50 million bags of food rubbish will end up in the bin this Christmas
LINPAC Packaging is helping retailers to reduce food waste during the Christmas season – a time when shoppers enjoy filling-up their cupboards with family treats but when they can also be at their most cavalier, by throwing much of it in the bin.
According to recent studies, UK families will splash out an average of £133.70 on Christmas Day food – but they will throw a fifth of it in the bin, and the day's festive feasting will create an extra 50 million bags of rubbish, or £600m worth of food*.
In line with its ‘Fresh Thinking’ innovation strategy, Europe’s leading multi-material food packaging manufacturer has developed a range of trays for fresh and cooked meats and other festive goodies – including nuts, dates and other dried fruits – which can significantly cut food waste.
The range includes LINPAC’s split packs which allow contents to be divided into separate portion-size compartments in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), to reduce spoilage and contamination.
The packs mean meat cuts will stay fresh and attractive, and consumers can store food in the fridge for longer without compromising food safety. They are ideal for Christmas shoppers buying meat for parties, as they will preserve it for as long as possible.
Joanna Stephenson, Vice-President Marketing & Innovation at LINPAC Packaging, said: “We know that too often when consumers use regular packs, some of the contents end-up in the bin – especially during the Christmas period when people often over-stock.
“56% of 3,000 householders in the UK admit they will throw away between 20 and 30% of that extra Christmas food as waste this year – so well-designed packaging from LINPAC means retailers can help consumers use the right amount of food and then keep it in the best condition for longer – minimising the food waste trend we’re all conscious of in today’s difficult economic conditions.
“Our split packs are designed so that the consumer can purchase a tray of four chicken drumsticks, for example, open one side of the pack and use two of them, then put the remaining two back in the fridge in a pack that is still completely sealed – with all the properties of an unopened pack.”
Another example of Fresh Thinking from LINPAC is the poultry tray range – Rfresh® MB. These new ecofriendly rPET trays contain up to 95% food grade post-consumer recyclate. Rfresh MB is produced with a PP base film layer, providing strong seal integrity, and has recently been launched with either a LINtop PP lock seal or LINtop PP peelable lidding film for optimum usability. Despite the high level of recycled content there is no compromise on tray performance or food safety, as the material goes through the LINPAC food-grade in-house ‘super cleaning’ system.
Ms Stephenson added: “LINPAC Packaging is committed to offering new and innovative ideas to its customers year after year. We are always seeking to develop and deliver fresh ideas to the market, ensuring we are offering sustainable packaging solutions that meet the needs of today’s retailers and consumers.”
LINPAC is unique in also offering films that are compatible with its range of trays – for optimum sealing. The company’s customer service team is on hand to offer advice on the best tray/film combinations, and customers can be secure in the knowledge that they will have a consistent supply of products from LINPAC’s factories located across Europe.
* The national survey was commissioned by food waste disposer maker, InSinkErator.
