What really is sustainable packaging?

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2 What really is sustainable packaging?

3 It can mean many things but in essence sustainable packaging is The development & use of packaging which results in improved sustainability - this can include increased use of life cycle inventory (LCI) & life cycle assessment (LCA) to help guide the use of packaging which reduces it s environmental impact & ecological footprint..

4 What are the 4 main criteria to consider when designing a new pack?

5 FUNCTIONALITY / FIT FOR PURPOSE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FUN SUSTAINABILITY AFFORDABILITY

6 FUNCTIONALITY / FIT FOR PURPOSE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FUN SUSTAINABILITY AFFORDABILITY

7 FUNCTIONALITY / FIT FOR PURPOSE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FUN SUSTAINABILITY AFFORDABILITY

8 So why do we need to consider sustainability & the environment?

9 Mankind is slowly destroying the planet; Ensure a safe & healthy environment for all which is also enshrined in our Constitution; It is in all our own interests to look after & prolong our limited resources; It is OUR responsibility not to destroy the environment for future generations.

10 Some key factors

11 Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the damage that products are doing to the environment; Sustainability has to be part of every company s agenda & those that ignore it will go out of business this includes their packaging; Real action required not greenwashing Products are often over-packaged including too much secondary packaging; Key element is to DO MORE WITH LESS

12 Some examples

13 Glass wine bottle 32% reduction in mass in 7 years

14 The 2L PET bottle Down from >90g to <50g

15 Polyethylene stretch wrap 50% reduction in mass in <15 years

16 Beverage can 20% of mass since 1966

17 Polyethylene / PP beverage closure 23% lighter

18 Some trends

19 Markets & consumers are starting to look for eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel based plastics. Fossil Fuel (Oil & coal) resources are finite; Plant based alternatives to conventional feedstocks; Growing demand for biodegradable plastics; Demand forecast to grow by 50% by (Source: Nova Institute)

20 2 main types of biodegradable polymers

21 Made from starch or other grown crops; Compostable provided there is moisture, oxygen & temperature; Emits GHG s (CO2 & Methane) when degrading; Not recyclable with conventional polymers; Limited mechanical & thermal functionality; Heavier than conventional polyolefins (SG >1.25 gm3) More expensive than regular polymers; High speed processing limitations.

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23 THERE ARE ALSO SOME MORAL ISSUES HOWEVER

24 Additives that are added to conventional polymers causing oxidation & breakdown; Additive level can be set to degrade within a specific timeframe; Polymer with the additive has the same functionality as that without; Can be processed on existing equipment with no change to the processing conditions; No change to the weight or gauge of the article; Negligible on-cost.

25 Concerns that the fragments don t decompose entirely & little pieces remain in the environment causing harm to smaller creatures; Recyclers have concerns that polymers with residual additive may contaminate their wider recycling streams; Should one be destroying - rather than collecting & recycling - a perfectly good resource?

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27 Shouldn t confuse biodegradable with thermoplastics that are made from conventional monomers that are bio-based

28 Digital Printing

29 Opens up a multitude of opportunities for packaging. As a consequence of printing again being added as a listed activity within the Air Quality Act 2004 there will be pressure to switch to processes that do not emit VOCs; Eco-friendly process as no harmful solvents are used; Allows for customised or individually personalised packs; Flexibility - designs, names, fonts etc. can be quickly changed & stored on a computer; Quick turnaround - no mess & changing of plates.

30 31000 different versions of this Australian wine

31 Pouches

32 Flexible pouches are forecast to grow faster than any other form of packaging. Stand-up pouches with spouts will take market share away from glass & plastic containers; Extended shelf life (ESL) opportunities which will assist with reduction in food waste; Significant in-bound logistics advantages & hence carbon footprint reduction; 360 degree decoration possibilities; Recycling concerns particularly those consisting of different substrates but companies like DOW are working on monolayer configurations.

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34 The problem of food waste

35 Around 33% of all food produced worldwide is wasted Preserves the contents & reduces damage between farm & fork ; Prevents contamination from dirt, spillage etc. Protects from climatic conditions ie. water or heat Minimises theft & pilferage; Emergence of ethylene inhibitors, anti-microbial & anti-fungal additives & other ESL technologies most of which can be incorporated into the packaging. Around 10m tonnes per annum is wasted in SA at an estimated cost of >R60 billion Source: CSIR

36 14 trucks of rigid bottles = 1 truck of flexible pouches

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38 Packaging helps reduce this wastage so therefore is unrecyclable or environmentally unfriendly packaging that reduces food waste a problem?

39 While we are talking about food is edible packaging something we are going to see more of?

40 KFC have launched edible packaging in India..

41 Some examples where sustainability has perhaps not been considered

42 Too much packaging? Board with PVC blister pack..

43 Too much packaging?

44 Multi-layer substrates make it difficult to recycle. Also there is always left over residue in the tubes..

45 Multi-layer substrates (including foil) making recycling difficult..

46 Too much packaging? Easter, Christmas & special occasion packaging..

47 The Pizza box once food makes contact with the board it becomes very difficult to recycle..

48 Too much packaging? Typical for luxury products..

49 Smart & intelligent packaging

50 A single packaging tray allows different food components to be heated together in the microwave. Technology works via a special shield in the lidding foil which regulates the heat applied to each compartment; A compartment which requires a lot of heat gets what it needs whilst one which needs less receives less; Shieltronics - Holland

51 Time & temperature indicators. Pull tab to activate the pack Label changes colour as shelf life is reached or as the product starts to go off Label can be customised for different periods & products Insignia Technologies - UK

52 Freshness Indicators.have best before labels reached their expiration date? Intelligent packaging that lights up Contains organic light emitting devices ( OLED s ) BATH UNIVERSITY - UK

53 Freshness indicators. Carton changes colour as shelf life is reached or as the product starts to go off KO YANG

54 No packaging edible oohoo water capsules. Water bubbles to replace water bottles? Bubble made from a natural seaweed extract Skipping Rocks Labs - London

55 Special bottle coatings. Super slippery surface allows for the complete emptying of bottles Reduces food waste & assists with recycling LiquiGlide - USA

56 So in order to minimize the future impact of packaging on the environment we will need to

57 Educate designers, brand-owners & other packaging stakeholders to genuinely embrace the concept of sustainability..

58 Ensure that packs are as light as possible without compromising functionality..

59 Do away with over-packaging.. Apple has reduced the mass of packaging used for i-phones by 34% over the last 2 generations..

60 Avoid the use of multi-materials or substrates where possible.. Cardboard Plastic

61 Reuse your packaging.. Plastic crates & glass bottles..

62 Are 100% recyclable..

63 Avoid the use of fillers & other problematic additives specifically in plastics..

64 Avoid bright, fluorescent & luminescent colours the inclusion of which can make recycling difficult..

65 Contains as much recycled material as is possible..

66 Packaging is clearly marked with the relevant recycling logos & if plastics with the internationally recognised resin identification codes (1 to 7); PVC

67 ALWAYS strive to do more with less..

68 THANK YOU

69 QUESTIONS?