Plastic Free July’s Post

A fascinating article from Packaging Europe that discusses the reasons behind Sainsbury's move away from plastic to cardboard punnets and trays for its range of own brand mushrooms.  As such, it is said to be the retailer’s largest undertaking to date when it comes to eliminating plastics – and is expected to make Sainsbury’s the first UK retailer to transition into cardboard for all its own-brand mushrooms. The move is thought to save over 775 tons of plastic, which is the equivalent of over 52 million pieces of plastic every year. With our range of Flutepac Ltd microflute corrugated punnets and trays, your fresh produce is sure to arrive at its destination in pristine condition - and thanks to the recyclable and compostable nature of the packaging, it is easy for the consumer to pop the packaging straight into the recycling bin once used! https://lnkd.in/evt9ewTc

🎯 The carton industry’s target of achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2030 can be achieved by “policymakers setting sorting and recycling targets on a national and EU level, as we have seen in the recent EU PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste) legislation, and through improved sorting technology in MRFs.” In the latest Packaging Gateway & Inside Packaging magazine Richard Hands discusses progress in carton recycling and the future of recyclable cartons Read the full article below ⤵ https://lnkd.in/gnyA-k-T

Deposit Return Systems in Europe

16 countries 🇪🇺 This is the number of European countries that have decided to truly address the issue of drink packaging in litter, to foster high-quality recycling, and to pave the way towards reuse ♻️ by introducing a Deposit Return System. An amount that has not ceased growing since the entry into force of the Single-Use Plastic Directive in 2019. Each national has its own specificities, to fit its context, but all successful systems share the same qualities : 🏬 A convenient return network with enough take-back points (in-store mainly) 🤲 A money-back right to ensure consumers can get their money back in any point selling drink packaging 💰 A high enough deposit level (based on the national living standards) 📢 A clear communication to make sure consumers understand what is in scope, 🫴 A handling fee to ensure the take-back points (supermarkets, HoReCa...) are compensated for collecting empty packaging. More countries are to come: 🇧🇪🇬🇷🇸🇮🇪🇸🇵🇹🇬🇧 https://lnkd.in/ebdCazuU

A reduction in packaging doesn't have to directly affect the consumer. This new packaging is expected to reduce 37,000kg!! of waste per year. Is there anything about this article that isn't win:win. I don't think so. https://lnkd.in/gQxdzBC9

"Keurig’s pods are made of polypropylene, or #5 plastic, which is accepted by some, but not all, recycling facilities. Capsules used by its rival Nespresso are made of aluminum, making them more easily recyclable." I'm not much of a fan of coffee pods--the water-to-coffee ratio never seems right, and the body is thin, particularly with K-cups. But the lack of mess and lowered water waste recommend them. But easy recyclability is one of the selling promises, and it turns out not to be completely true: https://lnkd.in/eHmgzSGR

📰 California advances the bill to strengthen the statewide ban on plastic shopping bags! On Tuesday, the state Senate and Assembly passed identical bills seeking to close the loophole allowing shoppers to purchase thicker plastic bags that are currently authorized to be provided for a fee. According to CALPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group), Californians generated an all-time high of plastic bag waste in 2021, which was the last recorded year. Despite the state banning plastic bags originally in 2014, the implications of the alternatives currently provided have proven the need to close this gap in the law in the interest of our environmental and public health. Now, the other legislative house must approve each bill, which must then be signed by the governor. If passed, these thicker plastic film bags will be banned in the state entirely! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gPpiRV5g

#Depositreturn systems are poised to take center legislative stage in the coming years, with strong potential benefits for the environment and economy, the Container Recycling Institute noted in a recent analysis and webinar. The analysis from the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) estimated that modernizing Massachusetts’ #bottlebill could divert 182,000 metric tons of #greenhouse gasses per year and bring another 3.1 billion containers into the recycling stream. Modernization would include expanding the program to cover noncarbonated beverages, wine and spirits, as well as increasing the deposit amount from 5 cents to 10 cents, the analysis noted. Right now, about 22% of non-deposit containers are collected for #recycling in Massachusetts, versus 38% of containers with a deposit. Based on data from Oregon and Michigan, if Massachusetts raised the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents, the deposit container recycling rates could hit more than 80%. Today, the state #recycles about 1.48 billion containers per year between the bottle bill and #curbsidecollection. That’s about 270 million plastic bottles, 926 million aluminum cans and 292 million glass bottles. If modernized, the state could collect an additional 3.1 billion #containers per year, an increase of 2.1 billion #plastic bottles, 509 million aluminum cans and 373 million glass bottles, the analysis estimated. https://lnkd.in/gMzCDXrc

What's New to The Street... Coke’s new attached bottle caps are hitting soda drinkers in the face! Some European consumers are frustrated by this packaging change aimed at complying with EU plastic recycling regulations. 🥤😅 Have you experienced this issue? What are your thoughts? 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #CocaCola #Sustainability #PackagingProblems #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet