Besides packaging vegetables, how else can food packaging reduce plastic? In 2017, organic distributor Liren developed compostable bio-based packaging for fruits and vegetables. They now operate their own recycling and composting practices. Currently on their third generation of bio-based bags, they have eliminated 3.5 million packages, yet recycling rates remain suboptimal.
In addition to developing diverse applications, such as the "compostable bio-based plant pots" now available at Li Ren stores, Li Ren also expressed hope that regulations would be relaxed, following international precedents, to allow the use of recycled plastic in food packaging. "If it can truly be recycled, we can't say plastic is sinful, but at least it can be used effectively."
Liren launches plastic packaging reduction program, reducing nearly 40 million plastic packaging materials in 6 years
Li Ren Co., Ltd. announced yesterday (14th) that it has been gradually reducing the use of plastic packaging materials in its products since 2016, and has now reduced the use of more than 38 million plastic packaging materials. Li Ren Co., Ltd. Product Development Manager Zhou Yuying pointed out that Li Ren has been collaborating with manufacturers to improve the use of plastic packaging materials from the source since 2016. It has currently cooperated with 40 manufacturers to "reduce plastic" for 186 of its products.
Because food packaging raises food safety concerns, Liren Company is prioritizing plastic reduction in textiles and household items. For example, in outer packaging, they prioritize replacing plastic with paper or glass bottles. They also remove plastic coatings from cartons and shrink wrap from packaging materials. For product accessories, they replace plastic hooks with paper rings, remove plastic lids from cans, and eliminate plastic spoons and straws.
However, food packaging materials require more considerations. Zhou Yuying points out that if airtight packaging isn't achieved, the chances of product spoilage increase. Plastic bags not only reduce the risk of contamination during store sales but also facilitate inventory management and shipping at the manufacturing end. "Using non-plastic materials for food is not an easy task."
Taking the plastic lid and spoon that often come with eight-treasure porridge as an example, Zhou Yuying said that after removing the plastic lid, the iron can is extremely easy to wear and tear on the packaging line, or become dented due to impact. Continuous communication with manufacturers and logistics providers is necessary to overcome the problem of product damage after simplifying packaging materials.
Li Ren hopes for loosened regulations: Plastics cannot be said to be sinful, but at least they can be used wisely.
In terms of reducing plastic consumption in fruits and vegetables, in addition to providing unpackaged vegetables as much as possible, in order to meet the needs of freshness preservation, Li Ren has been collaborating with fruit and vegetable supplier Fuye Company since 2017 to develop "compostable biomass packaging materials", which can reduce approximately 3.5 million plastic packaging bags each year.
Li Ren pointed out that biobags are made from agricultural and forestry waste such as corn, cassava or straw, bagasse, sawdust, etc. After recycling, they can be mixed with decomposed raw materials such as leafy vegetable stems and weeds for composting. After 3 months, they can be completely decomposed into organic matter, carbon dioxide and water. The organic matter will also become nutritious culture soil. In addition to being used for composting, biomass scraps can also be made into "compostable biomass flower pots", developing diversified applications of biomass materials.
However, consumers must personally bring used fruit and vegetable bags to the store for recycling, making recycling rates a pressing challenge. Zhou Yuying explained that when the store's self-recycling system was first introduced, the recycling rate reached as high as 10%, but has since fallen to approximately 2-3% over the past two years due to the pandemic.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/233857)
