Foodstuffs leads on single-use plastic product bag phase-out
Foodstuffs is trialing alternatives to single-use plastic produce bags during the month of July as it moves to lead in the upcoming plastics phase-out.
In July 2018, The Packaging Forum’s members pledged to make all their
packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
The Packaging Forum is working towards comprehensive product stewardship solutions delivered by industry, in partnership with the whole supply chain, including local and central government and communities, so all packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
Our members are working hard to meet the expectations of their customers, staff and shareholders to make their packaging more sustainable and to protect the environment from harm.
They are working to reduce packaging, find sustainable alternatives or use more recyclable or reuseable options.
It’s important to understand that it’s a tricky balance for our members – we all expect high standards of food safety, quality and low waste. Finding alternatives for packaging designed over decades to do just that, isn’t an easy task; there are many factors to consider.
Is an alternative really better for the environment or will it create other issues? Will it create a new waste stream or contaminate a current recycling stream? Will it create more carbon emissions or lead to higher food wastage? Does New Zealand have the infrastructure and processing capability to make it, collect it and take care of it at end-of-life?
Collaboration is the key to solving these problems. By working with industry, government, councils, research organisations and consumers, we can all play our part in making packaging more sustainable.
Foodstuffs is trialing alternatives to single-use plastic produce bags during the month of July as it moves to lead in the upcoming plastics phase-out.
Frucor Suntory has introduced cardboard packaging for a number of beverage multipacks which will eliminate 2.7 million pieces of plastic going to landfill.
DB Breweries has set a list of ambitious sustainability targets it hopes to reach in the next 9 years, alongside the launch of its 2020 Sustainability Report.
Dole has introduced new packaging for its Bobby Bananas which will reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill by some 16 tonnes.
Cottonsoft’s Paseo 360° range now features recyclable paper packaging which is sustainably sourced, and a core made from 100% recycled NZ cardboard.
Coffee roasters Robert Harris have introduced a Soft Plastic Recycling Bin at its Westgate Cafe in Auckland and changed its packaging to be recyclable.