Thursday October 12, 2023
Exclusive brand Sustain range of renewable and compostable food packaging
Bunzl Catering Supplies launches its fully updated exclusive brand Sustain brochure this week, featuring an ‘Agri Bag’, made from agricultural waste fibres, with a 28% lower carbon footprint than a standard paper bag. Accessed via the homepage of the Bunzl Catering Supplies’ Innovate website, the 32-page brochure features Bunzl Catering Supplies’ complete range of renewable and compostable food packaging products, including EN13432 certified PLA lined cups, PLA tumblers, Bagasse food containers, paper cutlery and paper straws.
Sustain is a range of foodservice packaging made from renewable resources, certified compostable EN13432, the products are engineered to break down into organic matter when disposed of correctly. EN13432 certification is a stringent European standard and gives clear information on how to dispose of a product responsibly so that it may undergo a controlled and efficient decomposition process in industrial composting facilities. Sustain products labelled compostable are fully compostable in commercial composting facilities and will break down into reusable compost within 12 weeks, when placed in a dedicated compostables bin.
Benefits of compostable Sustain food packaging include:.
- Waste Reduction: Sustain food packaging can help you cut down landfill and incineration waste, contributing to improved waste management.
- Renewable materials: Composting Sustain food packaging materials means supporting soil systems and helping to regenerate renewable materials.
- Consumer Appeal: Attracting environmentally conscious consumers, Sustain food packaging lets customers know that you buy responsibly and sustainably.
- Resource Conservation: Responsibly sourced and utilizing renewable resources, Sustain food packaging reduces reliance on fossil fuel-derived materials.
- Legislation compliance: Adhering and aligning with existing and incoming legislation, Sustain food packaging provides viable alternatives to products affected by Government bans or restrictions.
Renewable and compostable material types in the updated Sustain brochure include PLA and bagasse, and a new addition – agri-waste (agricultural waste). The material agri-waste is the name used to describe plant based agricultural by-products, from crops like straw, which are pulped and used to create paper products such as the new Sustain Agri Bag.
The new Sustain Agri Bag, available from 2024, made from agri-waste, is a paper bag with a carbon footprint 28% lower than a standard paper bag made from virgin material. Fully renewable, certified compostable EN13432, when Sustain Agri Bags are sent to a commercial composting facility they will break down into reusable compost within 12 weeks. Otherwise the bag is 100% recyclable in a paper waste stream.
Items in the Sustain brochure, made from PLA, include Sustain PLA lined hot cups, food containers, trays and pots and PLA tumblers. PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a compostable polymer used for lining Sustain cups. Derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, Sustain products that use PLA are EN13432 certified, which means that when placed in dedicated composting waste streams they are designed to break down into organic matter.
Bagasse products in the Sustain brochure, include Sustain plates, bowls, trays and food containers. Bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane processing, is used to make Sustain plates, bowls and food containers. The process involves harvesting sugarcane and extracting sugar, which leaves a fibrous residue that is then dried and pulped, before being moulded into food packaging
PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a compostable polymer used for tumblers and lining Sustain cups. Derived from renewable sources like corn starch or sugarcane, Sustain products that are lined with PLA are EN13432 certified, which means that when placed in dedicated composting waste streams they are designed to break down to organic matter.
Sustain food packaging is sourced and manufactured in an ethical and responsible way, with supplier performance audited against many commercial and social measures to ensure the products are fit for purpose with the relevant ethical and legal compliance. Manufactured from renewable resources Sustain food packaging is made up of components or materials that are derived from natural sources that can be managed responsibly so that they will replenish or regenerate.
A number of Sustain food packaging products are marked FSC®. FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is a non-profit organization that sets certain high standards to make sure that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner. The use of FSC certified products can help to alleviate the pressure of demand on sources of virgin material, thereby helping to protect the world’s forests.
Please contact us for more information about the exclusive brand Sustain range of food packaging – or click here.
