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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FRESH (FRESH - Fully bio based and bio degradable ready meal packaging)

Teaser

Summary

What is the problem / issue being addressed?
Each year over 1.3billion black CPET trays are used in packaging in the UK and despite being technically fully recyclable, a significant proportion end up in landfill. The reason for this is that the main pigment used to colour black plastic, carbon black, is not detectable by the near-infrared optical sorting equipment, because it does not allow the light to pass through.

Ready meal consumption continues to grow throughout Europe â€“ 6.5 billion meals and growing. The trays they come in are creating vast quantities of waste, many of which go for landfill.

The need for a sustainable circular economy has increased, programs like Blue Planet have given the public and consumers awareness around the difficulties with recycling black plastic and the impact plastic has both on land in water is becoming increasing alarming for all.

UK retailers are responding, Iceland, Waitrose, Coop have all issued statements to reduce the reliance on plastic packaging by 50% before 2025.

Why is it important for society?
While today plastic is an important material for our economy, providing multiple benefits to modern day living, plastic can take thousands of years to biodegrade. It takes up valuable space in landfill sites and is polluting the natural environment, having a significant impact on our oceans.

The need for a sustainable circular economy has increased, programs like Blue Planet have given the public and consumers awareness around the difficulties with recycling plastic and the impacts plastic is having.

Sustainable Packaging is now seen as essential for most if we are to protect the planet for the future of all populations.

What are the overall objectives?
Project Fresh goal is to deliver a full value chain that will demonstrate (including customer satisfaction) a fully bio based ready meal package, that is 100% bio based and a biodegradable alternative made from natural resources using new technology is a possibility.

The aim to deliver a food safe 100% bio degradable product
Be at least 10% lighter than the fossil alternative.
Deliver the same or better technical and functional properties than a PET food tray.
Show a radical improvement environmentally, CO2 reduction of more than 80%
Opening new applications and markets with increased competitiveness for the European pulp, board and paper making industries.

Work performed

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far.
The market research has clearly shown a lack of understanding as to how plastic packaging is handled in the UK circular economy. Consumer research confirmed the UK population does care about the environment and the impact their behavior has on that. A more sustainable packaging solution for ready meals application would be welcomed and supported. The consortium has worked vigoursly to pilot a product which is microwavable, and dual ovenable applicable. The Fresh tray is food safe certified, and as a result a pilot and small-scale product testing was carried though out the complete supply chain. Extensive testing continued, a goal to enhance the packaging performance at pilot trials to a small operational run. Consumers have experienced and appreciated our option. Our results have been pleasing, thus allowing the confidence of a UK retailer to support a national trial.

Final results

Progress beyond the state of the art, expected results until the end of the project and potential impacts (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far).

A plastic free, 100% bio degradable, bio-based solution can be achieved. Consumer experience and wider reach through increased testing and product development should allow for a commercial viable alternative to plastic. A functional, technical alternative to plastic is a reality, produced from a fully sustainable feedstock, improved environmental and local society acceptance could be a reality.