How Recyclable Packaging Helps Food Brands Achieve Sustainability Goals

Your food packaging could also be labelled “recyclable”, merely as the main film material is primarily composed of polyethylene, that is polyethylene based films, but it might well not be the primary component within your packed items packaging!

This is really due to the fact that there can be a number of components incorporated into the finished packaging system. These consist of; layers for barrier; adhesives for linking; different inks for print; a variety of covering materials that seal the plastic as well as protect the food item; various closers; the usage of spouts in your pack; as well as even labels used on the external of your pack. All these aspects can impact your pack’s capability to undergo sortation as well as a recyclable plastic process. On top of these factors, you have to likewise take into account your local collection, sorting and processing facilities, which can vary in their capability as well as their techniques in regard to handling plastic products.

Therefore, for your food product to fulfil a "recyclable" certification, the concerns can not simply concentrate on "Can this material be recycled"? As an alternative, you should take a look at, “Is the comprehensive packaging framework able to be reconciled with the target recycling circulation system in our selected region or territory?” Below are a variety of elements to look out for in your product pack, which you might utilize to evaluate a new plastic food product packaging selection, or when contrasting brand-new provider quotes.

Identify the Main Packaging Material

Initially, avoid packaging declarations of “eco-friendly film” and obtain thorough details about your item’s structural make-up. This means knowing not only the polyethylene film but all other items and compounds made use of as well as the exact structure of the package’s layer development, for example for the movie utilized. When creating film using solely the material polyethylene (mono PE or one polymer – a primary substance packaging style for flexible packaging), Cailyn focuses on the total structural configuration for each and every food item.

Common kinds of PE structures feature:

· Stand-up pouches

· Flat-bottom pouches

· Three-side seal bags

· Sachets

· Spout Pouch

· Rollstock film

Nevertheless, a “mono substance” product design implies that each layer material does not always require to be made purely from PE. Your full packaging could also include additional, functional products such as certain barrier products, inks, as well as adhesives, which should all be examined.

Check Barrier Layers and Adhesives

Food item packaging’s goal must be to shield the food, while remaining able to satisfy environmental goals. Sensitive foods like coffee, nuts, food powders, and also pet food, might require added safeguards to guarantee security versus humidity, grease, smell, and air penetration. A PE type packing design might thus include added layer functions, like a controlled barrier layer, relying on the kind of item, its intended shelf-life and your specific barrier requirements.

Any additional protective layers ought to be taken into account in their entirety and not individually.

Where recyclability assessment data are available, review whether the adhesive or ink system affects extrusion stability, odor, gel formation, appearance or mechanical properties of the recycled material.

Review Printing Inks and Surface Finishes

Printing on the outer surface of your packaging can affect recycled material quality if the density or the type of ink applied is too dense or the design uses highly reflective metals or coatings.

Before approving the package, confirm:

· Printing method

· Ink system

· White ink coverage

· Matte or gloss coating

· Metallic ink or foil effects

· Surface treatment

· Printed surface area

This does not mean that recyclable packaging must be plain or unattractive. Mono-PE pouches can still use professional custom printing and different surface effects.

The objective is to maintain your brand image while also respecting the needs of the targeted waste recovery stream and it is possible to develop aesthetically pleasing packaging without compromising on these factors.

Check Zippers, Valves, Spouts and Labels

Functional components should not be ignored.

A food pouch may include:

· A resealable zipper

· A coffee degassing valve

· A spout and cap

· A product label

· A transparent window

Wherever possible, ensure these devices and also components align with the main polyethylene based product structure used for the pouch. Therefore, your “recyclable” beverage coffee, for instance, made with a PE packaging framework, may very well have an additional valve or zipper in position - thus, the whole pack’s ability to recyclable, not just the pouch itself, must be examined first.

Confirm Local Collection and Recycling Access

A package can be designed for recyclability without being collected in every city or country.

Actual recycling depends on whether the target market has suitable:

· Consumer collection channels

· Sorting systems

· Film recycling facilities

· End markets for recycled material

This distinction is important when preparing on-pack environmental claims.

Avoid unsupported wording such as:

· 100% recyclable everywhere

· Fully recyclable in all systems

· Zero environmental impact

An additional method of saying would be: Designed to collaborate with the specified PE Flexible product recovery stream, at the mercy of the whole product pack design as well as nearby availability to suitable collection system. Your usage of recyclable plastic labels as well as product recycling guide symbols should likewise be checked against regional criteria.

Request Supporting Documents from the Supplier

The successful packaging recycling proposal should consist of more than just a product sample and quotation.

For each project ask:

· Complete material structure

· Technical data sheet

· Film thickness

· Main polymer information

· OTR and WVTR data

· Laminating adhesive information

· Materials for zippers, valves or spouts.

· Food-contact documentation

These documents assist the procurement, quality, and sustainability teams of the brand to look at the entire packaging structure.

They are not indicative of universal acceptance by recycling programs but they contain the technical details needed to evaluate the program.

How Cailyn Supports Recyclable Packaging Evaluation

Cailyn supports food brands to assess recyclable packaging for a product, instead of providing a blanket material recommendation.

We can support you by:

· The existing packaging system will be examined.

· Determining product barrier requirements

· Suggesting appropriate mono-PE action

· Checking zippers, valves and spouts

· Available material specifications are provided.

· Providing food-contact documentation

· Making sample pouches/trial rolls

· Providing the sealing and machine testing facilities

· Creating pilot and commercial production plans

Brands can start rather than change an entire product line at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every mono-PE pouch recyclable?

Not automatically. The whole packaging system, including the functional parts and the local recycling system should be taken into account as well.

Do adhesives make a pouch non-recyclable?

Not necessarily. The adhesive type, application amount and effect on the recycling process should be evaluated.

Can a recyclable pouch still provide a high barrier?

High-barrier mono-PE structures are available for selected applications. The structure should be matched to the product and validated against the target shelf life.

Request a Packaging Structure Review

Please send your product type, existing packaging make-up, intended shelf-life, required components, package’s dimension as well as the target market.

Primary CTA: Request a Recyclable Packaging Review

Secondary CTA: Get a Custom Packaging Quote