NEWS Compostable coup for Glasgow firm


A range of soft produce trays from Glasgow firm Robert Cullen Ltd has been described as “arguably the UK’s greenest packaging product” by the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA).


Presenting the Maryhill-based firm with a special certificate at the Resource Efficiency and Waste


Management (RWM)


show in September, the REA’s Gordon Thompson commented: “Congratulations to Cullens on this unique achievement. There are a lot of companies out there recycling waste materials, and a number making compostable packaging, but Cullens is the first in the UK to gain certification for doing both at once.” He added: “This is a truly innovative project which really raises the bar for resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. Let’s hope it is the first of many!” Cullens recycles wastage from its core business of manufacturing cardboard boxes to make soft


produce trays


for packaging fruit, vegetables and fungi in grocers and supermarkets.


While there is


still considerable confusion about compostability,


with


many products marketed as “biodegradeable”


without


having gone through the necessary certification that would ensure compatibility with the composting facilities used at municipal waste management facilities,


there is broad acceptance of the European Brief News in


(Clockwise from top) Cullens’ core business activity is the manufacture of cardboard boxes; the waste from this activity is used to make soft produce trays; the trays can be used to store fruit, veg and fungi.


standard EN 13432, which


defines some of the conditions under which a product must satisfactorily break down to be deemed “compostable”. Cullen’s products can carry the Seedling logo,


European


Bioplastics’ certification scheme for ‘products made of compostable materials’, which is managed by Berlin-based certification body DIN CERTCO and denotes compliance with EN 13432. Ken Blake,


Quality & Systems Manager at Cullens, said: “We’re delighted that our commitment to the environment in


producing


clean technology products has been officially mandated by this certification. Our cost- effective


friendly products are designed to reduce labour costs and save


space while providing superior protection.


“In line with food industry objectives to replace harmful plastic waste currently going to


landfill, our products are Manufacturing, and environmentally


now being introduced to fruit packers and supermarket shelves throughout the country, and we are proud to be the first company in the UK to set the standard for the future. “The support and assistance from REAL and DIN CERTCO in completing this difficult task was invaluable to us, and we would certainly proceed in the same manner with these partners for any future packaging certification requirements.” Cullens’ trays are one of only a handful of certified compostable packaging products made from recycled materials anywhere in the world.


First UK drinks carton recycling plant


THE UK’s only dedicated beverage carton recycling facility has been opened in Stainland (near Halifax), West Yorkshire. Capable of recycling up to 40% (25,000 tonnes) of the cartons manufactured each year for the UK food and drink market, the new plant is expected to significantly boost recycling rates. That’s 1.25 billion cartons which could be recycled – laid end-to-end these would wrap around the circumference of the earth six times.


The plant is a joint initiative between the


6 < packagingscotland Alliance for


Beverage Cartons & the Environment (ACE) UK – representing the


leading


beverage carton manufacturers Tetra Pak,


Elopak and SIG


Combibloc – and paper and packaging producer Sonoco Alcore. SA will take advantage of the strength and quality of the virgin wood fibres found in cartons by turning them into industrial-strength coreboard at its paper mill located on the same site. This is then made into 100% recyclable tubes and cores, which are used to wrap paper, man-made fibre


n RECYCLING remains a fundamental expectation of both consumers and food industry stakeholders, according to Tetra Pak’s bi-annual environment survey. This year’s study highlights a rising demand for renewable materials and environmental


labelling among consumers worldwide. Food industry stakeholders rank the use of bio-based materials as one of the most important environmental trends shaping the future of beverage packaging.


n THE Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) has added a corrugated packaging sector module to its award-winning schools website PaperWorks. Aimed at pupils aged 11-14 (KS3), the new module challenges young people to respond to a choice of realistic packaging briefs, by creating a logo and brand, then designing a packaging solution in line with the requirements of the corrugated industry.


n UK flexible packaging materials supplier Cliffe Packaging has acquired, for an undisclosed sum, the UK based subsidiary of Bag Supplies Canada. Bag Supplies Ltd, based in Cumbria, has a portfolio of products which includes specialist breathable log bags, log nets, single trip and multi-trip bulk bags.


yarns,


and metal and plastic film around for industrial applications. As the new facility offers numerous benefits to local authorities, kerbside collection of beverage cartons and UK carton recycling rates are expected to increase dramatically.


n THE Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA) and the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, owner of Pack Expo International, have agreed to hold the third AIPIA world Congress during Pack Expo International on 2-5 November 2014. Located at McCormick Place, Chicago, Pack Expo International is expected to attract 50, 000 visitors to see 2000 exhibiting companies.


October-December 2013


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