In the realm of food and drink sustainable packaging, a unique opportunity arises when two challenges combine to create a distinct advantage. Recycling agricultural plastic film waste and metalized laminate waste from BIB processes offers a solution that reduces landfilling and supports a circular economy. This innovative approach leverages the difficulties in recycling these materials to create high-quality raw materials with improved properties.
Challenges in PCR of plastic films for agriculture waste
Roded, a company specializing in recycling agricultural plastic waste, faces significant hurdles due to the nature of post-consumer agricultural waste. The exposure to various elements such as dirt, sand, and pesticides, along with temperature fluctuations, leads to polymer degradation and loss of elasticity. Despite efforts to improve the recycling process, the material’s melt flow remains problematic, limiting its applications in manufacturing.
Challenges in recycling laminate waste that contains various polymers as well as metallization
Laminate waste poses its own set of challenges, especially when it contains incompatible polymers and metalization. The addition of an aluminum layer complicates the recycling process, often resulting in landfilling or energy recovery. Aran Group is dedicated to finding sustainable end-of-life solutions for these complex materials, emphasizing their commitment to recycling and the circular economy.
Combining agricultural plastic film waste with metalized laminate waste
The collaboration between Aran and Roded led to a breakthrough in recycling by combining different types of waste to create an improved raw material. The fusion of agricultural plastic film waste with metalized laminate waste resulted in a material with enhanced properties, paving the way for sustainable solutions in industrial applications. The innovative process is patent-pending and demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in creating positive environmental impact.
From agricultural waste and laminates to industrial pallets
The recycled materials from this collaboration find a new life in the production of reusable plastic pallets. These pallets offer numerous advantages over traditional wood pallets, including lighter weight, increased durability, and a negative carbon footprint. The use of recycled raw materials enables cost-effectiveness while maintaining high-quality standards. Thousands of pallets have already been produced, meeting safety requirements for secondary packaging of food products.
The future of sustainable BIB packaging
The next phase of the project involves establishing a reverse logistics system to collect post-consumer BIB waste, focusing on the outer packaging layer. Aran Group is leading the charge in creating a sustainable solution for BIB packaging, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of food and drink packaging. By engaging in initiatives like the Horizon program, the company seeks to drive positive change in the field of sustainable packaging, setting a new standard for the industry.
