Heinz is working on a £250,000 project to trial lightweight cans, which, if successful, it claims could reduce household waste by 28,000t a year.
Trials on downgauged can bodies will start in February and are due for completion in October. This follows moves to convert most of its canmaking lines to manufacture cans with lightweight easy open ends, after successful trials at its Kitt Green site in the North West last year.
The scheme was funded by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) through its Innovation Fund and its findings will be published so that companies across the category can benefit. “The retail sector is probably the most innovative sector in the country,” said Innovation Fund manager Mike Robey. “We are trying to make sure that waste management is included in the [packaging] design brief.”
Northern Foods and Marks & Spencer have jointly received £38,400 from WRAP to aid in the development of a reduced weight ready meal pack and to carry out consumer and market research into its commercial and technical feasibility. The scheme is expected to save more than 1,900t of ready meal packaging a year, if the new design is a success. The project, which began in November 2005, is being carried out by Northern Foods' central technical services team, based in Nottingham. “We have a strong commitment to waste management for two reasons,” said Northern Foods director of communications Hilary Baker. “One: It cuts costs in business; and two: Its environmental impact.”
Geest Mariner Foods has also benefited from £25,000 WRAP funding to develop reduced weight packaging for Waitrose soups and sauces. Commercial manager at Geest Mariner Foods, Mark Ringland, explained that the firm is focusing on both environmental and functional improvements: “We have been given a great opportunity to trial an improved packaging system, looking at reducing the weight whilst at the same time building in improved value to our retail customers and ultimately on to their customers.”
The firm received the first half of the money in June after applying for funding in April. “We've been working on the idea for a year and we haven't reached prototype stage yet,” said Ringland. “The designer has predicted a certain level to which we can reduce the packaging's reliance on polypropylene, but there are a lot of questions on whether we can drive through the down weighting.” The company is looking to finish the project by 2007, and if the principle is taken on by manufacturers, then it could save 644t per year.
WRAP will be calling for new Innovation Fund applications from January 20 and is specifically interested in schemes based on drinks in cans, cartons and multipacks, providing that they contribute to household waste.