Klöckner Pentaplast, Tesco, and Hilton Foods are piloting the UK's first food trays made from recycled PET material.
A sustainable food packaging initiative has been launched in the UK, as Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) partners with Tesco and Hilton Foods to introduce new food trays made completely from recycled PET.
The pilot program will feature Tesco's Finest minced beef products packaged in kp's Tray2Tray containers, sealed with FlexiLid barrier film containing 30 per cent recycled content.
Rebecca Harris, Global Account Director at kp, emphasised the significance of the project: "We launched our kp Tray2Tray initiative because valuable food-safe tray material enters the recycling loop, but all too often the rPET material is downcycled to other product applications. Until something changes and demand is boosted, the required collection, sorting and recycling at scale will not be sufficient.”
There is currently an estimated one million tonnes of PET trays produced annually in the EU, of which only five per cent are recycled back into food-grade trays.
James Bull, Head of Packaging and Food Waste at Tesco, stated: "We are determined to close the loop on our packaging – for it to be fully recyclable and contain recycled content wherever possible."
Andrea Jex, Procurement Director at Hilton Foods, added: “This achievement exemplifies the power of collaboration with our customers and suppliers to deliver market-leading innovation to the shelves.”
The project has already achieved recognition, with kp's production site in Pravia, Spain becoming the first food company to obtain the new closed loop module within the RecyClass Traceability Certification.
Harris explained the hopes for the initiative: “What we want to show in this proof-of-concept pilot is how our kp Tray2Tray made from 100 per cent rPET tray flake is a perfect 'drop-in' solution for retailers and packers. Switching incumbent packaging to more sustainable alternatives should be simple.”
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There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.