Cedo fights flu season with UK’s first antibacterial recycled refuse sacks for home use

08 Nov 2021 --- Cedo is unveiling the UK’s first antibacterial refuse sack for domestic use, branded Good Karma Antibac. The refuse sacks launched in Morrisons UK supermarkets today, with further rollouts expected across the UK and Europe over the next 12 months. 

Each bag is made with 100% recycled plastic and incorporates Bactiglas antimicrobial technology, killing more than 99% of bacteria like E.coli and S.aureus in controlled testing. Bactiglas has been tested according to ISO 22196.

Martin Burdekin, UK commercial director at Cedo, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of recycled household waste bags, tells PackagingInsights the launch coincides with the rise of cold and flu germs circulating at this time of year.

Burdekin also notes consumer demand for antibacterial products has grown due to the COVID-19 experience. Innova Market Insights found many consumers say they agree (35%) or strongly agree (13%) the protective function of product packaging is more important due to the pandemic.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many manufacturers and retailers have seen an increase in the use of antibacterial products, such as hand sanitizers and cleaning products. Our research shows consumers are seeking solutions that will help them keep their homes clean, tidy and hygienic. The Good Karma Antibac launch is designed to address that need,” says Burdekin.

“The technology to develop this [solutions] has been drawn from the healthcare and foodservice industries, so consumers can now benefit from having this product in the home too.”

Bacteria not viruses
Burdekin stresses the refuse sacks are designed to tackle bacteria, not viruses. The scope of Cedo’s product testing has been based on common bacterias found in the home.

The sacks use Bactiglas, an antimicrobial tech shown to kill more than 99% of bacteria.“These bags contain an additive, Bactiglas, an antimicrobial technology, which, in controlled testing according to ISO 22196, has demonstrated the ability to kill more than 99% of bacteria such as E.coli and S.aureus,” adds Carl Birch, sales and marketing director at Wells Plastics, the technology’s developer.

“The Bactiglas active ingredient is a compound natural to our environment and toxic to bacteria while being safe for humans. Bactiglas is already used in consumer products, medical devices, waste bags and aprons used in hospitals and healthcare settings.”

“Bactiglas will provide each bag protection against bacteria throughout its shelf life.”

Supporting plastics circularity
The difficulty in sourcing recycled plastic has been well-documented in recent weeks, with UK Prime minister Boris Johnson claiming plastics recycling “doesn’t work” ahead of the COP26 climate change summit.

However, Cedo has been able to avoid recycled plastic availability issues by owning a recycling center in Geleen, the Netherlands, which has reportedly grown into one of the largest LDPE film recycling facilities in Europe.

“The majority of recyclates produced from our Geleen plant are made from post-consumer flexible plastic packaging from households, which are then used to manufacture refuse sacks in our manufacturing facilities in Telford and Poland, including our new Good Karma range,” Burdekin tells PackagingInsights.

“Having our own recycling center means Cedo can maintain supplies of refuse sacks even in very volatile market conditions.”Cedo’s Geleen center recycles more than 80,000 tons of plastic annually.

Cedo recently announced an expansion to its film recycling operations with an investment that will more than double its capacity.

“As part of our [environmental] sustainability commitments, one of the goals is to substantially increase the amount of recyclates we use in our products, of which the majority will come from post-consumer household film,” adds Burdekin.

“All our Good Karma bin bags are made from 100% recycled plastic film and 100% recyclable. Bin bags are used for several applications, such as storage and transportation, and waste management, so where the infrastructure exists, they can go into a normal waste recycling stream like any other soft plastic.”

Revved up recycling
In 2014, Cedo reportedly became the first company to manufacture bin bags using post-consumer flexible plastic film, such as used sandwich wrappers and other soft plastic packaging collected from households.

Today, the business recycles more than 80,000 tons of plastic waste every year in its Geleen recycling center, supplying manufacturing sites in Poland and the UK, where over four billion refuse sacks and bin liners are manufactured annually for customers in 34 countries.

In the UK, 93% of the plastic used by Cedo to manufacture non-food products is derived from recycled sources.

“This is just the beginning of our Good Karma range,” concludes Burdekin. “We’re all hugely excited about what’s coming next as we expand our very own brand for eco-active consumers and their households.”

Last year, PackagingInsights explored antimicrobial packaging’s shelf life-extending capabilities in the battle against global food waste.

By Joshua Poole