The new sustainable packaging solution will be available in stores from next month and will help New Seasons to avoid 120,000 plastic packs entering the waste stream each year
New Seasons will now offer private label pasta items in a new, green tray. (Credit: Graphic Packaging International, LLC)
Graphic Packaging International has partnered with grocery store chain New Seasons Market to replace the latter’s plastic clamshells used in grocer’s own-brand pasta with a sustainable PaperSeal tray.
The sustainable packaging solution will be visible in stores from next month and will help New Seasons to avoid 120,000 plastic packs entering the waste stream each year.
Graphic Packaging said that the sustainable packaging solution can be used to pack fresh and processed meat, chilled and frozen ready meals, cheese, snacks, salad, fruit, and more.
The product is available in several formats, including modified atmosphere (MAP), vacuum skin (VSP), and non-MAP top-seal trays.
The paperboard tray is made from FSC-certified renewable fibre sourced from sustainably managed forests with a film that can be separated easily after use. It also extends the shelf life of the products from 12 to 20 days, said the packaging company.
Graphic Packaging global innovation and new business development senior vice president Ricardo De Genova said: “The PaperSeal tray is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic food packaging trays.
“Since its launch, it has been widely adopted across Europe, Japan and Australia, winning numerous sustainability awards, and has become a go-to choice for businesses looking to reduce plastic use in their packaging while maintaining freshness.”
The new PaperSeal trays will enable New Seasons Market to reduce plastic usage to use 91% less plastic in each pack when compared to traditional trays.
New Seasons Market senior sustainability manager Athena Petty said: “We’re constantly assessing the trade-offs between product preservation, upstream material impact, and downstream disposal opportunities in our packaging work, and our customers expect our leadership in this area.
“The decision to adopt PaperSeal packaging reflects the process we take when making decisions, and this change is a positive step to balance our impacts on people, the planet, and our business.”