PLASTIC FOOD PACKAGING
A VALUABLE RESSOURCE
Plastic is a valuable resource, that can be used in many different types of food packaging solutions. But many mistakenly believe that plastic food packaging should be avoided.
WHY CHOSE PLASTIC FOR YOUR
food PACKAGING SOLUTION?
Packaging is essential for transportation, storage, handling, and preservation of food. And plastic is an optimal material for food packaging. While plastic is often seen as a major contributor to the growing waste issues, the reality is that plastic food packaging can contribute to solving environmental challenges.
Instead of viewing plastic packaging negatively, we should consider it as a valuable resource, provided we make clever choices regarding the plastic material we use and the way it is designed.
HOW CAN PLASTIC FOOD PACKAGING
BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE?
Plastic is a valuable resource that can be used in many different types of food packaging solutions. But many mistakenly believe that packaging made from plastic materials should be avoided. The way we consume today, food packaging made of plastic material is essential way to preserve and protect food. If you are interested in specific plastic solutions you can read more about some of them here.
Plastics as food packaging material is ideal. It protects food on its journey - from production to retail store and to the kitchen table. In this process it also prolongs the shelf life of food, which can help reduce food waste. Finally, and most importantly – plastic is recyclable and considered circular, when choosing the right form of plastic for your packaging solution. Plastic comes in many different forms, some considered more recyclable than others.
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When is plastic packaging
considered recyclable?
For plastic packaging to be circular and recyclable, it must be easy-to-recycle. For a plastics food packaging to be recyclable the following criteria have an impact:
- Mono-material
- Clear material
- Contain recycled content
Circularity in food packaging is essential, learn more here. These factors ensure that it can be recycled again and used for new products. Recycled PET can even be used for food packaging again.
WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLASTIC
PACKAGING ARE AVAILABLE?
Plastic food packaging comes in different material types, each with its own looks, ability to handle hot or cold food, and impact on the environment. Choosing the right option is often a matter of the food product you sell.
Some food is meant to be heated in the tray before eating it, and some food is meant to be eaten cold directly from the tray. Closure of the tray also comes in many options, again depending on your food product and the shelf life needed. You can choose between lids and sealing films. Below is a short presentation of the most common plastic types.
Choosing the right kind of plastic for your packaging solution can be a complex task, but here you can read more about why plastic is a optimal material for packaging. Read more here.
What is PET and when is PET an optimal
plastic food packaging material?
PET is the most widely used plastic globally, especially in food packaging that requires a clear look, like for fresh salads, fruits, cold meats, snacks, and more. It is a strong and flexible packaging plastic with high impact strength, making it tough. PET packaging is easy to transport and won't break. The good news is PET is easy-to-recycle, and it can be transformed into various new products. PET comes in different types: APET (amorphous PET), CPET (crystalline PET), DPET (direct-to-sheet), and rPET (recycled PET).
PET is suitable for cold food, like salads, sandwiches, fruits and tapas products. PET comes in clear as well as colored versions. PET plastic packaging can be closed with a lid or it can be closed with a sealing film. It comes in a variety of sizes and is a popular plastic food packaging material for food. The temperature range for PET is from -40°C to 70°C.
Due to its excellent characteristics, including transparency, recyclability, and minimal migration of substances into the food, the utilization of PET as a packaging material is highly favored among our customers all around Europe.
How can PET plastic packaging
contribute to a circular economy?
PET is a mono-material and the ideal plastic packaging solution when working towards a circular economy. PET is considered easy-to-recycle and it has a high value in the recycling process – especially if it is clear. Black PET trays cannot be recycled today, which is why clear PET trays are preferred in a circular economy. When PET contains already recycled PET, it is called rPET (recycled PET) and this is the optimal plastic food packaging in a circular economy.
Our Zen™ Selection Platter made of rPET offers diverse variety of sizes and serving options. Available in clear rPET and black rPET this platter is a circular plastic food packaging option for foods like tapas, sushi, antipasti, wraps, cheese, fruits and desserts. See the products here: Zen™ Selection Platter.
What is PP and when is PP
an optimal packaging material?
PP as a plastic packaging material is well suited for warm food - either food that is warm when filled into the tray or food that is to be heated before enjoying it. PP has for many years been the preferred plastic food packaging. PP is often used for ready-to-heat meals, that are found in supermarkets, delicatessen- and butcher counters. This material comes in clear as well as coloured versions. The temperature range for PP is from -40°C to 130°C and therefore it can go into a microwave oven.
PP is a widely used thermoplastic known for its strength. It can withstand chemical solvents, acids, and alkalis effectively. Although it is initially colourless, PP can easily be dyed in various colours. This plastic packaging material is suitable for packaging fresh meat and microwaveable ready-to-heat meals. Additionally, PP can be recycled and used as raw material for non-food-related purposes.
The Clear PP is dishwasher safe at 65⁰C for 30 passages according to an adapted method by NF EN 12875-1:2005-11 standard.
How can PP plastic packaging contribute
to a circular economy?
PP is a mono-material and easy-to-recycle plastic packaging material which is why it contributes very well to a circular economy. PP comes in clear and coloured versions. The Clear PP is dishwasher safe at 65⁰C for 30 passages according to an adapted method by NF EN 12875-1:2005-11 standard.
A significant part of our strategy is to promote circular PP products as an alternative to traditional black PP products. Black PP cannot be recycled today, which is why we recommend you choose clear or coloured PP. Though, PP is available in a carbon black free version meaning it is ‘almost’ black and that it can be recycled.
A circular plastic packaging solution is Bistro™ warm offered in PP clear. These trays can be heated in the microwave oven and serve as an ideal and convenient solution for ready meals. Bistro™ clear is designed as s circular food packaging material for ready to heat meals such as pasta, rice and stew dishes. See the selection here: Bistro™ warm.
Do you need more details on
PET?
PET is the most widely used plastic globally, especially in food packaging that needs a clear look, like for fresh salads, fruits, cold meats, snacks, and more. It's a strong and flexible plastic with high impact strength, making it tough. PET packaging is easy to transport and won't break. The good news is PET is easy-to-recycle, and it can be transformed into various new products. PET comes in different types: APET (amorphous PET), CPET (crystalline PET), DPET (direct-to-sheet), and rPET (recycled PET).
FIT FOR FUTURE:
- Mono-material
- Easy-to-recycle if clear
- Holds 85% recycled material
FIT FOR PURPOSE:
- “I am designed to be recycled” communicated in the bottom of tray
- Clear rPET lids provide leak-proof closure to prevent spillage
- Heat-sealing possible for longer shelf life
- Reverse handles for convenient handling
- Temperature range: -40°C to 70°C
Do you need more details on
PP?
PP is a widely used thermoplastic known for its strength. It can withstand chemical solvents, acids, and alkalis effectively. Although it is initially colorless, PP can easily be dyed in various colors. This versatile material is suitable for packaging fresh meat and microwaveable ready-to-heat meals. Additionally, PP can be recycled and used as raw material for non-food-related purposes.
FIT FOR FUTURE:
- Mono-material
- Designed to be recycled, thereby supporting a circular economy
- Easy-to-recycle if clear or colored
- Reclosable lid reduces food waste
- Can be washed in dishwasher at 65⁰C for re-use
FIT FOR PURPOSE:
- Clear lids with anti-fog feature
- Lids with or without venting
- Leak-proof closure to prevent spillage
- Pull tabs for easy opening
- Heat-sealing possible for longer shelf life
- Can be customized with logo on lid and tray
- Temperature range: -40°C to 121°C
How does Plus Pack’s plastic packaging
work towards circularity?
We observe a growing trend in the market for circular alternatives, with a particular emphasis on PP. Which is why we are continually developing circular alternatives so that, together with our customers and partners, we can work towards transforming food packaging in a more circular direction. You can read more about the environmental impacts of plastic here.
We also understand how choosing the right circular plastic packaging solution can be challenging, which is why our Packaging School guides you in the complex world of food packaging.
We frequently arrange packaging schools to new and existing customers to update them on the latest within circular food packaging. Read more about our packaging school here: Packaging school.
LEARN MORE
Approach
Services - supporting your success
From onsite technical support and CPQ to our Packaging School, we have many ways to help solve your packaging challenges. For good.
Case
New optimized zen™ selection platter
These days, many retailers and food industries look for packaging solutions that can help them reach their sustainability goals. Learn how we helped a customer do that.
Circularity
Why is recycling so important
To transform the food packaging industry from a linear to a circular economy, recycling is inevitable. It is crucial that we act now. For good.