazine (press release) - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Garoppolo wants to play, open to extension - ESPN - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Refixia (nonacog beta pegol; N9-GP) approved - GlobeNewswire (press release) - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- New life breathed into decades-old dream of a Cavendish extension ... - Montreal Gazette - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Some JSTARS aircraft could fly into 2034 - Flightglobal - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Cormorant, Griffon upgrade projects get new lift - Vertical Magazine (press release) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- The Ugly: Post #3 on the NNSA's FY2018 Budget Request - All Things Nuclear - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Kincardine Company To Add Jobs To Support Bruce Power - BlackburnNews.com - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Latin American sisters in US 'build bridges' during 'challenging time' - Catholic News Service - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Modernizing Nuclear Deterrents No. 1 Priority, DoD Officials Tell ... - Department of Defense - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- EXTENSION CORNER: It's crucial for producers to know how to manage weeds - Gadsden Times - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Robot Bina48 Makes a Guest Appearance at 'Stitch and Bitch' - Seven Days - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Patriots WR Julian Edelman's father would love his son to be "a Patriot for life" - Pats Pulpit - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Orphan Black: 3 Major Revelations From the Season 5 Premiere - TV Guide (blog) - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- GARDENING: Harvest tomatoes before the birds do - Odessa American - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- 'Orphan Black' Season 5 Premiere Recap: Life is Tough on and off the Island - BuddyTV (blog) - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Griffon helicopter replacement not in the cards for the Liberals anytime soon - Ottawa Citizen - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- DFI Marketing uses new post-harvest technology with melon exports - The Packer - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Elio Motors Given An Extension To Bring Its Three-Wheeled Vehicle ... - Jalopnik - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Rec tax extension moves closer to November ballot - West Life News - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Bioverativ announces FDA acceptance of Investigational New Drug ... - EconoTimes - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Charlie Gard: European Court orders life support extension - BBC News - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Extension Spotlight: Are you ready to preserve the harvest? | Life ... - NRToday.com - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- The Case of the Missing Numbers - All Things Nuclear - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Hacking the human lifespan / Boing Boing - Boing Boing - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- CNO Richardson: Perry Frigates Only Inactive Hulls Navy Considering Returning to Active Fleet; DDG Life Extension ... - USNI News - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- USAF seeks to expand F-16 life-extension program - Quwa - Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Baker proposes $500M life sciences extension - Worcester Business Journal - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Life Extension News | March 2017 Issue | Life Enhancement ... - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Pop-culture-palooza - Mountain View Voice - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Kids experience a day in the life of a scientist - Scottsbluff Star Herald - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]