The following actions, individually or collectively, will contribute to achieving the outcomes of reducing the environmental impacts of rigid PET packaging thru elimination and minimization.
Available Courses of Action
- Action 1 – Direct Elimination re Selling Product Loose (for produce packaging)
- Action 2 – Innovative Elimination
- Action 3 – Packaging Minimization
Action 1 – Direct Elimination (e.g., Selling Product Loose for produce packaging)
Offering product loose provides an important but challenging opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Balancing the reduced environmental impacts of packaging against the impacts of distribution, sale and use of product, while meeting quality expectations, remains a key challenge.
The following use case(s) provide examples of where elimination has been demonstrated.
Use Cases
Use Cases are currently being identified and reviewedAction 2 – Innovative Elimination
The innovative elimination of packaging involves displacing the current packaging with alternative technology which provides the benefits of packaging while not incurring any of the environmental impacts. Unlike substitution, which seeks to replace one form of packaging for another, innovative elimination achieves the benefits of current packaging while eliminating its environmental impacts.
The following use case(s) provide examples of where innovative elimination has been demonstrated.
Use Cases
Use Cases are currently being identified and reviewedAction 3 – Packaging Minimization
Packaging minimization involves reducing the packaging mass while maintaining the current level of packaging functionality. A common form of packaging minimization is light weighting – reducing portions and/or the entirety of the packaging mass.
The following use case(s) provide examples of where packaging minimization has been demonstrated.
Use Cases
| Use Case | Innovation | Application | Release to Market |
| Zapora | kp Zapora tray eliminates absorbent pad used for fresh cut proteins | Fresh-cut protein | 2022 |
Supporting Resources
Useful resources to consider as you explore applying one or more of the above actions to rigid PET packaging include:
General Information
- APR Design Guidance for PET packaging
American Plastics Recycling (APR)The American Plastics Recycling (APR) design guidelines for enhancing and ensuring increased recyclability of PET packaging.
- Why “Elimination” Won’t Solve the Packaging Pollution Problem 2022
Flexible Packaging Association (FPA)Highlights that while some plastic packaging can be eliminated or reduced, most packaging plays the vitally important role of protecting and preserving the efficacy of products and eliminating food waste. And that shortsighted elimination policies will not solve the problem and, in many cases, will result in more environmental harm.
Packaging Minimization
- Pathway to Selling More Uncut Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Loose? 2023
WRAP, and UK Plastic PactThis study explores opportunities to reduce household food waste and single use plastic packaging in the UK, highlighting specific targets, timelines and next steps.