Category: Sustainability
UK firm claims major step to first truly biodegradable plastic packaging alternative
UK-based biotech company, Toraphene, has unveiled what it claims is the world’s “first” truly biodegradable, compostable and commercially viable alternative to plastic packaging, and which contains graphene. The firm has developed a new material, also called Toraphene, that uses biopolymers that compost naturally and biodegrade without human intervention. These are then combined with Nobel Prize-winning graphene, which is…
Greiner Packaging partners with SABIC and Unilever to create bouillon packaging made from PCR
Greiner Packaging has teamed up with SABIC and Unilever in a pilot project to produce 100% polypropylene (PP) tubs and lids for Knorr bouillon powder using post-consumer recycled plastic material. SABIC’s “certified circular” PP material uses post-consumer mixed plastic as a feedstock, which is broken down into its molecular building blocks to create what the company describes as “virgin plastics”,…
Tesco removes plastic across own label Christmas range
Supermarket giant Tesco has revealed it has removed over 20 million pieces of plastic from its Christmas range. Tesco, which won two awards at this year’s UK Packaging Awards, has made changes to its packaging. Its own label crackers will be sold in cardboard packaging while 312,000 Christmas light will be packaged in recyclable cardboard packs. It has also…
Mars Food and Amcor to launch recyclable microwavable rice pouch
Mars Food is to start using recyclable mono-polypropylene plastic (PP) for its microwavable rice pouches in 2021. Working with Amcor, the project will bring to market the industry’s first food-safe, mono-material microwavable rice pouch. Launching with an initial pilot in the first half of 2021, the business has ambitions to further scale the technology across…
Bavaria range refreshed with new packaging and can size
Reacting to the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages, Bavaria has expanded its range of 0.0% malt beverages to include a new affordable 500ml can. Traders and spaza shops in Diepsloot, Soweto, Tembisa, Alexandra, Johannesburg CBD and Cosmo City are now stocking the 500ml can, which comes with an RSP of R13,00 per can. Growth of…
England introduces ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds
The ban on supplying plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds has come into force in England with effect from 1 October 2020. It’s estimated that people in England use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers, and 1.8 billion plastic cotton buds every year, many of which find their way into the ocean. By…
Unilever hails new technology to recycle sachets
Unilever has developed ‘a groundbreaking new technology’ that will enable the food industry to recycle used multi-layer sachets. Billions of plastic sachets are thrown away globally every year yet only 14% of all plastic packaging is currently recycled, Unilever said. Its new technology, called the CreaSolv Process, will aim to address this by converting used…
Pringles’ iconic tube pilots an eco-makeover in UK
The Kellogg’s brand in the UK is trialling a canister made of recycled paper – which is widely recyclable – that will likely shape the Pringles’ tube of the future. The move is part of the breakfast cereal and snacks giant’s company-wide commitment to transform to 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. Launched…
UK: Unilever trials ‘first ever’ wrapper-less ice cream multipack
Unilever ice cream brand, Solero, has been launched in a wrapper-less multipack which uses 35% less plastic compared to the original pack. The new box – which can be “widely recycled” in the UK – has built-in compartments, enabling the individual ice creams to be packaged without a plastic wrapper. The specially designed PE (polyethylene)…
Game-changing new compostable food packaging ?
W-Cycle, an Israeli foodTech startup, has developed SupraPulp, made from upcycled sugarcane bagasse. Unlike other compostable food packaging. it’s non-coated, omniphobic, can be frozen/heated and remains completely unaffected by liquids and oils. SupraPulp is patented, field-tested, and an ideal replacement for plastic, aluminium, or foam containers. It is made from 100% renewable sugarcane bagasse, the…
