TIPA's compostable solutions for flexible packaging promote, support and inspire top-down solutions for consumers.
"TIPA sees this as a critical solution to solving the waste crisis and we want it to be available to absolutely everybody, so we focus on making the switch to using compostable packaging simple. We have expertise and support we can offer to help make that transition possible," Michael Waas, vice president of North America TIPA told The Produce News. "Our goal is to make the transition to compostables easy for companies and for growers."
TIPA's solutions are designed to work well on existing equipment. “So that means a packer running a form fill seal operation doesn't have to invest in getting new equipment just to be able to run a sustainable packaging solution," said Waas.
Fresh produce compostable solutions are an excellent alternative to conventional plastic because "getting food waste out of landfill is a critical component to reducing global warming. The more organic waste we can get into compost, the better," said Waas.
"When we're looking at sustainable alternatives for the produce industry, recyclable packaging is challenging because it's the economics of recycling that are particularly hard for flexibles. Most flexible films don't end up getting recycled, and if there's any food content left in it, it actually contaminates the recycling stream," he said.
"That's where compostable packaging is a perfect fit for produce. Anything that might be left over in the bag is value added to the compost process, and all that organic content going back into the soil, helps enrich the soil," Waas told The Produce News.
TIPA’s compostable films are certified and abide by International standards, which include eco-toxicity and heavy metals tests to ensure all certified compostable materials are nourishing and perfectly safe to cultivate the soil.