Adare develops pioneering environmental Soft Fruit Packaging Solution
Adare has developed a groundbreaking, innovative environmental packaging solution for leading soft fruit supplier, Angus Soft Fruits - providing one of the first fully recyclable soft fruit punnets available on the UK market.
Angus Soft Fruits supplies strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries to a number of UK multiple retailers and challenged Adare to develop an environmental alternative to the conventional plastic punnets and lids used to package its products.
Angus Soft Fruits had previously looked into using pulp punnets as an alternative to the conventional plastic based materials, but was unable to find a suitable environmental solution for how these packs could be lidded. One of the key criteria was to find a way of allowing the customer to view the product without incorporating traditional plastic materials for the lids.
Taking the requirements into account, Adare developed a punnet made from recycled non-GM pulp which was safe for direct food contact, and both recyclable and compostable. To overcome the lidding issues, a printed board sleeve was developed which fitted around the punnet, but incorporated a clear film window made from Cellulose Diacetate to ensure good product visibility for customers.
Made from ethically sourced forests, the film can be recycled into the cardboard waste stream with the total pack, as well as being biodegradable and compostable.
The final packaging product has been created with the impact it will have on the environment in mind. Each component including; inks, varnish, labels and pads can be recovered through the cardboard recycling waste stream, and the long fibres of the punnet (manufactured for Adare by South Wales Company Moulded Paper) make it an ideal source for recycled paper.
Adare is therefore encouraging clients to stress the recycling element with end users as an alternative to composting. This sustainable, recyclable packaging solution is even more attractive when faced with the fact that most local authorities currently send plastic punnets to landfill - with conventional plastics taking hundreds of years to degrade.
Robert Whiteside, chief executive officer at Adare, comments: "With consumer environmental concerns regarding packaging it is vital that we are able to supply products and solutions to producers, and therefore on to retailers, that enable them to be seen as taking a positive approach towards packaging and the environment."
"Innovation is foremost in the development of environmentally-friendly packaging and we continue to work closely with all our clients to assess how we can minimise the impact on the environment whilst importantly maintaining the aesthetic aspects of their goods. With the punnet we have created for Angus Soft Fruits we have a clear success story in achieving that."
Harvey Sansome, Angus Soft Fruits technical manager, comments: "Adare has successfully addressed the concerns we had with our existing packaging and developed a punnet that enables us to offer recyclable packaging in this sector for the first time.
"Most plastic punnets end up in landfill, as only seven per cent of local authorities currently collect them in regular kerbside collections. The new packaging is both easily recyclable and cost-effective. We look forward to working with Adare on future developments in this area."
The new punnets can be seen in retail outlets, including all major Sainsbury's and Asda stores and selected Co-Operative stores from 22nd September.
