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Film and Packaging Materials
There are many different approaches that your business can take to make your packaging more sustainable — for further advice, get in touch with the Record Packaging Solutions team.
Adopt Mono-Material Packaging Films
Many different styles of packaging, such as stick packs and pillow bags, use film to protect the product they contain. To avoid generating high volumes of waste, consider switching your choice of packaging film from a laminated multilayer material to a mono-material like polyethylene (PE), which are much easier to recycle. This means less waste going into landfill.
Reduce Packaging Waste Through Film Reduction
You can also reduce your overall film usage by slightly modifying your packaging design. This might include reducing the micron or reducing the width and crimps. When looking at film, you will need to examine the expected throughput, the presentation and characteristics of the product, and the required space for marketing. The Record Packaging Solutions team can advise you on suitable parameters and weigh the importance of each factor for the end consumer, recommending the correct film solutions for their application.
Adapt Packaging Machine Designs to Reduce Waste
Depending on the packaging machine that you are using, you can often reduce material waste by modifying the design of your equipment. This can be achieved by using a fixed folding box and reduced crimps on your packaging machine. Sealing systems such as ultrasonic sealing or impulse sealing may also allow the reduction of the sealing area, therefore using less plastic than traditional approaches. We can consult on any application and advise as required, in line with your specific aims and specifications.
Switch to Bio-Based Materials
Just as some businesses are making the switch to mono-materials, others are switching from plastic-based to compostable materials. Some examples are PLA-based and fibre-based films, but there are plenty of other options to explore, including paper-based films.
There are two different types of paper-based material. Paper with a PE laminate on the inside allows for the sealing of the packs, and there is also the availability to use paper with PE spray. This product is often advertised as 100% natural material with an eco-friendly plant-based coating — we can use sugar cane to make poly ethanol, which can then be used for the spray layer. Poly ethanol and polyethylene have the same chemical structure, making this an ideal substitute.
Extending Product Shelf Life: Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Reducing your carbon footprint is a key part of sustainability efforts that can help protect the environment while also providing cost savings and other benefits. At Record Packaging we can extend the shelf life of your products using Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) methods and materials.
So, what is MAP packaging? It involves altering the atmosphere within the package itself to slow down the spoilage of the product. This is achieved by removing oxygen from the packaging and replacing it with a mixture of gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or argon. By doing so, the growth of microorganisms that cause spoilage is slowed, and the shelf life of the product is extended.
The Benefits of Modified Atmosphere Packaging
- Extending the shelf life of products, resulting in fewer emissions generated by the production, transportation, and disposal of the wasted food
- Reducing the need for refrigeration, which is a significant source of energy consumption. MAP packaging enables products to be stored at room temperature.
- Minimising the need for preservatives, which can have negative impacts on both the environment and human health. MAP packaging extends shelf life significantly without relying on preservatives, promoting healthier options for both our bodies and the world around us.
Got a packaging challenge?
Record Packaging can help.
We specialise in box motion flow wrap machines and our friendly staff are ready to assist you. Get in touch by giving us a ring or completing the contact form on our website. We’re looking forward to discussing how our machines can streamline your operations!
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