The key food packaging trend in 2018 is recycling and recyclable materials, in part because of the amazing media coverage of waste plastics, particularly the bGreat Pacific Garbage Patch.
In addition to corporate leaders who are adopting sustainable food and beverage packaging, the government now not only bans the use of plastics, but also requires recycled and reusable materials.
After the election in November 2016, California became a trendsetter, finally banning plastic bags at large retail stores. Many north American cities have followed this trend. In the United States, during the 2017-18 legislative season, state legislatures introduced more than 70 bills on plastic bags, including bans, charges and recycling programs.
In Australia, the state, state and territory’s environment minister has agreed on an admirable target: 100 per cent of Australian packaging will be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025.This is just a few years away and is an important opportunity industry for food packaging.
Vancouver was the first Canadian city to ban plastic straws (effective in 2019), which also banned distribution of polystyrene foam cups and containers that year – so food packaging users are looking for sustainable solutions.Vancouver also has restrictions on disposable cups and plastic shopping bags.The city aims to eliminate solid waste disposal completely by 2040.
The global trend in legislation is clear: plastic and single-use materials are less about recycling and more about sustainable food packaging.
It is a pity that Styrofoam is also included in the wave of prohibition. In fact, Styrofoam is a recyclable material, it is just that the recycling process is not so cost-effective. Styrofoam waste can be recycled effectively by GREENMAX Styrofoam compactor, with the compression ratio of 50:1, the compacted foam blocks can be recycled and reused to make photo frames and decorative moldings. Styrofoam is definitely recyclable and renewable material.
As Styrofoam is recyclable and it is a non – toxic and harmless, cost-effective packaging materials, it needs to be allowed for packaging products due to the fact that Styrofoam recycling is possible.