In a bid to transform packaging and reduce avoidable plastic waste, major supermarket chains have voluntary signed up to the UK Plastics Pact, working to reach the 2025 deadline of the Courtauld Commitment. This Government backed agreement, which will be delivered by WRAP, aims to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste within the UK grocery sector. As a result, major retailers are turning to packaging suppliers for innovative, ecological packaging which will help them fulfil their commitment. Sainsbury’s alone has reported that by switching to compostable packs, they would cut 3,550 tonnes of plastic from its output every year, reducing the amount of rubbish collected for landfill.
Packaging should not be underestimated and can determine whether a customer will purchase a product or not, so packaging suppliers are working tirelessly to deliver solutions which not only create shelf appeal, offer flexibility and protection to the product, but also a sustainable pack which will meet environmental objectives.
While the media coverage surrounding sustainable packaging has intensified, this isn’t a new trend, and for several decades now we have witnessed a definite shift in demand for paperboard options when it comes to packaging food produce.
At Colpac, we are proud of the fact we were one of the first manufacturers of carton board packaging to offer environmentally-friendly products to the food service industry. Created from wood-pulp, our fully compostable Zest™ range was developed in response to this. Eye-catching, while keeping a product fresh, Zest™ is a solution for a growing demand for environmentally sound products.
The range has been recognised within the industry and has achieved several accolades as a result. These include winning a coveted British Sandwich Industry Award (The Sammies) in the Food to Go Innovation, packaging and equipment, category. Zest™ is shortlisted in the UK Packaging Awards for ‘cartonboard pack of the year’ and is also shortlisted in the best product, technology innovation award at the new Waste2Zero awards, focused on Waste Management and Prevention in the food service industry. So, while supermarkets continue to drive down unsustainable packaging, the solutions are coming through thick and fast and being further developed to aid them and help them achieve their objectives.
The Zest™ range epitomises the drive by Colpac to reduce waste and innovate new products that meet the demands of the environmentally conscious consumer and to keep customers informed we have launched our new Recycling Brochure which can be downloaded here.
