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In 30: Packaging Innovations

By Community Manager posted 10-17-2024 10:26

  

Sometimes, all it takes is 30 minutes to learn the ins and outs of new food technologies and trends that are transforming the food and beverage industry. In this series, we’ll dig into a food innovation topic and link you to content and resources so you can become a master on the topic in 30 minutes (or less!).

This week, we’re looking at packaging innovations designed to reduce plastic waste and extend shelf life. 

 

The Overview 

Innovative packaging solutions continue to be introduced as alternatives to traditional plastics, to reduce landfill waste, and to lessen the impact on the environment.  

 

The macro-environmental factors impacting the packaging industry in 2023 and beyond. 

 

Lobster shells left over from processing are being used to create a biopolymer that can be incorporated into environmentally friendly packaging with antimicrobial properties. 

 

Design interventions and innovative approaches that are more in line with circular economy principles and evolving recycling systems.  

 

The consumer conscience is shifting in favour of sustainable packaging, affecting purchase decisions.  

 

The Canadian Connection 

The Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) is an independent, not-for-profit organization working with Canadian businesses, policymakers, associations and NGOs to create a circular economy for plastic packaging by 2030.  

YODL  Copol International 

North Sydney, NS-based Copol International Ltd. manufactures cast polypropylene film for the flexible packaging industry, mostly for food packaging and often for high heat applications such as sterilizing. 

YODL  Rapid Aid Corp 

Rapid Aid's TempAid division specializes in design and manufacturing of highly engineered packaging solutions for shipping temperature-sensitive goods.  

 

Social Media 

Friendlier (Facebook)  Guelph, ON-based Friendlier offers low-cost reusable containers for foodservice in more than 200 locations across Ontario and Western Quebec.
 

MySuppli (Instagram) Toronto, ON-based Suppli makes it easy for food vendors to swap in high-quality reusable food containers for their single-use containers in a way that drives additional revenue. 

Relocalize (LinkedIn) 

Montreal, QC’s Relocalize Inc. hyper-localizes packaged food manufacturing with autonomous factories that eliminate middle mile logistics and CO2 emissions, while reducing product costs and cutting waste.  

 

Overtime 

If you’ve got more than 30 minutes, these are for you: 

CFIN’s Isabelle Marquis speaks with Isabelle Des Chênes, executive vice president of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, on the innovations being developed to make plastic packaging more efficient and eco-responsible. 

@Joe Lake, former CEO of CFIN, sat down with Paul Shorthouse, the interim managing director of the Canadian Plastics Pact, to talk about the organization and how it is helping the food industry reduce plastic waste. 

Packaging innovations offering sustainability, recyclability, and usability. 

#packaginginnovation

#plasticpackaging

#plasticalternatives

#packaging

#circulareconomy