The packaging problem and the search for an ecological solution

When it comes to packaging, the conventional food industry and the organic sector are not very far away from each other. Some companies have recognized the problem and are eagerly looking for replacement material.

Even if fruit puree is organic – when it comes out of an aluminium-coated packaging, the ecological idea is lost. What's more, people take up aluminium via food when it comes into contact with the metal. Even in packagings based on mineral oil, residues can enter the product as well as the human body. Many people do not want to have any micro- and nanoparticles in their bodies. At the same time, however, they set minimum requirements for the products. For example, that aromas do not evaporate within a short time.

In fact, some packagings on retail shelves can be replaced by more environmentally friendly counterparts. However, this does not work for every product. At least not without further ado. For manufacturers, for example, it is also important to consider if alternative materials run on existing packaging machines.

Customers perceive the film differently depending on the product

To protect the aroma, Gepa wraps its tea bags and chocolates in plastic film. "Paper does not protect the aroma appropriately and does not form a barrier against foreign substances", explains Managing Director Peter Schaumberger. Although more than 90 percent of the film used consists of plastics based on FSC-certified wood pulps, the remaining 10% are mineral oil-based. As yet. "In the medium term, we are aiming for a 100 percent share, of course", says Schaumberger. At the moment, this is not yet possible, as otherwise there would not be a sufficient barrier against foreign substances.

And how do customers react? There are protests concerning tea bags, but no protests in the case of chocolate. Probably because customers are used to chocolate being wrapped in aluminium foil, which they classify as more damaging to the environment, assumes Schaumberger. In general, however, customers are very sensitive to the packaging topic. "That's why we're still working on it", says Schaumberger. The coffee is also to be given a new packaging. At the moment, Gepa still protects it with a composite material made of conventional polypropylene and polyethylene. The more environmentally friendly film used for tea is unsuitable for heavy coffee packs, because it's tearing.

Eco-plastics are controversial in the organic sector

Companies such as Futamura from Japan and BASF from Ludwigshafen are also looking for suitable materials. BASF points out that its compostable plastics Ecovio and Ecoflex can be processed by common machines. The Swiss Coffee Company, for example, has decided to use Ecovio as a material for coffee capsules.

While Ecovio is partly based on renewable raw materials, Ecoflex is entirely based on mineral oil. "The biodegradability or compostability of plastic material does not depend on the raw material, but on the structure of the polymers", explains Jens Hamprecht, Global Market Development Biopolymers at BASF. According to the company, it takes two to four weeks for the material to be composted, depending on the composting plant. This means that they easily meet the requirements of EU standard 13432, which still permits 10 percent residues after twelve weeks.

"’Renewable raw materials’ and ‘biodegradable’
sounds wonderfully ecological at first,
but this type of film is partly produced from genetically modified plants,"
- Organic producer Rapunzel

Plastics made from renewable raw materials are controversial in the organic sector. "’Renewable raw materials’ and ‘biodegradable’ sounds wonderfully ecological at first, but this type of film is partly produced from genetically modified plants", criticises Rapunzel, for example. And even if no genetic engineering is involved, artificial fertilizers and pesticides are used. Overfertilization, competition to food from the field – for the food company, too many points contradict the company's mission statement for food quality and the company philosophy. But even if plastic can be replaced by paper, this is far from being the eco-solution. Because as a rule, recycled paper is not allowed. "Because of the high proportion of magazines and newspapers, applications in the food sector are problematic because of the printing inks"” says Alice Fridum, Head of Marketing and Sales at Morgenland.

Dealing with the packaging problem in the organic grocery store

Customers in organic food stores are on average more sensitive to the subject of packaging than in conventional standard discounters, for example. Knowing about environmentally friendly packaging, preferably reflected in the product range, can help to avoid time-consuming discussions about packaging.

In order to close their own cartons in an environmentally friendly way, owners of organic shops can use paper glue rolls: The material is paper, the adhesive is based on potato starch. A little water is enough to seal cartons and packages with it.