Packaging solutions specialists, Parkside, has collaborated with Alara Wholefoods Ltd. to produce a natural and sustainable liner for its range of organic muesli carton boxes.
Parkside developed a clear, duplex, home compostable, high barrier paper laminate to replace Alara’s existing petrochemical based polyester/polyethylene inner liner. The cellulose film laminates are manufactured using bio-based materials that have been sustainably sourced. They are suitable for both home and industrial composting. Once the pack has been used, it can be added to an ordinary garden compost heap or included in local council food waste collections.
Alara’s Managing Director, Alex Smith, commented: “These new liners are officially certified as home compostable in line with our ethical philosophy. Our aim is to always use sustainable and recyclable packaging, so we could not turn down the opportunity to work with Parkside and incorporate their innovative compostable liners into our packs.”
Produced in the UK and sold in leading retailers, Ocado, Wholefoods Markets and Sainsbury’s, the organic muesli range from Alara uses cartonboard outer packaging manufactured from renewable raw materials and is 100% recyclable. The combination of cartonboard and Parkside’s compostable liners means that the packs are one of the most sustainable packaging solutions on the market.
Parkside’s compostable laminates are durable and impermeable just like traditional plastic packaging, making them safe to use for food packaging and come in a range of aesthetic options including white, matt, clear, metallised and kraft.
The compostable laminates took seven years of research and development and, to date, Parkside has developed 19 accredited home and industrial compostable laminate structures designed to replace traditional plastic packaging.
Head of Innovation and NPD at Parkside, Phil O’Driscoll, said: “Food manufacturers, brands and retailers are seeking packaging solutions which strengthen their green credentials. For Alara, sustainability is a core value of their business and this is reflected in the products they produce and the packaging they use. We are extremely proud to have been able to partner with them and help them to achieve a superb pack solution that is sustainable in every way.”
Parkside has been shortlisted in the ‘Resource Efficient Product of the Year’ category at this year’s UK Packaging Awards for the compostable liner development.
