PKG0039

Written evidence submitted by LINPAC Group

LINPAC is an international market leader in the production of primary fresh food packaging and food service solutions.  We are a multi material technology provider operating across a network of 14 manufacturing sites servicing 71 countries.  We champion the reduction of food waste by delivering innovative and efficient packaging solutions.  With over 40 years of experience in food packaging safety and security, LINPAC is the most trusted brand in today’s market.

LINPAC has a heritage of sustainability embedded within the fabric of our business, which includes the sustainable innovation of packaging solutions.  We apply life cycle thinking as we innovate, taking into account material sources, right through to closed loop solutions driving towards a circular economy.  Recycling and Post Consumer Recycling is integral to our sustainability strategy, as such we improve the recyclability of tray packaging through sustainable material design and technologies by:

1)      Maximising the use (95-100%) of recycled rPET in LINPAC products.

2)      Optimising trays through LIFE (Lightweighting For Excellence) designs.

3)      Innovating to facilitate recycling.

Recycled PET from bottles is a highly valuable resource to LINPAC and the plastic packaging industry.  LINPAC has selected PET and rPET as a material of choice to help drive the increase of recycling by using the highest levels of recyclate; given that they are extremely effective and high performing materials with remarkable properties. LINPAC is continuing to invest in Super Cleaning technology at its manufacturing facilities, which is a highly effective and common process to produce food grade rPET pots and trays, meeting the highest of food, environmental and quality standards.  LINPAC’s total use of rPET in UK is circa quarter, higher than Coca Cola & Pepsi combined.

Impact:

1. The environmental impact of food waste far exceeds the environmental impact of an optimised fit-for-purpose packaging used to protect the food. Food packaging material and design features and benefits are essential in food safety, preservation and waste prevention. Packaging protects far more resources than it uses. The INPCEN Table for One study shows that just 10% of energy is used in primary and transport packaging in the food supply chain, compared to over 50% energy used in food supply, and over 30% in the household.
2. Bottle recycling rates are over 50%, with Wales now collecting 75% of their plastic bottles for recycling.  Sourced from RECOUP:

• 57% of plastic bottles are recycled in the household
• 68% (340 kt) of plastics collected from households are bottles
• 57% of plastic bottles placed onto the market are collected by the local authorities from households.
• Rate of PET bottle collection is 61% based on 2015 data from Recoup.

3. Plastic drinking bottles are mainly made of PET.  Recycled PET from bottles is a highly valuable resource to LINPAC and the plastic packaging industry. Why?

Top 10 material features and functional benefits of bottle recyclate for rPET packaging:

1)      Food safe choice for food packaging.

2)      Excellent oxygen barrier enabling longer shelf life of food, helping to reduce food waste.

3)      Excellent sealing and compatibility with lidding films, avoiding leakage and food contamination.

4)      Can be recycled (bottles widely recycled) for food contact applications.

5)      Does not absorb large molecules so is easy to clean. The polymer can be “repaired” after use, with the molecular weight increased so that the material becomes like new. In fact PET bottles can be recycled so that the PET can be used over and over again.

6)      Impact substantially lower due to opportunity for high recycled content (95-100% recyclate in trays).

7)      Low CO2:  up to 70% vs. virgin PET.

8)      Certainty of decontamination after use of appropriate technology.

9)      While PET/rPET is more dense, offers recyclability for food-contact applications.

10)  High clarity and strength per unit weight.

Progress:

4. LINPAC has significantly reduced post-consumer waste of PET bottles, which is a highly valuable, high quality resource for PET pots, tubs and trays. There is a substantial market for PET flake with an existing solution already in place.  LINPAC uses over 95% recycled content in our PET trays and supports maximum recycling of PET bottles as high quality raw materials.
5. Food hygiene is crucial in the use of recycled material. LINPAC recycles all internal PET waste, and purchases rPET flakes, supercleaned to EU food grade standards.  We can offer a substantial use and end market for PET flake. As the market shifts from PP to rPET for trays, the more material can come into the stream, back into food grade high value end markets.
6. As the market drives towards mono materials, LINPAC offers ELITE, a lightweight plastic pack for meat and poultry. The unique pack is manufactured from in excess of 95 per cent food-safe recycled content, which is typically recovered from plastic (PET) water bottles from household waste. Further to this, the Elite pack follows good practice for recycling guidelines, being fully recyclable post-consumer. Unlike other designs on the market, the novel pack features a specially designed sealant between the rigid tray and top film, which avoids the need for a PE layer and makes the mono-material easier to process by recycling companies. The process is the same as that used to recycle clear plastic water bottles, meaning that the resulting crystal clear recycled plastic (rPET) can re-enter the recycling chain to create closed-loop recycling and ultimately, contribute to a circular economy.  Importantly, the unique Elite sealant reduces the amount of material required to produce the pack, which considerably reduces its carbon footprint. Up to 5% lighter in weight than equivalent rPET trays, the pack has been developed in line with the LINPAC Project LIFE (Lightweighting for Excellence) initiative.

Solutions:

7. The majority of plastic bottles used in the drinks market are made from PET, which is highly recyclable into a variety of strong end markets, including bottles, trays, furniture and clothing. Promoting an increased understanding of the end markets to the public could be beneficial in giving them an understanding of plastic as a valuable resource that needs to be recycled back into the economy to create new products.
8. In relation to bottles, the most effective initiative has been consistency of recycling collection across councils. RECOUP has also undertaken successful campaigns under Pledge for Plastic. It aims to boost plastic recycling in the UK and achieve real behaviour change through consistent and simple messages. The programme provides local councils with off the shelf communications material for based on consumer research.
9. There is a critical need to drive consumer behaviour on littering. Litter behaviour lies with all of us as consumers, rather the industry. Restricting plastic bottles will not prevent litter. It will simply be replaced by another material.  Products do not litter, people do. Beverage containers make up around 6% of litter (INCPEN litter survey). This includes glass, plastic and cans, so the plastic fraction will only be a part of that. Improved access for recycling on the go is also essential.
10. LINPAC is pleased the government recognise industry’s voluntary action to reduce waste and increase recycling. Recycling has increased overtime but further work is needed. Challenges can be converted into opportunities:

a)      Design packaging for sustainability and recyclability, ensuring packaging remains fit for purpose.

b)      Consumer campaigns and education on behavioural change for recycling.

c)       Consumer campaigns and education on behavioural change for litter prevention.

d)      Increase waste collection infrastructure, including kerbside collection led by local councils.

e)      Increase consistency between kerbside collection schemes. LINPAC is involved in WRAP’s Household consistency work through PIRAP- the Plastics Industry Recycling Programme. England currently collects 57% of bottles from households for recycling, of which an estimated 61% is PET. Wales operates a harmonized collection with 75% of all bottles from households for recycling. Wales has a combination of incentives, targets and consistency of recycling.

f)        LINPAC does not hold a view on Deposit Return Schemes as the potential vehicle. What is of key importance to our business is access to the market of both high volume and high quality recycled materials from which to manufacture rPET food grade products. 

g)       Increase investment in detection and sorting capabilities and recycling technologies at recycling facilities.

h)      Increase use of post-consumer waste in new products.

11. Any policy implemented in this area must consider the whole life cycle of the product; that is the energy and resources used and the emission of greenhouse gases as well as end of first life. We are keen to embrace actions that will address all plastics packaging in use that will ensure improved resource efficiency, appropriate behaviours and actions at end of life and wish to develop policies that focus on developing more sustainable use of all plastics. We believe it is not appropriate for policies to focus narrowly on particular products that may offer many benefits to consumers and the environment, including responsible recycling.  To assist in this the industry is actively engaged in education programs in schools, is working with NGOs on behaviour change programmes and is willing through PIRAP to work with other stakeholders to bring about change where required.
12. If charges and taxes were imposed on one form of packaging in isolation one unintended consequence may to be shift use toward less sustainable options. It may also reduce littering of one item only to see litter of another item increase.

April 2017

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