PRODUCTS WAREHOUSING & STORAGE EFSA APPROVAL FOR RECYCLED FOOD-CONTACT PLASTIC CONTAINERS
Grocery retailers can now have their old returnable transit packaging (RTP) recycled into new high quality food grade containers, thanks to Schoeller Allibert’s European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) accredited recycling process. Schoeller Allibert is one of the first RTP
manufacturers to gain EFSA-approval which covers the recycling and remoulding processes at its facilities in Spain, Germany and The Netherlands. The accredited process which covers the recycling of food-grade high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) crates into new containers for food contact has been developed in order to help retailers meet increasing stringent sustainability targets. Traditionally, old or damaged plastic containers would be recycled for other use but could not re-enter the food supply chain as the plastic was not certified for direct contact with fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, meat and fish or bakery products. “When food-grade crates need replacing due to age or damage they can be returned to one of our three EFSA-approved facilities for recycling,” comments chief marketing and innovation officer Ludo Gielen. “Providing they have been used in a closed or controlled loop distribution system which allows traceability of provenance we can recycle used HDPE and PP material and mould into new crates for
use in the food and fresh produce supply chain. Once returned to Schoeller Allibert they are first inspected then ground down into flakes which are washed and dried before being transferred to the injection moulding area. They then begin life as food-contact approved crates and containers; retailers can replace their inefficient legacy fleet with new RTP containers with no pollution or waste, creating a sustainable packaging cycle within weeks. The carbon footprint of RTP is already much lower than disposable packaging and recycling it reduces this even further. In addition, recycled containers cut the capital cost to the retailer.” During the injection moulding process the HDPE or PP flakes are heated up to 250ºC which removes the risk of microbiological contamination as any remaining particles cannot survive at this heat and no additional chemicals are used at any stage of the process to ensure a high quality, hygienic end product. Schoeller Allibert was the first packaging
manufacturer to have the full life cycle carbon footprint of specific products determined and independently verified. This demonstrated that the Product Carbon Footprint of its RTP is on average 68% less than cardboard - just 26 kgCO2e for each of its best-selling Maxinest units which is further reduced when using recycled containers in the production process.
Once returned to Schoeller Allibert crates are first inspected then ground down into flakes which are washed and dried before being transferred to the injection moulding area
“With our recycling facilities now accredited we are able to offer products which enable grocery retailers to meet both sustainability targets and strict food safety and hygiene standards. “The products moulded from recycled
material are fully compliant with Article 4 of the EU Regulation 282/2008, providing our customers with a guarantee of safety and suitability for food contact.”
Schoeller Allibert T: 0121 506 0100
www.schoellerallibert.com Enter 309
Enter 104 / MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS | JULY/AUGUST 2014 S9
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