Packaging s Contribution to Food Waste Prevention

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1 Packaging s Contribution to Food Waste Prevention Final draft 09August

2 WHAT IS EUROPEN? Contents Introduction to EUROPEN The Food Waste Crisis Packaging s Role to Prevent Food Waste Packaging Technologies and Innovation Examples EUROPEN Actions Conclusions 2

3 WHAT IS EUROPEN? 1. INTRODUCTION TO EUROPEN 3

EUROPEN The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment 47 members across the packaging value chain The only pan-european cross-sectoral industry body dedicated exclusively to

4 EUROPEN The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment 47 members across the packaging value chain The only pan-european cross-sectoral industry body dedicated exclusively to packaging and environment issues Represents all packaging materials in a neutral way Raw Material Suppliers Packaging Designers/ Manufacturers Packaging Users National Cross- Sectoral Associations 4

5 WHAT IS EUROPEN? EUROPEN Members 5

6 EUROPEN WHAT IS EUROPEN? Conversion Raw Material Recovery/ Recycling Sorting/Collection Concerned with the full packaging life-cycle Packaging & Manufacture Packing & Filling 6 Consumer Retail Distribution

7 WHAT IS EUROPEN? 2. THE FOOD WASTE CRISIS N? 7

European Commission Wasting food is NOT sustainable Morally irresponsible as the hunger crisis escalates and food contamination remains a problem

8 WHAT IS EUROPEN? The Food Waste Crisis Europeans waste 90 million tonnes of food every year. If we carry on using resources at the current rate, by 2050 we will need the equivalent of more than two planets to sustain us. European Commission Wasting food is NOT sustainable Morally irresponsible as the hunger crisis escalates and food contamination remains a problem Destructive to the environment as food production is responsible for 20-30% of global GHGs Detrimental to the economy as costs of food production and resources are wasted 8 Studies show that about 40% of food waste is avoidable*

The Food Waste Crisis: Drivers of Current and Future Change WHAT IS EUROPEN?

resources, such as options to optimise the resource efficiency of packaging European Commission

Demographic changes and Social movement Food borne illnesses still a public health issue Increasing

9 The Food Waste Crisis: Drivers of Current and Future Change WHAT IS EUROPEN? By 2020, scientific breakthroughs and sustained innovation efforts should improve how we safeguard resources, such as options to optimise the resource efficiency of packaging European Commission Political and legal requirements Environmental upheaval: Effects on Climate Change and Water Demographic changes and Social movement Food borne illnesses still a public health issue Increasing food waste with increased demand and consumption trends 9 Source: Australia Foundation for World Population and International Cooperation

10 The Food Waste Crisis: Sources through the Chain 10 Source: Bio Intelligence Service, Preparatory Study on Food Waste across EU 27, Final Report, October 2010, prepared for DG Environment, European Commission

11 The Food Waste Crisis: By Stage in the Value Chain 100% = 1 quadrillion kcal Note: Number may not sum to 100 due to rounding Source: WRI based on FAO, 2011

12 The Food Waste Crisis: Energy Required along the Chain Production Energy necessary for the weekly consumption of food (MJ) Packaging Transport packaging Transport from factory Distribution Transport shophome Home storage Home cooking 51% 6,5% 3,5% 3,5% 3% 1,5% 17% 14% 12 Source: INCPEN, Table for one, the energy cost to feed one person, July 2009

13 WHAT IS EUROPEN? 3. PACKAGING S ROLE TO PREVENT FOOD WASTE 13

14 WHAT IS EUROPEN? The Importance of Protecting Products The environmental impact of food waste significantly exceeds (by between times*) the environmental impact of the packaging used to protect it. Packaged foods generate less total waste than unpackaged foods. If we did not have packaging, up to twice as much energy would be needed to feed people because more food would be wasted during distribution. Compromising on packaging can lead to increased food waste creating significant environmental, economic and social impacts across the supply chain. 14 *Source: INCPEN, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PACKAGING IN THE UK FOOD SUPPLY SYSTEM, 1996

15 The Ideal Packaging Answering the multiple needs of various products for every consumer As little as possible but as much as necessary Environmental impact Minimum Environmental impact - X% + X% Packaging quantity per weight/volume Underestimated Packaging Overestimated Packaging 15 Packaging must be designed to optimise overall performance

16 Characteristics of Food Packaging Provide Benefits to Prevent Food Waste WHAT IS EUROPEN? Ensure product safety, quality and freshness during it s shelf life Extend product shelf life Protect product from physical damage and other deterioration (e.g. oxidation) Prevent contamination ensuring food safety Provide convenience and appeal for the consumer Provide information on storage and use conditions, and smart label indicators (temperature/use-by date/ripeness/freshness/ easy to empty 16 packaging).

17 Characteristics of Food Packaging Provide Benefits to Prevent Food Waste Hermetic seals Re-sealable packaging Easy to empty packaging Modified or controlled atmosphere packaging Portion sized packaging Breathable polymer films Aseptic technology Intelligent and active packaging Smart label indicators 17

18 Characteristics of Food Packaging Provide Benefits to Prevent Food Waste WHAT IS EUROPEN? Needs: Ensure safety, quality & freshness Protect from physical damage & deterioration Prevent contamination Provide convenience Packaging Characteristics Oxygen, moisture, light barriers Puncture resistance & toughness Seal integrity Tamper evident Contamination resistant Easy open Resealability Structural design Benefits to prevent Food Waste Avoid loss before end of shelf-life. Shelf life extension Avoid loss due to damage prevention when handling along the supply chain Ensure safety Easy handling/storage Product removal Structural and material design No product remaining in pack Portion control Appropriate pack format and design Avoid too much product being leftover once pack is opened Provide information Printability Communication on storage, use, smart labels 18

19 WHAT IS EUROPEN? PACKAGING S 4. ROLE TECHNOLOGIES TO PREVENT AND FOOD INNOVATION WASTE EXAMPLES 19

20 WHAT IS EUROPEN? 5. EUROPEN ACTIONS 20

21 Key EU Policy Developments on Food Waste Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe (Sept. 2011) Section on Addressing food EU Parliament report "How to avoid food wastage: strategies for a more efficient food chain in EU (Jan. 2012) EC Guidelines on the Preparation of Food Waste Prevention Programmes (August 2011) DG SANCO initiative on Good Practices per sector EC Communication on the Sustainability of the Food System (End 2013) Stakeholder Consultation From 9 July to 1 October 2013 Chapter on Food Waste 21

22 EUROPEN Actions Promote the role of packaging to help eliminate/reduce product/food waste Collaborate with food chain partners, e.g. joint food wastage declaration every crumb counts, co-signed by EUROPEN EUROPEN Task Force, chaired by Sealed Air Share best practices of packaging innovation/technologies/solutions contributing to reduce food waste Contribute to the main EU policy developments and industry initiatives on food waste reduction Help drive continuous improvements in packaging innovation/ solutions 22

23 Steps Towards Combating Food Waste with Packaging Packaging innovation - Support and incentives for R&D (e.g. food saving packaging) Ensure that policies and legislation on packaging take account of packaging s role and contribution to (food) waste reduction and sustainability Encourage continuous improvement for packaging optimisation Help support best practices in packaging solutions/innovations Quantify packaging waste costs vs. food waste costs 23

24 Steps Towards Combating Food Waste with Packaging More use of available tools : LCA, cost/benefit analysis Improve information on-pack Communicate on how packaging contributes to peoples lives and strives to suit various lifestyle needs: Smaller portion sizes Offer different volume sizes Larger re-sealable packs with sections Promote the doggy bag! 24

25 WHAT IS EUROPEN? 6. CONCLUSIONS 25

26 WHAT IS EUROPEN? Conclusions The purpose of packaging is to protect food throughout the chain, and to prevent food waste Packaging technologies and innovation characteristics provide functional benefits to enhance food throughout the food chain: Ensure safety, quality and freshness during shelf life Extend shelf life Protect from physical damage and deterioration Prevent contamination ensuring safety Provide convenience and appeal for the consumer Provide information on storage and use conditions, and smart label indicators The overall benefit is a Sustainable one: Reducing environmental impact Enabling the safe food supply to feed more people Saving food costs as a result of reduced waste 26

27 EUROPEN AVENUE DE L ARMEE 6,1040 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM PACKAGING@EUROPEN-PACKAGING.EU

Packaging To Prevent Food Waste

Packaging To Prevent Food Waste Midwest Food Recovery Summit September 7 th, 2017 1 Who We Are GOAL To maximize the reduction of food waste through prevention and extension of shelf life utilizing sustainable