Huhtamaki equips United Exports with compostable blueberry packs as Mauritius confronts plastic pollution

16 Aug 2021 --- Fruit export business United Exports has developed a paper-based packaging solution for its OZblue blueberry brand, designed to meet increasingly stringent anti-plastic regulations in Mauritius.

The Indian Ocean island nation has been heavily affected by land and sea pollution from single-use plastics. In response, the government has taken strong measures to reduce plastic waste ending up in landfills or its marine environment. 

Consequently, United Exports teamed up with local fruit distributor SKC Surat and Nordic packaging specialist Huhtamaki to create a recycled paper cup for OZblue. The new solution allows for an 82 percent reduction in plastic usage. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights, United Exports’ marketing operations manager Choe Middleton explains that the project is the first step in reducing waste and carbon emissions on the island. 

“The greatest challenges in creating these packs included finding a suitable alternative packaging and local supplier that could handle the volume scale we needed, handling additional costs, and conducting quality testing to ensure the quality of our berries would not be compromised.” 

Better blueberry packs 
The paper cups in the packs are fully compostable, meeting local regulations. The reduction in plastic, use of recycled fibers and projected impact from composting mean a four-fold decrease in environmental impact from the packaging’s life cycle, says Middleton. 

However, further work needs to be done. “The lid is still plastic, customers buy fruit with their eyes, so we are still looking for a see-through compostable lid,” she explains. The packs will slash plastic usage by 82% in OZblu bluberries.

Middleton emphasizes that industry players can learn from the project by innovating and constantly trialing new and more sustainable alternatives. “Innovation in packaging is important but arguably more important is ensuring the loop is closed on recycling where consumers play a key role.”

United Exports is also using the new packaging to draw attention to the superior quality of its products. Like all soft fruit, blueberries traditionally don’t keep well in paper or pulp because it can negatively affect shelf life. 

“OZblu genetics deliver bigger, crunchier and tastier blueberries with better shelf life. This means that OZblu blueberries are the perfect match for this innovative packaging,” says the company. 

Mauritius’ plastic problem 
In Mauritius, non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned since 2016. This year, the Environment Protection Regulations 2020 (Control of Single-Use Plastic Products) came into effect, phasing in the prohibition of the importation, manufacture, possession, sale, supply and use of single-use plastics. 

A 2019 report by the country’s Ministry of Environment and Waste Management found that with a total population of around 1.3 million, the nation generates around 1,488 tons of waste daily. 

Plastic wastes account for more than 75,000 tons (14%) of this, which are landfilled annually. However, only 2,000 to 3,000 tons of plastic wastes are recycled yearly, either locally or through export.

Middleton stresses that local industry must communicate better with consumers to continue improving the situation. 

“To minimize environmental degradation and carbon emissions further, we need to work in partnership with end consumers for a closed-loop reduce, reuse and recycling waste management system.”

By Louis Gore-Langton