Weekly Roundup: Pregis develops system to measure eco-impact of damaged transit goods

15 May 2020 --- This week in packaging, e-commerce packaging specialist Pregis introduced methods to measure the environmental impact of products damaged during transit, including electricity, forestry, natural gas, gasoline, solid waste, CO2, methane and habitat loss. Also, New Zealand-based international producer of technical laminates and protective packaging materials licensed EarthCoating from Smart Planet Technologies for use in next-generation environmental packaging solutions. The Scottish Parliament voted in favor of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which will become available in July 2022.

In brief: Products and services
Pregis developed methods to measure the environmental impact of products damaged during transit. For years, Pregis has been able to help companies quantify the cost of damage to their bottom line but now the company has taken a step further by developing EcoGauge, a proprietary calculator that quantifies the environmental impact. Pregis dedicated “significant resources” to ensure its inputs to quantify the impact are accurate. Several key metrics, including the annual number of shipments, average individual weight and damage percentage are used to determine the environmental impact (electricity, forestry, natural gas, gasoline, solid waste, CO2, methane and habitat loss).

Berry M&H launched a 1 L squeezy bottle design.Stratex licensed EarthCoating from Smart Planet Technologies for use in next-generation environmental packaging solutions. EarthCoating is a mineralization and plastic reduction technology said to provide superior performance and improved recyclability for all types of plastic, paper and paperboard packaging applications. Focused on the New Zealand and Australia markets, the Stratex partnership broadens Smart Planet Technologies’ technology reach into a wide range of flexible packaging applications requiring high barrier and heat seal performance.

Berry M&H unveiled a new 1 L squeezy bottle design for sauce or condiment ranges. Customers can choose from a natural finish of a range of colors to suit branding requirements. Manufactured in soft and durable polypropylene (PP), in its multilayer version – with the availability of hot-filling up to 95°C – the bottle will provide effective long-term product protection for an extended ambient shelf life with no loss of quality, the supplier states.Kellogg's released a line of JUMBO SNAX cereals in snackable sizes.

Kellogg's released a line of JUMBO SNAX cereals in snackable sizes. The new product line features fan favorites, including Kellogg's Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops–caramel crunch flavor and Kellogg's Frosted Flakes-inspired Tiger Paws. All four varieties will be widely available in two options: a 12-pouch multipack with 0.45-ounce single-serve bags, ideal for on the go or a midafternoon cereal snack, and a 6-ounce multiserve resealable bag, ideal for sharing during family movie nights.

In brief: Circularity action
The Scottish Parliament voted in favor of a DRS, which will become available in July 2022. The implementation of Scotland's DRS has been pushed back from April 2021 to July 2022 due to coronavirus concerns. Although the DRS is widely supported, non-plastic bodies including MPMA, Alupro and British Glass have raised concerns that the scheme could encourage increased use of plastic packaging.

Campbell announced new goals to reduce packaging waste by increasing circularity, keeping materials in use and out of landfills. The four goals are designed to address all phases of the packaging lifecycle, from sourcing to end-of-life, including recycling or composting. The holistic approach aims to reduce packaging waste through investments in recyclability, use of recycled content and consumer education and infrastructure with the following four goals:Campbell announced new circularity goals.

• Transition 100 percent of packaging to recyclable or industrially compostable designs and materials by 2030.
• Increase the use of post-consumer recycled content and incorporate 25 percent post-consumer recycled content into PET bottles by 2030.
• Drive increases in recycling rates through standardized on-pack labeling by including the How2Recycle label on 100 percent of packaging by 2022.
• Expand access to recycling and advance the development of infrastructure to improve the collection and recycling of packaging by building and investing in partnerships with peers and industry groups.

By Joshua Poole