This could be achieved by reducing the thickness of the package material or in some cases by removing excess packaging, says Travis Klug, dairy marketing manager, Amcor Flexibles North America, Deerfield, Ill. Yet, he stresses there are alternatives for dairy processors seeking to offer sustainable packaging, including ICPG’s XPP Polypropylene Solutions, “which not only meets performance considerations and offers drop-in process compatibility on existing thermoforming and FFS lines, but also provides higher yields at lower costs providing a true sustainable, fully recyclable, cost-effective solution for the dairy industry,” Cage maintains.įor some cheese applications, packaging could be adjusted to decrease the total amount of plastic in the package. “…Providing excellent package integrity and performance throughout the supply chain, plastics continue to be the best choice for dairy packaging today.” “Plastics plays an important role in dairy and food packaging and continues to provide value for a wide variety of applications,” says Jonathan Cage, director of business development, ICPG, Putnam, Conn. However, plastic offers many unique properties that are difficult to replicate in packaging. “Dairy labels go through some of the most rigorous and thermal conditions during filling operations, but there are options that will maintain durability and also comply within recycle streams.” “Paper or plastic?”īased upon the aforementioned information, consumers are seeking sustainable packaging. With plastic so prevalently used in the dairy industry, we are members of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and follow the development of their guidelines closely to help advise our customers on the label construction that will best meet recyclability standards without sacrificing label performance,” Austing notes. “We work with customers to design sustainable label constructions to be optimally recycled with your container. However, they can be effective in reducing not only the material used, but can also reduce manufacturing waste and transportation emissions. These adjustments require some testing and tweaking especially when using automated application systems. On the labeling front, there are certainly many ways to achieve gains at one or multiple levels, suggests Katie Austing, vice president of customer service and sustainability, KDV Label, Waukesha, Wis. Many brands KDV Label works with have reduced the overall thickness and/or the size of their labels. “These cartons often indicate this sustainable attribute with a Bonsucro logo or the Carbon Trust ‘Reducing CO2 Packaging’ logo to help educate consumers, making it easier to identify and purchase sustainable packaging options.”įor some cheese applications, packaging could be adjusted to decrease the total amount of plastic in the package, states Amcor’s Travis Klug. “For example, some Tetra Pak cartons offer plant-based plastics made from sugarcane instead of fossil-fuel based sources, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the carton without compromising on food safety,” Pelz reveals. Packaging that offers additional sustainable benefits will often carry additional certifications or on-pack messaging, he says. Most packaging will indicate if it is recyclable, recyclable only where facilities exist, or in some cases, not recyclable at all. Sustainable packaging is also easily identifiable today, notes Jason Pelz, regional vice president of Sustainability for Denton, Texas-based Tetra Pak. By choosing sustainable packaging, dairy processors can not only meet consumer expectations but also gain a competitive edge in the market,” he tells Dairy Foods. “Sustainable packaging resonates with consumers as it aligns with their values and desire to make a positive impact on the planet. Christopher Gabriel, strategic marketing director for dairy for Chicago-based TC Transcontinental Packaging, holds a similar sentiment, noting sustainable packaging has emerged as a critical factor influencing consumer buying decisions.
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