Linpac Tackles Food Waste With Packaging Innovation

One of the most effective ways to reduce food waste in Australia is to improve packaging, according to Alan Davey, Director of Innovation at LINPAC, a leading fresh food-packaging manufacturer.

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, around one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to around 1.3 billion tonnes per year. Alan Davey is a keynote speaker at next month’s Australia Institute of Packaging (AIP) event in Victoria, where he will discuss why packaging in itself is a green technology, protecting and preserving food throughout the supply chain and therefore reducing food waste. Mr. Davey will also address why rPET packaging sets the standard in packaging sustainability.

Located in Melbourne, Victoria, LINPAC manufactures fully recyclable rPET rigid packaging for meat, fish and poultry in Australia, as well as supplies a range of innovative packaging solutions for bakery, prepared and chilled foods and fruit and vegetables in conjunction with its global INFIA and barrier films businesses.

In developing packaging which extends product shelf life and delivers exceptional presentation, to meet the needs of Australian packers and retailers, LINPAC have brought to market Rfresh® HB and Rfresh Elite, both fully recyclable at the end of use, minimising food waste through the supply chain and in the consumer’s home.

Rfresh Elite is relatively new to the Australian market. It is a ground-breaking, super lightweight, mono-material tray, which uses a unique, patented sealant on the tray flange to create a secure seal with the lidding film. This removes the need for the industry standard laminated PE base film.

Mr. Davey, who will be discussing the development of Rfresh Elite at AIP, said: “Whilst food waste is a massive problem which is being addressed by LINPAC, recyclability of packaging is another key issue. Our Rfresh Elite trays are revolutionary in their ingenious sealing system, as the new sealant can be removed in the hot wash processes typically used by plastics recyclers. This means a recycled Rfresh Elite tray will yield 100 per cent crystal clear PET – a breakthrough in tray packaging design.”

To further enhance the environmental credentials of the range, Rfresh Elite trays are manufactured from up to 95 per cent post consumer recyclate in a bid to create a closed loop recycling process and have been developed in conjunction with the company’s light weighting programme. Today, the product is the ultimate solution for meat and poultry packers in search of a high performing sustainable packaging option.

“Developing and delivering innovative and efficient packaging solutions which help to reduce the amount of food and packaging entering the waste stream has always been a key objective of LINPAC”, continues Mr. Davey. “Fresh thinking is the heart of our company and LINPAC is at the forefront of developing novel packaging solutions for our customers.

“Consumers are demanding brands and retailers produce more efficient packaging, both in terms of their performance and their environmental impact, and at LINPAC we are leading the packaging industry in new developments which address these key demands.”

Alan Davey will be speaking on day one (June 1, 2016) at AIP at 11am.

Source: LINPAC