Morrisons has announced it will replace the plastic packaging from its bananas with paper bands, in a move that makes it the first supermarket to remove plastic banana packaging from all its stores.

The announcement follows a successful 12-week trial that saw two million plastic bags removed from bananas. Morrisons said it will now complete the switch to paper bands at all its stores over the next six months and as a result it expects to eliminate 45 million single-use plastic bags each year, the equivalent of removing 180 tonnes of plastic from stores annually.

The paper band will be made from FSC certified paper and will list the product's country of origin, barcode, and certification such as Fairtrade, Soil Association Certification, or Rainforest Alliance.

Morrisons's Banana Buyer, Elio Biondo, said: "Bananas have their own packaging - their skins. They also grow in bunches which generally means they don't need bagging together. So a simple sturdy paper band is the ideal alternative. In trials the quality of the bananas has remained the same, so this switch out of plastic is a no-brainer."

The switch to paper bands is part of Morrisons's wider plans to reduce plastic packaging and waste from its stores. Just last week it announced plans to trial six 'zero waste' stores in Edinburgh that will introduce facilities to help customers recycle all waste, from hard to recycle plastics to foil and plant pots, as well as reducing waste in store.

Earlier in the year, Morrisons launched a glass milk bottle trial that saw glass milk bottles directly delivered to store and returned by customers for collection and reuse, while the store has also introduced paper bags at checkout and paper or string bags for fruit and vegetables to reduce the amount of plastic available in store.

The news comes ahead of an anticipated announcement from the government regarding plans to extend a ban on single use plastics to include items such as single use plastic cutlery, plates and cups. The government has pledged to prevent avoidable plastic waste by 2042, by banning single use plastic items, such as straws, stirrers, and cotton buds, and in August, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced it was looking to extend the ban with further details set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Graphic Packaging International’s ProducePack, a sustainable paperboard range of packaging designed for fresh produce applications, is proving to be an effective and user-friendly solution to preserving fruit for Michigan apple distributor BelleHarvest.

Following its successful launch earlier this year, ProducePack was introduced for BelleHarvest’s three most popular apple varieties, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Gala. Featuring an upright structure to protect the delicate apples while enhancing branding opportunities by increasing billboarding space, ProducePack is a 100 percent recyclable packaging solution. In addition, the carton’s striking design, with its convenient quick ‘grab & go’ carry handle, has been attracting attention in the produce aisle.

“We care greatly about our effect on the environment, so we are excited to lead the way in evolving our packaging in the apple category and respond to consumer demands for a paper-based alternative to plastic,” Angela Sommers, marketing director at BelleHarvest, said.

“We are therefore delighted to report that ProducePack has led to a greater than 15% reduction in apple defects while stored in refrigeration, keeping our fruit in the best condition for longer,” continued Sommers.  “The packaging material and fruit held up exceptionally well in transit and refrigeration, reducing the possibility of shrinkage and packaging waste. This is an excellent achievement in such a short space of time.”

BelleHarvest’s sustainable apple packaging recently scooped one of four wins for Graphic Packaging in the Institute of Packaging Professionals' AmeriStar Awards 2021. Awarded under Saves Food–Agriculture, the winning BelleHarvest pack was a first for the fresh produce category.

“We are extremely pleased that our innovative range is producing such impressive results for BelleHarvest,” Jackie D’Ambrosio, senior manager, new product development – omnichannel at Graphic Packaging, said. “This underscores ProducePack’s viability as a commercial solution for customers who want to make a positive contribution to the environment while meeting growing demand from consumers for a sustainable, fiber-based alternative to plastic.”

Chobani will donate 100% of profits from its peanut spreads to Edesia for production of Plumpy'Nut®, its fortified peanut butter that is shipped around the world across 60 countries to nourish children with acute malnutrition.

"We believe that children, no matter where they live, deserve the basic human right of food and nutrition. From Afghanistan to Haiti, hunger and malnutrition is completely preventable," said Edesia Founder and CEO Navyn Salem. "Chobani's commitment to donate 100% of profits from the sales of its peanut butter flavored spreads will help make this vision possible."

The Chobani Ends Child Hunger Peanut Butter Flavored Nutrient Spreads offer a special line for infants. It's formulated to reduce the choking hazard associated with the early introduction of peanuts recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Introducing peanuts as early as 4 to 6 months may help reduce peanut allergies by 80% among at-risk children, such as those with mild, moderate to severe eczema and/or egg allergy, who should consume peanut-containing foods under medical supervision. [1]

"Edesia was the first non-profit participant in our Incubator program in 2019, and we knew we had to work together because our missions are very aligned," said Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. "Childhood hunger in the U.S. and malnutrition globally are dual crises, and we have the opportunity and the responsibility to take additional action through this beautiful partnership."  

The devastating August earthquake in Haiti has urgently increased the need to help provide nutrition to Haiti's children, many of whom suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Chobani responded immediately to the disaster with financial assistance to rescue and relief partners, but we wanted to do more to offer support on the ground. Through the proceeds from the roll out of the peanut butter flavored spreads, Chobani, in partnership with Edesia, will be able to provide a full 7-week treatment of Plumpy'Nut to over 2,000 children in Haiti. As an added benefit to the Haitian economy, this product is being made at a facility in Haiti.

Consumers can find our peanut butter flavored spreads at major supermarkets nationwide and online.

Key Facts on Chobani Ends Child Hunger Peanut Butter Flavored Spreads:

For the Family:
Plain peanut butter flavored nutrient spread available in multi-packs of 6-1.12oz squeeze packs, 10oz multi-serve jar
Chocolate and peanut butter flavored nutrient spread available in 6-1.12oz squeeze packs, 10oz multi-serve jar
Cookie dough and peanut butter flavored nutrient spread available in 6-1.12oz squeeze packs
For Babies:
Apple and peanut butter flavored nut & fruit blend available in a 6-count multi-pack of 0.7oz squeeze packs
Banana and peanut butter flavored nut & fruit blend available in a 6-count multi-pack of 0.7oz squeeze packs
All Chobani Ends Child Hunger products are made with non-GMO ingredients, and are certified kosher and gluten free.
About Chobani
Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all.  In support of this mission, we are a values-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and have been since Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S., founded the company in 2005.  We produce yogurt, non-dairy oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based creamers, ready-to-drink coffee and plant-based probiotic drinks. Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, and it's made with only natural ingredients without artificial preservatives.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything we do. Our philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to our communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. We manufacture our products in New York, Idaho, and Australia. Chobani products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Edesia
Edesia is a non-profit social enterprise on a mission to end hunger and malnutrition worldwide. From its Rhode Island factory, a diverse team of 100 humanitarians make over 1.5 million packets of lifesaving foods 24 hours a day for UNICEF, the World Food Programme, USAID, USDA, and other NGOs working in emergency and conflict zones. Edesia has shipped its ready-to-eat foods to over 60 countries worldwide, reaching over 14.5 million children. Navyn Salem founded Edesia in 2009 and was inspired to end childhood malnutrition by her father who is from Tanzania and her four daughters. To learn more, please visit: www.edesianutrition.org.  

[1] For most infants with severe eczema and/or an egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. The FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study. If your infant has severe eczema and/or an egg allergy, check with your infant's healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.

Swiss packaging expert SIG head of sustainability and digital marketing Bojan Buric Heler tells Packaging Gateway about the value behind connected packaging and how SIG is contributing to the market with its new digital closure product, 'One Cap, One Code'.

In today’s on-demand and digitalised world, consumers are more connected and informed than ever. They know what they want, how they want it, and who they want it from.

As digital consumers and connected spenders adopt new behaviours and communication channels, brands are having to work even harder to reach, understand and engage them.

Businesses need packaging solutions that can easily provide valuable product data in real time to assist in supply chain quality and control.

Swiss packaging expert SIG head of sustainability and digital marketing Bojan Buric Heler tells Packaging Gateway about the value behind connected packaging and how SIG is contributing to the market with its new digital closure product, ‘One Cap, One Code’.

Connected packaging
In this highly competitive market, connected packaging has emerged as an effective way for food and beverage producers to connect with consumers. Solutions like scannable QR codes are being utilised more and more on consumer products – turning physical packs into interactive tools.

All of this is so consumers can access the information they want, while brands can build trust and recognition.

Connected packaging is an incredible opportunity for companies to play a bigger role in consumers’ lives. Through interactive functionalities and enhanced user experiences, brands can offer real value to consumers.

Tracking and interacting
With higher competitive pressure and consumer demands, businesses need to find new ways to reliably manage their entire supply chain, from source to shelf.

HKScan, which sells over eight million Scan Falukorv sausages every year in Sweden alone. has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions target by 2025 – and aims to achieve a carbon neutral food chain by the end of 2040.

Mondi used its EcoSolutions approach to collaborate with HKScan’s R&D team to provide the right barrier paper without requiring any changes to its existing production lines. The new packaging now comprises of renewable materials and is made with responsibly sourced paper and bio-based plastic.

The paper is sourced, coated and printed in Sweden, so transportation is kept to a minimum. Thanks to its majority paper content, the new packaging can be disposed of in Swedish paper recycling streams. Mondi’s solution ensures the Scan Falukorv sausage remains fresh and intact in transportation, and the packaging provides excellent print quality for attractive presentation on the shelves.

Maria Häger, director quality & environment HKScan Sweden, said: “Reducing our environmental footprint is one of our most important priorities at HKScan. The barrier paper from Mondi is a valuable piece of the jigsaw puzzle, enabling us to proudly announce this new, recyclable packaging for our Falukorv sausage, reducing its CO₂ impact from the previous solution by 70%[1]. This represents a vital step in our sustainability journey and is helping us get closer to achieving our climate targets of achieving a carbon neutral food chain by the end of 2040.”

Jonas Fridberg, business solutions manager, functional paper and films, Mondi added: “Our aim is always to develop fit-for-purpose packaging that is sustainable by design. Our work with HKScan to facilitate their switch to recyclable and renewable paper packaging for Scan Falukorv 800 g is a great example of that. It has led to a significant reduction in carbon impact, with no change in the consumer experience, and that is truly something to be celebrated.”

The company is launching a range of in-house designed capping machinery, alongside bottle unscramblers and pump and trigger feeding systems as part of its complete system offering for the design and installation of bespoke filling lines and automated packing line solutions.

It is looking to cater for a variety of end markets including FMCG, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, chemical and automotive.

ATS Packaging Machinery is being headed by technical sales and product manager Richard Aitchison, who has over 25 years’ experience in capital equipment sales, with the past decade working on sales of a variety of packaging machinery throughout the world including Europe, India, China and North America.

Adrian Gander, ATS managing director, said: “We are very excited to be further expanding our operations with the opening of the packaging machinery division. In particular, Richard’s wide-ranging experience will be invaluable in helping customers meet their specific packing requirements with efficient, value-adding solutions.”

Every year, more than 1 billion tons of waste fill up the environment.  It means that humans are producing a lot of waste and most of it is due to non-recyclable packaging solutions. The sheer contribution of the waste has made the brand switch to a sustainable solution. Nowadays, you can see several eco-friendly solutions in the stores. No matter how big or small you are, there is no other way to follow other than recyclability. It not only strengthen your brand image in the market but influence customers to choose you only because you are green. Isn't it great that you can achieve so much only by changing your packaging choices?

Ideas to design Eco Friendly Soap Packaging

There is no debate on using an eco-friendly solution. The only reason enough is that it is good for the environment and your business. The production process of Eco Friendly Soap Packaging involves the use of sustainable material as it is a more natural option and decomposes quicker. The main aim is to create less pollution. Using an eco-friendly solution will help to lower the carbon footprints, and there are several ways to do it. Sustainability is becoming the top choice of brands and customers. It is a way to sin customer's hearts with a little effort. Here are some ideas to introduce a recyclable packaging solution to the customers.

Try to reuse the soap boxes

One of the best ways to ensure sustainability is to recycle and reuse the already used product boxes. You can ask your customers to instead of dumping the box into the bin, send it back to you. It can work excellent for your brand. Reusable packaging not only reduces waste but is highly cost-effective. It has only one limitation that most of the consumers don't corporate. But your loyal customers will the guideline. It only takes few minutes to fold the box and sent it in the mail. Reusability is an innovative idea that is a perfect example of a multi-use and eco-friendly option.

Create a memorable minimalist packaging

When it comes to custom packaging, every brand looks for cost-effective ways to save the maximum. You can give your customers a memorable experience by using a minimal solution. Less is more; it is a perfect example of an option that is not eco-friendly but also affordable at the same time. Using simple Kraft soap boxes with a detailed design can make a significant impact on customers. When it comes to minimal design, it doesn't mean to cut the essential element. Try to go for one-color print and sustainable ink choices for printing. In return, you will only get a large customer base and boosted sales.

An alternative material for display boxes for sale

When it comes to designing a sustainable solution, there are several choices for materials.  From the edible material to the plant-based solution, sustainability offers you many options. Firstly, try to go for the mono-material Display Boxes for Sale. Mono-material packaging means that a single material is used in the production process. It makes the recycling process easier and less complex. Edible material is also gaining popularity in the market, but the one which outclasses every other option is plantable material. When you try to give your customers an exceptional experience, everything becomes possible.

Useless material for the boxes

One of the crucial steps toward a sustainable solution is the use of fewer packaging materials. No customers want to buy the product packed in layers of waste. So, try to use the smaller boxes for soap packaging. Measure the product's dimension accurately so you won't have to pay for a container bigger than your need. Leave a one-inch gap between the product and box walls. Try to use durable and sturdy material, so you don't have to invest in extra material to ensure product protection. A single layer of packaging under the container should be enough.

Implement the sustainable practices

If you want to make your soap container more environmental-friendly, it is time to implement sustainable practices at every step of the production process. From the choice of material to the design implementation, every practice should be in the favour of Mother Nature.

Here are some steps to follow for soap packaging:

• Useless material and avoid mixing it
• Always pack in smaller size boxes
• Encourage your customers to recycle
• Consider using innovative and recyclable material
• Use cardboard, corrugate, or Kraft to ensure recyclability

These are only some practices, but there are a lot more options to consider.

Consider using recyclable air pillows

The best alternative to packing peanuts and bubble wraps is the recyclable air pillows. It is not only an eco-friendly choice but also keeps your product safe as compared to other options. You can say it is a game-changer. Each pillow box is made of recyclable and reusable polythene. Most of the pillows come with printed instructions on how to recycle the product. So next time you get an air pillow inside the box, don't throw it away. It does require some special steps, but it is worth the effort.

Sustainable ink for bath bomb boxes with log

Petroleum-based ink is a serious threat to the environment. Soy-based inks are making their mark in the industry as it doesn't release any harmful components. Moreover, the recycling process is simple as you can easily de-ink. Sustainable ink is way more biodegradable than traditional inks. It helps you to save cost and time. So, if you are planning to design fully recyclable packaging, it is not only about the material choice. Each and everything counts when it comes to being eco-friendly with your packaging choices.

It is time to start your eco-friendly packaging journey with custom Bath Bomb Boxes with Logo. As you can see, there are many opportunities to improve the designing and production process. When you aim to save the environment, several possibilities are waiting for you.

The new design features a logo and hand drawn typeface, and a distinctive illustrated chef’s hat icon is supported by a bespoke typeface featuring soft, round letterforms.

We Launch also created a set of vibrant stickers featuring illustrations and more unique typography to further expand the ownable assets that Baked In could utilise across all its touchpoints.

Stuart Lang, founder and creative Director, We Launch, said: “We wanted to create something for Baked In that was more reflective of who the brand is and what it does. The products it sells create a sense of playfulness that really wasn’t brought through fully in the previous brand identity. By focusing on what makes home baking fun, and incorporating the handmade element into our work through illustration and a bespoke type, we sought to capture the essence of the Baked In brand experience across every channel.”

Joseph Munns, founder, Baked In, added: “We Launch have captured the spirit of what our products set out to do and our ethos of happiness being homemade. We are all about the fun, wellbeing and connection that baking brings. The new handcrafted creatives perfectly encapsulates that feeling. We’re extremely excited about sharing the new look with our customers and to hopefully get even more people involved with our kits.”