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We use various types of packaging materials for the products we process; generally paper or monoplastic. These are interesting materials that evoke differing emotions among consumers. Paper, for instance, appears more acceptable than plastic or monoplastic, but is this really the case? Vetipak specialist Tom Hopman, and Rob Daniels from Packaging Partners explain.
“There are advantages and disadvantages to both paper and monoplastics”, states Tom. “For instance, although paper is easy to cut and has a low sealing temperature, it’s also easy to damage or tear, for example as a result of the impact of products landing in the pack. Monoplastics can withstand this better, but have the disadvantage of being more likely to melt if the sealing temperature is too high. This means there’s always a trade-off between the client’s demands and technical feasibility.”
Rob Daniels - Packaging Partners
Interesting discussion
Rob is of the same opinion. “Consumers tend to think: paper is good, plastic is bad. After all, paper is renewable because you can plant new trees, whilst the life cycle of plastic, as a fossil resource, is finite. However, plastic does have properties that paper doesn’t, including extending shelf life, user-friendliness, applicability, and functionality. We should also not forget that considerably more water and energy are needed to produce paper, and that, due to the higher weight, more transport movements are required.”
Getting the best out of each material
According to Tom, as a product, paper is also often not a hundred per cent pure either, with such things as printing ink or polymer additives making recycling more difficult. “So we need to keep on innovating and continue searching for improvements”, he states. “It’s a challenge we’re delighted to accept as we aim to get the best out of each material.”
Fit for purpose
Rob understands consumer emotions on this topic, but advocates a fit-for-purpose approach. “Why pit paper and plastic against each other? They each have their own unique properties. It’s much better to view them as alternatives. After all, we don’t ask ourselves why buckets aren’t made from paper and newspapers from plastic.There’s a reason for that. A similar approach is appropriate for many packaging challenges. You need to think about what you need and then find a suitable solution.”
Tom Hopman - Vetipak
Paper on paper
There are already various examples of products that are packaged only in paper. Nestlé’s Smarties are a good example. Tom explains: “After a long search we found a paper that’s strong enough for the carton boxes. We then created a paper pouch to wrap these boxes. So, it’s paper on paper.”
Keeping up the search
However, not all products are suitable for such a packaging solution. Take KitKat, another Nestlé product: the chocolate bars are currently wrapped in monoplastic film. Ideally, we’d like to change that to a paper pouch. “We’re currently developing a paper pouch that can withstand the chocolate’s fall impact. The fall impact is currently too high and can tear the pouch. We’re also looking beyond just the packaging material. Reducing the fall impact may offer a solution: slower, less high, or with a soft surface beneath the pouch.”
Making the difference together
Rob is delighted with Vetipak’s proactive market approach. “We’ve been working together on this for years. And we’re gradually getting our clients engaged in this story. In fact, we’re aiming to be a pioneer. However, that’s only possible if you act together in an open-minded and transparent way, without restrictive hierarchies. And that’s exactly what Vetipak offers us. Then you can make the difference together.”
Evidence, not assertions: this is how you prevent a greenwashing effect.
Whether intended or unintended, the emotions surrounding the “paper versus monoplastics” topic encourage greenwashing. Rob: “Manufacturers can simply state that they’re sustainable because they use paper. The requirement to conduct a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a good thing as this eliminates the emotion: you can no longer just say that your products are sustainable, you need to demonstrate it. If you ask me, that’s how it should be.”
Green Claims Directive: some facts about regulations for environmental and sustainability claims.
The European Green Claims Directive is being introduced. A proposal has been produced for substantiating and communicating explicit environmental claims (green claims). The proposal is part of the European Green Deal, which aims to counter incorrect environmental and sustainability claims, including greenwashing. This basically means that regulations relating to environmental claims and sustainability claims are becoming stricter.
PPWR: this is how monoplastics align with the PPWR goals.
The European Union is aiming to use the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to increase plastic recycling and reuse, as well as reduce production. The use of monoplastics is very much in line with the PPWR goals.
