Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging has the answer to diff icult sustainability questions
W
hen under pressure, it is understandable why our tendency is to look for quick, easy solutions. As consumers,
regulators and retailers around the world continue to focus on packaging waste as part of the global sustainability agenda, the packaging industry is feeling that pressure.
The quick, easy answer here is to turn plastic into the villain of the story. Unnecessary plastic use is a genuine problem and it does pose challenges in terms of effi cient disposal and recycling. Quick and easy answers are rarely the right ones, especially when dealing with complex topics like packaging design.
The truth is that, to create packaging that balances the many factors that fall under the ‘sustainability’ umbrella, both plastic and paper have their parts to play.
THE MOST EFFICIENT FORM OF PACKAGING IS NO PACKAGING AT ALL
It is important to remember that recycling is not the fi rst step on the waste hierarchy. No matter how easy a packaging solution is to recycle, it will still consume resources and cause emissions. The most sustainable form of packaging is no packaging at all. In some cases, certain food items can be supplied to consumers loose, as is the case with bananas or potatoes.
While the ‘naked’ approach to packaging is not appropriate for everything, substantial packaging reductions can still be achieved in many ways. Swapping rigid packaging formats for minimal material fl exible solutions is often ideal, as fl exible packaging inherently uses fewer materials. It also ensures that more packs can be shipped in a single container, which helps to optimise logistics and minimises unnecessary emissions through the supply chain.
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC The range of materials used by our Recofl ex range of paper laminates have been developed using paper-based, fully recyclable laminates available in several diff erent confi gurations that businesses can tailor to suit their needs. This includes a translucent material, a metallised paper made using a vapour deposition of aluminium, a freezer paper and a barrier option. Each confi guration is optimised for diff erent applications. For example, the freezer paper was designed to handle challenging frozen
applications such as seafood and frozen meat. It was developed by combining a high grease and moisture barrier laminate with a special barrier coating that repels ice crystals from the surface of the pack. This helps preserve the grease and moisture barrier as the pack naturally freezes and thaws while moving through the cold chain. There is no one-size-fi ts-all solution, but by working with a packaging partner to develop a tailored approach, it is possible to strike the right balance between functional performance and recyclability for many applications.
A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO THE PACKAGING BALANCING ACT
This balancing act is why, despite all of the advancements in lightweighted and paper-based materials, plastic still has a role to play in certain applications. It is crucial to consider the massive environmental impact of product waste, particularly food waste, when rethinking packaging design. The core function of packaging is to prevent waste by protecting products through the supply chain, rather than just being deemed waste itself. Businesses that use packaging must not lose sight of this in their quest to develop solutions that are perceived as more sustainable. While ‘plastic-free’ claims make for a compelling consumer marketing message, often a minimal plastic fi lm or barrier coating must be used to provide the required level of shelf-life performance through the supply chain. Using single polymer substrates is key to achieving this tricky balancing act. As monomaterials, they are signifi cantly easier to recycle within today’s front-of-store recycling schemes. Innovation in packaging design, including advances in water-based barrier coatings and other elements that can boost a pack’s functionality, means they can be used in place of traditional polymers without compromising pack performance in many applications.
As global sustainability regulations and retailer targets continue to tighten, fl exible packaging formats will continue to fl ourish as they help brands balance recyclability with functional performance. By taking a holistic view that incorporates plastic or paper on a case-by-case basis rather than looking for a one-size-fi ts-all solution, the packaging industry can turn the challenges it currently faces into big opportunities.
22
September 2024
www.convertermag.com
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