News

The Local Government Association’s latest report (Packaging News, June 2008) heavily criticised the supermarkets about their recyclable packaging, claiming that up to 38% of all food packaging in a typical shopping basket cannot be recycled.

Shock figures, yes, but these findings do nothing to show the significant research that is going on behind the scenes to find alternative environmentally friendly packaging.

Rather than just jump on the bandwagon of knocking the major multiples, the report would have done well to recognise some of the real breakthroughs that have been made. At Sun Branding Solutions we work with three of these so-called villains and have made huge strides in reducing their packaging waste.

One of the big initiatives we are working on is to provide recyclable laminate films. This takes time as it’s a technically difficult process, involving the removal of high-barrier materials. But progress is being made, and just imagine the impact this would have on landfill, for example, if we were able to recycle all crisp packets.

The sustainability of packaging is high on the agenda for every new product at the development stage. However, it is important to remember that any packaging recycling initiatives must adhere to all environmental and food quality guidelines. You cannot tackle recycling on its own.

The industry, its commentators and the media need to be patient and realise there is no quick fix, but there will be improvements over the next few years.

Ian Schofield
Group sales director
Sun Branding Solutions