SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING - What does it really mean?
Sustainable packaging is a hot topic now particularly with many states introducing or considering the introduction of Single Use Plastics (SUP) regulations.
So, what makes one packaging option more sustainable than another? Confused by all the jargon?
It is vital that procurement professionals understand the various sustainability terms being used.
Renewable
Materials sourced from resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as responsible sourced paper.
Biosourced / Plant-based
Materials derived from biological sources – primarily plants.
Compostable
Materials that can be broken down into natural elements in a compost environment.
Biodegradable
Materials that can be broken down by microorganisms in a natural environment over time.
Recyclable
Materials that can be collected, processed, and made into new products.
Each state and territory in Australia have different rules. The National Retail Association provides a summary of the ever changing landscape in relation to single-use and problematic plastics.
Huhtamki leading the way in sustainable packaging
As a preferred partner of Blackwoods, Huhtamaki is a global leader in sustainable food packaging solutions - disposable cups, tableware, cartons and packaged food. They use innovative technologies such as moulded fibre – a renewable, recyclable and compostable material, that can be reused up to twenty-five times before it loses its strength.
