Compostable Food Packaging
Our compostable food packaging fulfils the same functional requirements and sustainable advantages as our non-compostable paperboard alternatives. It has the additional benefit of helping to combat the issue of food contamination, as the packs and remaining food can go through the same waste stream.
Composting Food Packaging
We pioneered compostable packaging for food products in the 1990s and we continue to lead with a range of products that are manufactured in the UK. Where our products are marked as ‘compostable’, this means that the materials used to make them are commercially compostable within 16 weeks or 90 days, to EN13432.
Closed Loop Composting Solutions
We work with partners in the UK, EU, and globally to offer closed loop solutions for compostable food packaging. We can work with you and our partners to install composting machines on-site to digest all your compostable packaging and leftover food.
Talk to us about how we can help you to reduce your food and packaging waste, save costs, and invest in a circular future.
Recycling & Composting FAQs
The recyclability information that we provide online and, in our catalogue, relates to UK OPRL recycling guidelines. The current threshold for plastic content within recyclable paperboard is 10%.
Information on sustainability guidelines for other countries is available for each of our products. For specific country information, please contact your account manager.
Unless otherwise stated, our recyclability credentials refer to the entire product. Where a window or a separable part (e.g., lid) should be removed, guidelines are given.
Colpac products are designed with circular economy principles in mind. We predominantly rely on recycling to improve the circularity of our products. We constantly innovate as recycling guidelines and legislation evolve to increase recyclability.
With the right closed loop solution, compostable packaging can restore land and help to fuel the production of new materials used to make similar products.
Unrecyclable products are not circular. Even with circular economy principles in mind, we sometimes choose to make trade-offs to tackle other environmental issues. An example is preventing food waste which has a higher carbon impact than packaging. Our Modified Atmosphere Packaging is difficult to recycle, but extends food shelf-life by over 10 days.
‘Biodegradable’ means that the material will degrade over time, but it doesn’t tell you what it will degrade into or how long it will take. EN13432 certification confirms that the materials will biodegrade within a specific time frame and will not leave any toxic waste.