PC-MAY23-PG24.1_Layout 1 11/05/2023 10:09 Page 24


FOOD & BEVERAGE MAKING MORE SUSTAINABLE DECISIONS


Nathan D. Wood, Dr Aaron Yeardley, Natalie Bavis, Dr Torill Bigg (L to R below), all from Tunley Engineering, discuss how


sustainable packaging can help facilitate a circular economy


An example of an alternative to plastic packaging in its simplest form. UK policies which place limitations on single-use plastic encourage businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives


he growing emphasis on sustainability in nearly all sectors has placed the packaging industry under scrutiny. In the pursuit of sustainable packaging, a holistic approach is necessary, encompassing aspects such as material selection, carbon footprint reduction, and the development and implementation of government policies that foster a circular economy. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the key themes and challenges surrounding packaging and recyclability and delves into their connections with prevailing environmental concerns and policies. The three main elements of environmentally sustainable packaging are Resource Planning, Carbon Reduction, and Waste Reduction. Resource Planning aims to cut waste by encouraging reusability through material choices which facilitate reuse and efficient recycling. Carbon Reduction strives to lower the impact of greenhouse gas emissions by considering the entire carbon lifecycle of packaging, from manufacturing to consumer behaviour. Grasping an understanding of the stages in the lifecycle with the largest carbon emissions enables those areas to be addressed through programmes such as utilising renewable energy for production or enhancing transportability through alterations in packaging dimensions or form. Waste Reduction aims to lower waste volume through strategies like waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting. This can be achieved through material minimisation, recyclable or compostable designs, and reusable packaging systems. Using alternative packaging materials, such as recycled paper, biodegradable polymers, and plant-based


T 24 MAY 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL


options, can also decrease the carbon footprint of packaging.


One method to advance sustainable packaging solutions is by establishing regulations and policies that inform decision- making among businesses. Making the environmental impact of many materials and products transparent can encourage manufacturers to choose more sustainable options. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), for instance, can provide valuable data for comparisons. Nevertheless, the current EPD system contains technical documentation that is difficult to evaluate, whilst there is a shortage of available EPDs. To tackle this problem, it is critical to make these evaluations more accessible to the general public.


There is also a need for more sophisticated guidance in evaluating the emissions associated with different disposal techniques. Presently, the emission factors provided by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy inadvertently provide incentive for organisations to prefer landfill disposal of plastic rather than recycling. To address this issue, an effective strategy should focus on pinpointing opportunities to decrease carbon emissions specifically from recycling processes themselves. This may encompass investments in recycling technologies, enhancement of sorting and separation procedures, and the investigation of recycling methodologies for a diverse array of materials.


Incentives and regulatory measures also play a vital role in promoting sustainability. The UK, for example, has implemented environmental policies such as the ban on plastic microbeads and limitations on single-use plastic items. These policies are important in addressing both


the impact on resource use and environmental plastic pollution, and encourages consumers and businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives. Despite efforts to manage plastic waste recycling, a notable gap persists in the UK between recycling rates of paper/cardboard (71%) and plastic packaging (44.1%). To address this, the UK government introduced a tax in 2022 targeting plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. This is designed to provide businesses with an economic incentive to incorporate recycled plastic materials into their packaging, thereby fostering increased waste plastic recycling and collection rates, and ultimately reducing waste destined for landfill or incineration. The tax is projected to increase recycled plastic utilisation by 40% and result in carbon savings of nearly 200,000 tonnes during 2022-2023. Furthermore, in light of the pressing demand for enhancing the recyclability of packaging materials, the UK Government has introduced the concept of 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR). As of January 2023, businesses have been mandated to collate data pertaining to their packaging to comply with EPR regulations, with a registration deadline of 2024, at which point fees shall become payable to the environmental regulator. By holding packaging


manufacturers responsible for non-recyclable materials, EPR is anticipated to lead to a shift towards reusable or recyclable materials. It is imperative to create informed and balanced policies in order to circumvent potential pitfalls while meeting sustainability objectives and goals. Certain measures may inadvertently encourage bad behaviours, so policymakers must carefully evaluate the potential consequences of their actions to ensure that they do not result in counterproductive outcomes. Policymakers and industries also need to remain vigilant against 'greenwashing' and promote transparency.


Tunley Engineering www.tunley-engineering.com


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