Visy’s plastic-free labelling system locks fresh produce with cardboard flaps, paper labels

AUSTRALIA – Visy has launched an automated labelling system for its Australian-made Enviropunnet cardboard punnets, using folded cardboard flaps and a paper label to secure fresh produce without plastic film or wrapping.

Visy’s proprietary Enviropunnet overclose system, which has already entered commercial use with a Victorian apple grower, is designed for apples, pears, stone fruit and tomatoes.

The equipment can be retrofitted into existing packing lines, allowing growers and supermarkets to transition from flow wrapping to labelling without additional conveyors.

Packaging Formats and Integration Details

The system supports several pack formats, including a 1kg Enviropunnet for apples, pears, stone fruits and tomatoes; a 750g format for pears, stone fruits and tomatoes; and a 500g to 1kg tray pack for premium apples. 

The labels use food-safe adhesives and can include adhesive-free zones to prevent contact with exposed produce, with optional date coding and custom printing available. 

The amount of plastic removed will vary according to the punnet size and flow-wrap specifications it replaces, but the shift represents a significant reduction in single-use plastic consumption across the fresh produce category. 

The system is expected to appear in more supermarkets as customers adopt the format, reflecting growing retailer commitment to reducing plastic packaging in the fruit and vegetable aisles.

Sustainability and Supply Chain Benefits

The Enviropunnet is produced through Visy’s Australian network, using board made in Wodonga and assembled in Shepparton, providing a secure, local supply chain. 

The punnets are kerbside recyclable after use, allowing recovered fibre to be used in new cardboard packaging. 

Visy group general manager Chris Van Der Merwe stated that the new labelling system enables the punnets to be plastic film and wrap-free while still protecting fresh produce, with the added benefit of kerbside recyclability. 

He added that growers and supermarkets can rely on Visy’s secure, local supply chain. 

The company, founded in 1948 by Leon Pratt who developed cardboard boxes to replace heavier wooden crates used to move apples, now employs 7,000 people across 150 sites and operates in recycling and remanufacturing, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to sustainable packaging innovation.

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