A Cornucopia of Innovation
Packaging Strategies’ reporting in recent months reveals an abundance of novel approaches to eco-friendlier produce packaging.
By Brad Addington
This story looks at recent innovations rendering produce packaging more eco-friendly.
However, before looking at specific routes to more sustainable produce packaging, it’s worth stepping back and taking a broader view of the produce packaging market.
Market research firm The Freedonia Group pegs the size of the U.S. fresh produce packaging market at $6.6 billion for 2024. The market is forecast to increase 2.4% per year to $7.3 billion in 2028, reaching 58.6 billion units.
“Plastic will continue to account for the majority share of packaging sales as it is the most common option for rigid packaging such as clamshells,” The Freedonia Group says. However, the firm adds that paper and molded fiber packaging are making inroads, benefiting from being positioned as renewable and having good environmental perceptions among consumers.
“Whether paper and molded fiber are generally more sustainable than plastic, many companies are capitalizing on the notion that these materials are more eco-friendly alternatives,” the firm notes. “To that end, multiple players are developing new paper and molder fiber packaging technologies that can stand up to plastic’s performance properties.”
Packaging Strategies’ own reporting in recent months reveals an abundance of innovation when it comes to fresh produce packaging — including flexible packaging.
ProAmpac has been recognized by the Environmental Packaging Awards for developing a curbside-recyclable, fiber-based packaging solution for Marks and Spencer’s Select Farms Organic potato range.
Parkside has developed a lidding film that not only is recyclable in some curbside collection schemes but also allows end users to simply press down, pop open and peel pack, creating a satisfyingly simple opening experience for consumers.
Meijer recently became the first retailer nationwide to carry Earthbound Farm Organic Mini Peeled Carrots packaged by Bolthouse Farms in compostable bags, and Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. recently announced a strategic partnership with Arena Packaging to introduce Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for bananas.
Find out more about these game-changing developments!
ProAmpac Receives Recognition for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Packaging
ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging and material science, was selected earlier this year as a finalist at the 2024 Environmental Packaging Awards.
The Environmental Packaging Awards, now in their second year, celebrate innovations and individuals making significant strides in sustainability within the packaging industry. These awards acknowledge those who demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental responsibility while maintaining the essential function of packaging in protecting products.
ProAmpac’s ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 has received recognition in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables category for collaborating with Marks and Spencer’s Select Farms Organic potato range. This curbside-recyclable fiber-based packaging solution features eye-catching graphics and has excellent robustness for product protection and premium sealant technology for running at rate on high-speed form-fill-seal equipment.
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“We are honored to be recognized as finalists in the 2024 Environmental Packaging Awards,” said Lynsey Maddison, director of product development at ProAmpac. “Our collaboration with Marks and Spencer on this sustainable packaging solution underscores our commitment to providing environmentally responsible options that meet the evolving needs of consumers and retailers.”
In addition, Kevin Vyse, head of technical for ProAmpac's RAP products, has been nominated and shortlisted as an Environmental Champion for his exceptional contributions in the Business Performance Categories at the 2024 Environmental Packaging Awards.
ProAmpac's commitment to sustainability extends beyond materials to include responsible sourcing practices, ensuring the promotion of sustainable forestry practices. “We believe sustainable packaging solutions are integral to the industry's future, and we are proud to play a role in driving positive change,” added Vyse.
The Environmental Packaging Awards ceremony was held at The Park Plaza Victoria, London, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. This year's event featured a reimagined format focused on networking opportunities and brand exposure.
For more information about ProAmpac's sustainable packaging solutions, visit proampac.com.
ProAmpac’s ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 has received recognition from the Environmental Packaging Awards in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables category.
Courtesy of ProAmpac
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Parkside Launches Recyclable Lidding Film for Fresh Produce
Parkside has launched its latest flexible packaging innovation, PopflexTM lidding film, providing a game-changing recyclable solution for fresh produce packers and growers.
When paired with and weld-sealed to a matching PET tray, the film is designed to stay attached to the tray throughout the recycling process, reducing the risk of PET material contaminating PP and PE recycling streams. This means the new solution is OPRL-certified as recyclable in curbside collection schemes, meaning the end user can simply drop the entire pack into their recycling bin after use.
The film is laser-scored using patented ParkScribeTM technology to create an integral opening flap that end users can press down, pop open, and peel back, creating a satisfyingly simple opening experience for consumers. The film is breathable when using the option of macro perforation to prolong the shelf life of the produce, and is made using recyclable PET containing a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content film. It is a mono PET rather than duplex like Parkside’s laser-scored lidding, which means it uses less plastic and is more cost effective, but with the same recyclable classification.
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Steven Hallford, Product Development Technologist at Parkside, was delighted following the launch, saying: “Retailer guidelines increasingly demand easily recyclable packaging, and studies show widespread consumer confusion when it comes to which packaging components they can and can’t recycle. We’re excited to reveal Popflex as a solution to both these issues, making it a game-changer for fresh produce packers and growers.
“In addition to its recyclability benefits, it was important for us to deliver the sort of product protection and accessibility performance that today’s consumers expect. The Popflex opening mechanism delivers on both counts, helping protect fresh produce through the cold chain and providing easy access to consumers.”
The launch of Popflex follows another hugely successful year for Parkside’s innovation capability after its freezer-proof, fully recyclable paper-based pack won a number of awards, including the prestigious Stationers’ Innovation Excellence Award.
To learn more about Parkside, please visit parksideflex.com.
The PopflexTM lidding film is laser-scored using patented ParkScribeTM technology to create an integral opening flap that end users can press down, pop open, and peel back.
Courtesy of Parkside
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Meijer Reduces Plastic Packaging in New Partnership with Bolthouse Farms
Meijer announced in October 2023 becoming the first retailer nationwide to carry Earthbound Farm Organic Mini Peeled Carrots – packaged by Bolthouse Farms in compostable bags.
The partnership with Bolthouse Farms — one of the retailer's longest supplier relationships — reflects the company's preference for offering its customers more sustainable packaging options, said Ron Lovelace, Director of Produce for Meijer.
“The decisions we make today impact the world we live in, which is why we’re committed to continual improvement through smart partnerships and innovations that benefit our customers and communities,” Lovelace said. “We've been clear and vocal with our suppliers that we want to offer more sustainable packaging options, and if they can develop the packaging, we will partner with them.”
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The product remains available at Meijer and can be purchased in each of its stores across the Midwest. The packaging: is made from 100 percent renewable sources of canola and soy; is certified home compostable by TUV, a globally recognized leader in sustainable packaging; and is certified to bio-degrade at least 90 percent by 26 weeks and 100 percent by 52 weeks in a backyard compost heap or bin.
“Bolthouse Farms® and Meijer have long been partners in innovation and progress,” Bolthouse Farms Marketing Director Karen White said. “Together, we’re turning the page to a greener future, celebrating our shared aspirations for sustainable produce packaging and an exciting journey for our beloved carrot.”
Meijer has a longstanding practice of integrating environmental initiatives into its daily operations, including making packaging more sustainable.
For example, in 2018, Meijer set a goal to add a How2Recycle label, which clearly communicates recycling instructions, on 100 percent of its True Goodness by Meijer products (where the product has room for a label). Meijer met this goal in early 2023 when it finished placing this label on an estimated 500 products storewide. The retailer is also working toward making its Meijer brand packaging 100 percent recyclable, reusable, or compostable, and is encouraging its suppliers to improve the recyclability of their own packaging.
“We're committed to partnering with our suppliers on innovations that push the industry forward,” said Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. “We're willing to go the extra mile to do what is right for the environment around us not because we have to, but because it's the right thing to do.”
To learn more about the retailer's sustainable packaging efforts, please visit meijercommunity.com/sustainable-packaging.
Earthbound Farm Organic Mini Peeled Carrots — packaged by Bolthouse Farms in compostable bags.
Courtesy of Meijer
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Fresh Del Monte, Arena Packaging Launch Reusable Plastic Banana Containers
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announced in November 2023 a strategic partnership with Arena Packaging, a leading packaging, design, and pooling company in North America, to introduce Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for bananas.
The groundbreaking invention aims to transform industry standards for the leading fruit in fresh produce, while significantly reducing food waste, carbon emissions, operational costs, and preserving the fruit's health.
With the introduction of RPCs, banana shipments now enjoy improved airflow and extended shelf life. RPCs are not only reusable but also trackable, with a remarkable life cycle of up to 15 years. Each container will be reused approximately five times in a single year, and if damaged, individual parts can be collected, replaced, and repurposed.
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“Making produce more sustainable for consumers, from the farms to the shelves, has always been a top priority for Fresh Del Monte. By emphasizing the reuse of packaging materials, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint, while promoting a circular economy of plastics,” said Hans Sauter, Fresh Del Monte’s Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP of R&D.
Sauter added: “After years of collaborative work, this groundbreaking RPC design not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but addresses fruit quality and pallet shipping density, ensuring sustainable impact at every level of our supply chain.”
For the past 60+ years, bananas have traditionally been shipped in single-use cardboard boxes, typically holding up to 40 pounds per box. These boxes are then transported to grocery stores, where bananas are air-stacked in the back room, a labor-intensive manual process that takes between 20 to 40 minutes to complete.
Although cardboard is widely recyclable, developing options where packaging is reused is a first step in fighting climate change. Prior to that, bananas were shipped by the stalk hanging from hooks in cargo ships, which led to the bananas arriving at their destinations in poor condition. The implementation of the Banana RPC has also resulted in an overall healthier-looking fruit out on the shelf, with less handling throughout the supply chain.
Tony Arena, Founder and CEO of Arena Packaging, said, “Our collaboration with Fresh Del Monte Produce is set to redefine the entire process of packing, shipping, ripening, storing, and merchandising bananas. This marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to establish a more sustainable and circular packaging system.”
Through this strategic collaboration and collective effort, Fresh Del Monte and Arena Packaging prove that businesses can achieve more when they work together.
The Banana RPCs arrived at retail stores in the South Texas region last month, offering consumers an eco-friendly and convenient way to enjoy their favorite fruit.
To learn more about Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability efforts, visit freshdelmonte.com.
