Graphic Packaging International, in collaboration with Moy Park, has introduced an innovative solution for Sainsbury’s private-label breaded chicken products: the PaperSeal Shape paperboard tray. This development aims to significantly decrease plastic usage, with projections suggesting reductions of 72% to 82% per tray, translating to the removal of approximately 300 metric tons of plastic from Sainsbury’s supply chain annually.
The PaperSeal Shape tray is designed with a double sealing flange and a rigid structure, which together provide a hermetic seal capable of maintaining the shelf life comparable to that of traditional plastic trays. This advancement not only supports Sainsbury’s sustainability goals but also complies with On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) guidelines in the UK, as it contains less than 10% plastic by total pack weight, ensuring that it can be easily recycled at kerbside.
Reflecting Sainsbury’s ‘Plan for Better,’ this initiative is anchored in the principles of being ‘Better for you, Better for the planet, and Better for everyone.’ Paul Tye, new business development director at Graphic Packaging, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving operational efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation.
Matt Harris, head of packaging at Moy Park, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the focus on sustainable, recyclable packaging solutions and the collaborative expertise leveraged throughout the project. The successful rollout of the PaperSeal tray signifies a substantial step toward minimizing plastic dependency while enhancing packaging performance.
This initiative is part of a broader trend in the industry, as demonstrated by Graphic Packaging’s previous collaboration with Morrisons, which successfully eliminated 250 tonnes of plastic from its supply chain through similar innovative packaging solutions. Additionally, Moy Park’s adoption of the kp Elite modified atmosphere packaging tray showcases its commitment to sustainable practices.
In conclusion, the introduction of the PaperSeal Shape paperboard tray marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward sustainable packaging, paving the way for retailers to embrace eco-friendly solutions while maintaining product integrity and consumer confidence.
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