Packaging Alternatives to Plastic

Plastic taxes are being introduced across Europe from February 2022 and are designed to tax behaviour which is harmful to the planet’s health. In essence, this “green tax” is based on a simple principle – those who pollute will be required to pay. The aim of the tax is to provide a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of plastic packaging, which will create greater demand for this material. In turn this will stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste, diverting it away from landfill or incineration.

Why is seeking packaging alternatives to plastic important?

By 2022 all plastic must have 30% recycled content, this figure will increase to 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030 therefore sourcing alternative packaging with less plastic is a crucial factor for a host of businesses. Furthermore, critical behavioural adjustments are required by consumers to reduce the number of product purchases they make which contain plastic packaging whilst manufacturers must rethink their suppliers, materials and manufacturing processes to reduce plastic in packaging.

What are we doing to support reducing plastic in packaging?

We have been working behind the scenes in our lab and running numerous trials in a bid to develop new innovative products which supports the green tax initiative. Our core objective is to take avoidable plastic out of packaging and replace this with paper-based packaging to maximise recyclability and reduce landfill. 

EcoPack is the solution

Our new EcoPack product is a revolutionary one side coated heatseal and moisture barrier paper which provides a sustainable, translucent alternative packaging alternative to plastic. This product can be used for a wide variety of applications, including sealed bags, sandwich skillets, labels, flexible packaging solutions and more. 

Ever-evolving innovative product range

Our AdaptEco product range offers customers an extensive range of FSC® mix materials, which are available on an almost cost-neutral basis. This range also includes a variety of label materials from renewable and replenishable sources, including a choice of PLA films, non-cellulose papers and papers with varying amounts of recycled post-consumer waste. If you are looking for sustainable papers, recycled papers or compostable films for your pressure sensitive label, ticket or tag materials then please keep up-to-date with our innovations, announcements and AdaptEco product range.

Contact our team today on 01505 707700 or email info@smcl.co.uk to speak to a member of our team.