In what it says is a UK first, Sharp Interpack has launched a range of polypropylene (PP) food trays and punnets incorporating both PP factory waste and post-consumer recycled (PCR) high density polyethylene (rHDPE).
The new range from Sharp's Yate, Bristol, factory includes mushroom punnets and poultry trays. The former combines a 50% blend of PP factory waste, rHDPE and a mineral filler (in varying proportions) with a 50% virgin PP content. The latter does the same, but without the mineral filler.
Says environmental manager Trefor Owen: "The materials are compatible, and the rHDPE gives the blend better impact strength. It will have a lower carbon footprint than 100% virgin polymer, but will still be identified as PP."
PP is recognised as an indispensible food packaging option. But there is no current collection or recycling of post-consumer PP packaging for food-grade applications.
Even if planned trials to sort PP from the mixed plastics waste stream come off, supply of PCR will still be a long way off. Meanwhile, Sharp's blend provides an alternative.