Parkside expands Park2Nature range of compostable solutions

04 Dec 2018 --- UK packaging solutions company Parkside has launched a range of compostable laminates suitable for different applications. In the wake of rising plastic resentment and environmental concern, the number of compostable packaging options available on the market has increased, largely due to its “greener” image. Compostable packaging in new food and beverage launches has increased with a CAGR of 41 percent in the last five years, notes Innova Market Insights.

Parkside's compostable laminates took seven years of research and development and, to date, the company has developed 19 accredited home and industrial compostable laminate structures designed to replace traditional plastic packaging. 

“Food manufacturers, brands and retailers are seeking packaging solutions which strengthen their green credentials,” says Phil O’Driscoll, Head of Innovation and NPD at Parkside.

Park2Nature
Parkside partnered with start-up Wallaroo for its range of healthy fruit snacks for children.

Manufactured with bio-based materials, the packs are home compostable, being designed to break down within 26 weeks.The Wallaroo Foods range is part of an expanding Park2Nature portfolio of compostable packaging solutions from Parkside.

The Wallaroo Foods range is part of an expanding Park2Nature portfolio of compostable packaging solutions from Parkside, having attained OK Compost Home and Seedling certification by TUV (formerly Vincotte) after achieving a high degree of compostability.

“Wallaroo is on a mission to encourage children to make better food choices by questioning where their food comes from, what it is made of and its impact on the environment. This ethos stretches from product to packaging and was a key reason for choosing to work with Parkside. Their compostable solutions are truly sustainable and help to extend product shelf life and minimize food waste,” says Abhisek, Wallaroo Co-Founder.

Parkside has also recently carried out independent marine testing on its compostable flexible packing film range. The compostable structures, including the specification designed for Wallaroo, have been proven to break down entirely in seawater.

Parkside believes it is the only company in the world with a fully tested compostable packaging solution having gone to this rigorous level. In addition, Parkside is the first UK company to secure the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) accreditation for its compostable packs.

Garden compostable 
Parkside has further collaborated with Alara Wholefoods Ltd. to produce a natural and sustainable liner for its range of organic muesli carton boxes.

Parkside developed a clear, duplex, home compostable, high barrier paper laminate to replace Alara’s existing petrochemical based polyester/polyethylene inner liner. Credit: Alara's Instagram.

Parkside has collaborated with Alara Wholefoods Ltd. to produce a natural liner for its range of organic muesli carton boxes, manfactured using bio-based materials that have been sustainably sourced. They are suitable for both home and industrial composting. Once the pack has been used, it can be added to an ordinary garden compost heap or included in local council food waste collections.

“These new liners are officially certified as home compostable in line with our ethical philosophy. Our aim is always to use sustainable and recyclable packaging, so we could not turn down the opportunity to work with Parkside and incorporate their innovative compostable liners into our packs,” says Alex Smith, Alara’s Managing Director.

Produced in the UK and sold in leading retailers, Ocado, Wholefoods Markets and Sainsbury’s, Alara’s organic muesli range uses 100 percent recyclable cartonboard outer packaging manufactured from renewable raw materials.

Parkside was recently nominated for a FlexoTech award in the UV Flexo, Paper and Board category and shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year award at the UK 2018 Packaging Awards.

Compostable solutions are appearing in a huge range of food and beverage categories. In beverages, for example, Corona will become the first global beer brand to trial 100 percent plastic-free six-pack rings. The new rings will be piloted in Mexico at the beginning of 2019, with further tests in the UK planned for later in the year. The plastic-free rings being tested are made from plant-based biodegradable fibers, with a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials. If left in the environment, they break down into organic material that is not harmful to wildlife, whereas the industry standard plastic six-pack rings are made from a photodegradable form of polyethylene that results in increasingly smaller pieces of plastic if not recycled. 

However, concerns have risen surrounding the term “compostable” when used in relation to packaging due to the range of time-spans compostable packaging can take to fully compost, and the fact that some materials need to still be collected and disposed of industrially. This, it has been said, can lead to large amounts of consumer confusion and unnecessary littering.