We consider recyclability at the outset when designing your doypack packaging to ensure your bespoke pouches are designed to increase their suitability for recycling. Changes to packaging design and manufacture must be taken in the context of overall packaging performance and not in isolation, which is how SPS Pouches can assist you.
The drive towards using some biodegradable and compostable materials represents a challenge and is not always considered to be helpful. Mixing bio-degradable materials with others represents a test for the current mechanical recycling schemes where they are perceived as a disruptor to conventional plastic recycling.
Bioplastics generally refers to three main types of packaging materials; oxo-degradable, biodegradable, and compostable. These terms are incorrectly often used interchangeably causing confusion, and where it concerns the disposal of bioplastic products, it can have serious adverse consequences.
Claiming a plastic is biodegradable without any further context, is misleading. Oxo-degradable has been heavily criticised by leading environmental groups, and there have been calls for it to be banned. Given enough time, nearly every material will biodegrade. Biodegradable is the ability of a material to undergo a chemical process during which micro-organisms convert materials into natural substances.
Compostable products require that the material biodegrades within a certain period of time and leaves no toxic residue in the soil.
Generally speaking compostable waste requires separate collection and sorting, and the packaging cannot just be thrown on the garden compost heap as much of the marketing would suggest.
The overall environmental effect of flexible packaging is misunderstood. With limited national infrastructure for the collection of waste, it is increasingly important that recycling technology continues to develop. Approximately 80% of local authorities accept clean PE films for recycling, although no local authorities offering collection of PP films. The recycling infrastructure will not change overnight, and it has been estimated that £100 million industry wide recycling investment is required.
Before becoming waste, analysis shows the carbon footprint of a pouch to be considerably lower than that of a plastic bottle. Pouches are a lightweight solution which allow material and cost savings. Pouches occupy less space during transportation in comparison to glass or aluminium or plastic containers, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.
We support the circular economy, the reduction of waste and encourage the drive to ever increasing rates of recycling. Our aim is to be at the forefront of sustainability initiatives and to fully engage in this key issue. SPS Pouches are closely following the work and research of leading independent organisations to design waste out of our pouch packaging.
Pouches help prevent waste which is the starting point of circular economy thinking. Changes to the design should not jeopardise the primary function of packaging, which is to protect the product it contains and avoid waste. It is a misconception that flexible packaging has unnecessary adverse environmental consequences; food waste is even more damaging. For food products, flexible packaging plays a prominent role in preserving freshness, quality and flavour.
We pride ourselves on great quality, technical expertise and sustainable packaging know-how. Our packaging specialists want to help you get the right results for your business with competitive pricing, great service and reasonable minimum order quantities.
Please provide us with as much detail as possible about your packaging requirements.
