Foodstuffs

KIDV has identified several important developments that affect packaging in the foodstuff and supermarket industry:

• Major players have committed themselves to the Plastic Pact.
  Objectives include using 20 percent less plastic in 2025 than in 2017 and only producing and using reusable and/or recyclable packaging by 2025.These objectives encourage the development of sustainable packaging. When making packaging more sustainable, put functionality first. Do not use superfluous packaging material, but make sure that the product is sufficiently protected. KIDV has developed recycle checks for different packaging materials, which can be used to find out relatively quickly and easily whether a package is recyclable. KIDV also provides more information on reusable packaging here.
  
• Preventing food waste.Food waste can be prevented in the design of a packaging. For example, by ensuring that the packaging can be emptied easily without leaving any food waste behind. Furthermore, portioning food can lead to the use of more packaging material, but it can also lead to less food being wasted. Consumers can use exactly the amount they need, which means less product is thrown away. Another example of food waste prevention is the use of packaging around fresh produce, such as a plastic sleeve around the cucumber, which extends the shelf life of the product. There are also multi-layer packs (laminates) that can extend the shelf life of products, for example a pack of coffee that consists of a combination of plastic and aluminium. The disadvantage of laminates, however, is that they are difficult to recycle. KIDV conducted research into recyclable alternatives to laminates (only available in Dutch).
  
• Using recycled materials in food packaging.There are strict regulations for food packaging. The use of recyclate is already common in metal and glass packaging. Paper and cardboard also have high recycling rates, but here food contact is often not possible due to contaminants in the recycled paper and cardboard. Among plastics, PET is currently the only type of plastic for which standards exist for the use of rPET in food contact. Together with Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), KIDV implemented the programma 'Kunststof Verpakkingsafval als Grondstof' (Plastic Packaging Waste as Raw Material) (only available in Dutch). In this programme, several pilot projects were carried out on the application of plastic recyclate. KIDV also conducted research into possible bottlenecks in legislation and regulations on the application of recycled and biobased plastics (only available in Dutch).
  
• Using biobased packaging material.
  We also see the application of bio-based packaging materials in this sector. Paper and cardboard are well-known bio-based packaging materials, but there are also fairly new examples, such as the use of elephant grass or residual products from tomato plants. There are also different types of biobased plastics. Some have the same molecular structure as fossil-based plastics. These bio-based plastics can be mixed with fossil plastics in recycling and have the same properties, such as melting temperature or air permeability. An example of this is bio-PE, which is made from sugar cane and is used in HDPE bottles, among other things.
  
  There are also plastics made from renewable raw materials that have a different molecular structure than the conventional fossil plastics. They therefore have different properties. Some variants are, for instance, compostable or allow more oxygen to pass through, which makes them especially suitable for packaging certain fruit and vegetables. Examples are PLA and starch. PLA is used in trays and foils and starch in plastic bags.
  
  Click here for more information about biobased and compostable packaging.
• On-the-go consumption and demand for convenience are increasing. Consumption outside the home often requires a different type of packaging. For example, a meal salad where the lettuce and other ingredients are in a plastic tray and a separate bag for the dressing or nuts is included. Or pre-cut pieces of pineapple and mango in a plastic tray with a fork. In this way, these meals and snacks can be easily consumed on the go (or at home). If the packaging is not necessary, try to avoid it. For example, the skin of an apple is also packaging; is a pre-cut packaged apple really necessary? In addition, the design should take into account how the product will be disposed of after use. Are there any packaging parts that are litter-sensitive? Try to avoid loose parts or attach them to the packaging. Also provide the packaging with disposal instructions. Then the consumer can separate the waste and dispose of the various materials in the correct bin.
  
• Society’s reluctance to use plastic packaging materials.Consumers quickly think 'plastic is bad' and are often surprised by plastic packaging around unprocessed fruit and vegetables. In many cases this packaging does have a function. For example, a tray and foil around the ripe avocado offer protection during transport and a foil around the cucumber keeps it fresh for longer. Looking at the environmental impact of the total product-packaging combination, on average 90% of the impact is in the product and 10% is in the packaging. Therefore, it is sometimes better to pack the product rather than let it spoil or damage and no longer be eaten. But remain critical: is the packaging really necessary, or can it be done without? Or can the cucumber grown nearby in the summer months also be sold without foil?
  
• Encouraging good disposal behaviour.It is not always clear to consumers in which waste bin the packaging belongs after use. Companies can use the packaging to communicate in which waste bin the packaging belongs. The KIDV Disposal Guide consists of icons that can be used on various packaging and packaging components. The icons provide instructions on where the packaging (parts) may be disposed of.
  

Anyone who starts working with sustainable packaging will often quickly discover that there is more to it than just using less or different material. To develop successful sustainable packaging, you have to look at the packaging process and logistics, at customers’ purchasing and disposal behaviour, and at your company’s packaging and sustainability strategy. For more information and tips, visit the KIDV Five Perspectives on Sustainable Packaging.

The sector organisations FNLI and CBL have drawn up a Sector Plan for Sustainable Packaging. This contains ambitions, objectives and concrete measures to bring a circular food industry closer. The sector is committed to recyclable packaging, sustainable and responsible use of materials and unambiguous communication with and for consumers.