Sustainable packaging

There are many food companies in and around Hoogeveen, by whom more and more packaging material is used. In most cases, this material ends up being incinerated after single use. There is increased demand for more sustainable materials from industry. Within the industry, plastics are widely used because of the advantageous properties plastic has. Plastic is relatively cheap and lightweight material with good barrier properties. However, this packaging has quite an impact on the environment. 

Reason 

Much packaging is not recyclable for the same application, as materials for food packaging must meet strict requirements and food safety is the top priority.  

Distrivers handles the entire process of production, purchasing, distribution, preparation and supervision of meals at various locations. From a project by the Entrepreneurs Association Hoogeveen on Sustainable Packaging for food companies in the region, Distrivers was driven to delve further into this subject specifically for meal service. 

What problem does the project solve?  

The aim of this project is to review meal packaging and arrive at a reasoned choice for packaging that is future-proof. Sustainability is an important criterion, with economic aspects such as cost and investment also taken into account. 

Who is the project team 

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences 

• Distrivers 

• Ecoras 

How is the project team tackling this?  

The team is tackling this step by step, namely - researching:  

1. Which packaging concepts are suitable for Distrivers' meals?  

2. An overview of packaging concepts with a value judgment on the various selection criteria, through LCAs (Life Cycle Analyses), of most promising concepts.