Packaging and the Future

?What an interesting, exciting and challenging world of packaging we face in 2023. Whatever happens all products will need some form of packaging, and as we may well understand there will be many modifications.

?Plastics, as ever in recent times, is still having the proverbial brick thrown at it. Sadly it is alleged to be the worst material for contaminating the oceans and causing unnecessary wild life deaths. So much??affects the oceans, particularly via fishing, so packaging should not take all the blame. However this has persuaded some companies to move away from plastics. So wrong-as this means more use of paper/board, metals or glass all of which yield more carbon emissions which increases the Climate Change problems which will not go away.

?There is so much R&D work proceeding in ways to change this movement and many will be successful. PVOH is thank goodness being used more and how exciting to see the results of seaweed via Notpla – now it needs help to upscale production. Wool has been used for some time and now ‘chicken feathers’ packaging is coming forward as an alternative. One can also add Graphene and nano technology to the possibilities for exploration.

?Now we move into??EPR (Extended Producers Responsibility) territory??and as advised by DEFRA last year all eligible companies should be recording their figures on the waste management of packaging from the !st January. This will be mandatory by March and the figures sent to where we do not know ! All this reminds one of recycled plastics and the need for 30% plus to be incorporated into packaging. Some of the larger companies are already doing this, but many are not as ‘quality’ recycled plastics are in short supply. We need mor recycling units, therefore more investment. When will parliament provide the much awaited comments to DEFRA regarding the distant past consultations?

?The tax on Virgin plastic materials has, I understand, brought in ￡16 million – where has this gone or is it held in suspense? This in turn brings me on to the ‘ consistency of waste collection’, yet another area awaiting Government comments.. In my opinion this is critically needed to release undoubted side requirements such as labelling and help to release funds for more recycling units in every area.

?I feel sorry for the collection agents all waiting to see what comes next, How many bins will there be and what common system will be used for collections around the UK???Where will the EPR go and who is the much awaited ‘systems administrator’? How will the DRS (deposit return scheme) fit into this new system and once more extra??labelling will be needed?

?With the tragedy of two years of Covid disruption much has changed but we still survive and buy products – all packaged. There has been an increase in buying from home with a greater use of corrugated board which has affected the supply chain with longer delivery times. Selective recycling is needed here to keep a hold of deliveries. There will be more demand for the home food delivery services -will that be at the expense of restaurants???Of course recycling will not cover all and we must consider re use, refill and re manufacturing.??All of which will mean changes in the way we shop and hopefully more help and explanations for the general public.??We must all embrace new ways and, as I was taught as a child, we must not litter – take all your empty packaging home for disposal.??Above all please do not revert to less protective or no packaging, particularly for food and drink, as this will eventually create more food waste which will yield more carbon emissions than any packaging.

?As with all industries the world of packaging lacks so many trained packaging personnel and the older technologists are now nearing retirement. This problem is global and to attain sustainability, a circular economy and lower Climate Change figures there must be more facilities and teachers. Packaging now has to include waste management in it’s inventory and this needs to be incorporated into an education philosophy. Part of our needs inevitably is LCA ( life cycle analysis ) and using this via a trained packtech or a specialist consultant. Advice can be given to compare production processes and carbon emission figures – software is available at Benchmark.

?Finally I am pleased to announce that I have booked the RAF Club in London for a Packaging lunch on the 23rd?May. All are very welcome and I hope this will bring our industry together for an excellent networking opportunity. Further details will be available in the next few weeks. Anyone who has not already expressed an interest can do so??via my email??[email protected]

?I wish you all an interesting and successful 2023

Keith Barnes

09/01/23