Sustainable Packaging for the Meat and Poultry industry in Ontario By Jean-Francois Bourdeau, President and General Manager of Duropac
In this article, Jean-Francois Bourdeau, President and General Manager of Duropac, highlights challenges in offering ‘sustainable’ packaging solutions to the meat and poultry industry
T
oday food processors face ever-changing market pressures from consumers, retailers, and regulators. At times it feels like juggling too many balls which constantly change weight and size. Sustainability is a new ball thrown into the mix for food manufactures by consumers and retailers.
Definition of sustainability in the Meat and Poultry business What is sustainability and how is it defined in the context of food packaging? The most frequently used definition is ‘avoidance of the depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance.’ Many people would disagree with this definition, just as they would disagree on any solutions or programs that others would consider sustainable. The industry is flummoxed with the definition of sustainability as well as choices of readily available sustainable packaging solutions. This is the current state of sustainability in the Meat and Poultry business today.
Canadian plastic industry and sustainability Later this year the Government of Canada, following the 2019 national report on the plastic industry1, will decide the fate of single-use plastics such as straws, bags, cutlery, and perhaps primary food packaging. The sobering data from the study indicates Canadians throw away three million tons of plastic waste every year. About 86% of plastic ends up in landfills, 9% is recycled and 4% is incinerated. While we wait for a verdict on the future of single-use plastics, we ought to examine practical sustainable solutions given the current Canadian waste management infrastructure, innovative non-plastic materials, and reusable containers. Primary packaging for meat and poultry could be marked as single-use plastic and a path to substitute or eliminate primary plastic packaging may be carved out. Although this is unlikely soon, we ought to start exploring current solutions in the industry that most industry stakeholders agree are sustainable. Continued on page 30
New Eco-retrack Shrink bags
NEW Biodegradable Plastics Available Vacuum pouches Thermoforming Film Shrinkable bags Casing • Now Available for - Frozen food (Barrier) - Fresh (non-Barrier) • Opaque bags (colored) - White - Beige • Extended printing capabilities - 10+10 colors
When you pack with us, it stays fresh. Toll free 1.877.362.2552
28
BlockTalk - Summer 2021
• Barrier options: - EVOH - PVDC www.meatpoultryon.ca
