North East firms call for action of food packaging waste
This follows a Northumbria University study revealing that recyclable plastic trays could be more environmentally friendly than other options, including the commonly used plastic-lined paperboard.
The study argues that the focus should be on recyclability rather than merely reducing plastic usage.
Jonny Catto, managing director of iPac Packaging Innovations, and Jeff Brunskill, managing director at Pakway, shared their views on the findings.
Mr Catto said: “There’s a misconception that if an item such as packaging is made of plastic, then it is unsustainable, but this research makes it irrefutably clear – recyclable plastics like rPET are part of the solution, not the problem.
“The real issue is materials that are very difficult to recycle, like plastic-coated paper trays being mistaken as a more sustainably viable option.
“We need to shift the conversation towards better recycling infrastructure and consumer education.”
The study examined the environmental impact of two common types of food packaging: a fully recyclable rigid plastic tray made from 85 per cent recycled PET (rPET) and a laminated paperboard tray made from virgin materials.
The findings show that while the laminated paperboard tray uses less plastic, it is more difficult to recycle and results in higher carbon emissions due to the extraction and processing of the required raw materials.
In contrast, the tray made from rPET is fully recyclable and reduces waste and reliance on virgin materials.
The lead researcher of the report explained: “This research suggests that simply reducing plastic use is not enough – consideration of recycled content, recyclability, and carbon emissions is crucial.
“Our study argues that rigid plastics designed for recycling are a far more sustainable option than laminated alternatives in food packaging that cannot be processed through standard recycling systems.”
Mr Brunskill said: “This study should serve as a wake-up call for the industry.
“We need solutions that actually work in real-world recycling systems – not just packaging that looks sustainable on the surface.”
The study’s findings have been backed by a consortium of businesses in the food packaging industry, including iPac and Pakway.
The group, called RPETS, is calling on brands, retailers, and policymakers to prioritise packaging that can be recycled.
Their aim is to help ensure that the materials used are not only sustainable but also fit into the current recycling infrastructure.
This, they believe, will lead to real reductions in carbon emissions and environmental impact.