UK – European packaging company Coveris has teamed up with British food-to-go business Simply Lunch to develop sustainable packaging for the latter’s Stir Me Up Salad range.
The new lidded trays are said to achieve an 85% plastic reduction compared to the previous packs. The new format incorporates a certified sustainably sourced board and features On-Pack Recycling Label guidance.
The transition is in line with Coveris’ ‘No Waste’ vision and Simply Lunch’s commitment to reducing waste by downgauging materials and extending their lifecycles.
Coveris food-on-the-move director Paul Robertson said: “Coveris is committed to its No Waste vision and is proud to support Simply Lunch on its sustainability journey with this packaging development.
“Simply Lunch has brilliantly utilized the packaging’s printable space to create a range that stands out on the shelf.”
Simply Lunch uses the packaging’s fully printable outer face to communicate its values, such as making sustainable eating easier.
The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) guidance aims to help consumers engage with Simply Lunch’s sustainability journey and the range’s recyclability.
Simply Lunch marketing and branding manager William Page said: “Working with like-minded packaging partners is key for us to hit our ambitious sustainability objectives.
“Coveris has supported us in the development of this product, providing expertise where needed. This pack reinforces our purpose of ‘improving lives through delicious food.”
The move comes at a when plastic packaging waste has become a major issue, with the British government committing to a 25-year plan that would phase out disposable packaging by 2042.
According to UKRI, around 41% of plastic packaging is used for food, with the UK generating 1 million tonnes per year of packaging waste.
Currently, many consumers are boycotting plastic packaging. However, this is leading to a rise in food waste (and foodborne illness risk) due to decreased shelf life.
With an increased preference for sustainably packaged products, consumers are pushing packaging companies and food producers toward a circular economy.
Through the adoption of innovations and technology, companies such as Coveris are empowering food producers to shift to green alternatives.
Early this year, Coveris partnered with UPM Raflatac to develop a range of label and recycling solutions for UK-based food producer Cranswick.
Made from UPM Raflatac RAFNXT+, the lighter and recyclable liner will replace Cranswick’s existing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) release liner.
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