5 Companies That Are Redefining Plastic Packaging
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Did you know that replacing plastic packaging with alternatives doesn’t always equal less environmental impact? A 2024 study published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal revealed that plastic products actually emit fewer greenhouse gases than alternatives in 15 out of 16 applications [1].
With that said, an effort to reduce single-use plastics is still becoming increasingly significant, meaning the majority of companies in the plastics industry are heavily investing their resources into research and development to improve performance and minimise plastics’ impact on the environment.
They’re doing this by refining the design and manufacturing of products to improve the products recycling capabilities, as well as encouraging more reuse. Not only is it financially important for businesses - considering the UK’s Plastics Packaging Tax (PPT) - but it is also becoming a requirement due to updates in EU legislation in response to growing demand for sustainability.
Here are five companies that are driving meaningful changes in sustainable plastic packaging:
- BeriCap – Tethered Bottled Caps
- Berry Global – Heinz Snap Pots
- Waddington Europe - Mono Material Soft Fruit Punnet
- ThePackHub – Refill & Reuse packaging
- The British Plastics Federation (BPF) - PackScore
1. BeriCap – Tethered Bottled Caps
Contrary to popular belief, removing the caps from plastic bottles before recycling does not actually make the lives of recycling facility workers easier. In fact, it is important to note that these caps are made from valuable plastics like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), which are in high demand. By making essential updates to the design of traditional bottle caps, manufacturers are making a significant impact in promoting a more sustainable and efficient recycling system.
Tethering the cap to the bottle ensures that the closure and bottle remain together in the recycling process. BeriCaps tethered cap has received high praise for its user-friendly design, making it easy to open, close, and drink from. Additionally, these 100% leak-proof closures offer excellent hygiene benefits, as they cannot fall onto the floor and get dirty.
The flexible slit band technology allows customers to make the adaptations to their production lines and decide whether to continue with the current TE band slit or change over to the new tethered caps.
According to BeriCap, many consumers are not aware of this ecological advantage of tethered caps, which will be mandatory for disposable beverage containers up to three litres from July 2024 onwards [2].
Learn more: www.bericap.com/tethered-caps
2. Berry Global – Heinz Snap Pots
The Heinz 'Snap Pots’ have made significant contributions to advancing the circular economy through their innovative design. This remarkable packaging solution, manufactured by Berry Global, recently received the prestigious gold award at the 2023 Environmental Packaging Awards.
Originally launched in 2008, the Snap Pot has undergone a transformative redevelopment to reflect advances in post-consumer recycled content for food packaging. The award-winning concept was created in a partnership between Heinz, Tesco, Berry Global and recycling technology experts Plastic Energy and Sabic, and is paving the way for sustainable packaging solutions by utilising 39% ISCC PLUS-certified recycled plastic.
Consumers have the option to return the soft plastic to Tesco stores, where it will be collected by Plastic Energy and turned into a valuable oil feedstock. This feedstock is then combined with virgin material by Sabic to create recycled plastic pellets that are approved for food-contact applications.
Learn more: www.bpf.co.uk/recycled-heinz-pack-wins-award
3. Waddington Europe - Mono Material Soft Fruit Punnet
In 2023, Waddington Europe, a thermoforming packaging specialist, made a groundbreaking introduction to the UK market. They launched a range of mono-material soft-fruit punnets that are not only innovative but also significantly easier to recycle. This pioneering move positions Waddington Europe as the first company to offer a diverse selection of soft-fruit punnets that prioritise sustainability and recyclability.
These revolutionary punnets eliminate the need for additional bubble padding, resulting in reduced plastic usage and improved recyclability. Consumers can effortlessly toss the punnet into their recycling bin without the inconvenience of separating padding materials. This simplifies the recycling process for consumers and ultimately increases the number of punnets that are recycled, making it a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Learn more: www.waddingtoneurope.com/easier-to-recycle-punnets
4. ThePackHub – Refill & Reuse packaging
Do you remember the olds days when you had an abundance of free plastic bags at your disposal in every supermarket? Compare that to today, where the simple act of forgetting a reusable bag can have a costly impact on your wallet. One of the main challenges when it comes to refillable and reusable packaging is finding ways to change consumer perspectives and encourage them to view packaging in a different light. Developers of reusable and refillable packaging also need to prioritise enhancing convenience for consumers. They can achieve this by taking advantage of the growing popularity of prefill packs and implementing user-friendly programs for packaging returns.
ThePackHub is at the forefront of innovation in packaging by educating and informing businesses about the most current sustainable packaging trends. They provide instant access to reliable, expert analysis, and offer consultations for businesses seeking to stay ahead of ongoing innovative advancements.
They have recently unveiled an extensive 253-page report showcasing 164 cutting-edge refillable and reusable packaging innovations. This comprehensive report explores initiatives across a wide range of sectors, including beverages, consumer goods, food, health & beauty, household, industrial, and pet care, from around the world. The report highlights an extensive list of reusable and refillable packaging examples from both well-established brand owners like Procter & Gamble, as well as innovative start-ups.
Learn more: www.thepackhub.com/packaging-reports
5. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) - PackScore
Ensuring that all plastic packaging is recyclable at the end of its life is of utmost importance in developing a true circular economy. In 2023, The British Plastics Federation (BPF) unveiled the latest update of PackScore. A cutting-edge and user-friendly tool that empowers designers to make well-informed decisions in seconds, enabling designers to evaluate design choices that will have a significant impact on the overall recyclability of their products.
The latest update of PackScore introduces users to a critical pathway that guides them through a series of decision trees, allowing them to quickly identify any unfavourable choices. Developed by BPF’s Director of Plastics and Flexible Packaging Brian Lodge, PackScore accompanies a range of other eco-design resources by the BPF and has already been utilised to assess nearly 2000 packaging products worldwide. Renowned brands across the globe have embraced this tool and integrated it into their packaging assessment processes.
Learn more: www.bpf.co.uk/packscore
Summary
It’s important to remember that though switching to alternative packaging options may appear environmentally friendly and socially responsible, it can sometimes have a negative effect on a company's carbon footprint, (plastics release 10% to 90% fewer emissions across the product life cycle). So, increasing the reuse and recycling of plastics is incredibly important, and a high priority for the entire industry.
Education also then plays a crucial role in promoting reuse and recycling of plastics, as it enables consumers and businesses to make informed decisions that effectively minimise waste, enhancing the success of circularity. But simply encouraging individuals to recycle plastic packaging is not enough; the design of the packaging must be carefully considered to ensure that the entire product is accepted by recycling facilities, while also ensuring that consumers are aware of how and where to recycle. The companies and tools mentioned earlier serve as excellent examples of this concept put into action.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.3c05191
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019L0904#page=10
- https://www.bpf.co.uk/recycling/where-can-i-recycle-my-plastic.aspx
- https://www.bpf.co.uk/sustainability/sustainability-of-plastics.aspx
Author: T Mclean, Content & Marketing Executive
*Please note that this article is not a press release. Do not publish on another website unless given specific permission from the author.
