Packaging firm Sonoco has committed to increasing the use of post-consumer recycled resins in its plastic packaging from 19% to 255.
Image: Sonoco has extended support to food industry to reduce global food waste. Photo: courtesy of Peter Wendt / Unsplash.
The company unveiled new commitments to achieve packaging sustainability and recycling, in support of the food industry’s efforts to reduce global food waste
Sonoco has announced new time-based commitments and ongoing efforts to improve environmental, governance and social measure in its 2017-18 corporate responsibility report.
Sonoco has determined commitments for more sustainable use and increased recyclability of packaging by 2025.
The company is planning to increase the equivalent by weight and recycling amount from 75% to 85% relative to the volume of packaging it places into to the global market place.
Sonoco is also planning to ensure that around 75% of its rigid plastic packaging can carry the relevant on-package recyclable claim
The firm also intends to avoid the use of resin additives, which will degrade in landfills or waterways by simply breaking up into smaller pieces.
In addition, the firm will install systems in all of its production facilities using plastic pellets to prevent discharges into the environment.
Sonoco president and CEO Rob Tiede said: “Sonoco believes packaging plays an important role in protecting food from damage and spoilage, while extending shelf life at retail and home.
“In fact, greater adoption of food packaging technologies to prolong the shelf life of produce and proteins has the potential to divert 72,000 tons of food waste from landfills in the United States, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 329,000 tons per year.”
Tiede also noted that the wastage of food can be reduced through collective intellectual capital and collaboration of industry experts and leaders in food science, agriculture, horticulture, packaging, transportation and material science.
Sonoco has committed $2.7m to Clemson University to create a joint initiative known as SonocoFRESH, as part of its efforts to support the initiative.
The firm is also a joint development partner in the robotics company Harvest CROO Robotics, which will focus to improve supply chain for fresh produce by connecting harvesting technology with new packaging technology.
Sonoco offers various consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services.