HOW STEEL PACKAGING CONTRIBUTES TO SAVING FOOD
HOW STEEL PACKAGING CONTRIBUTES TO SAVING FOOD
88 million tonnes of food are wasted each year in Europe (EU Fusions 2016 report). Making the right packaging choices is fundamental if the EU is to reach its commitment to halve per capita food waste at retail and consumer level by 2030.
“No other packaging material equals steel’s strength, total barrier properties or shelf life. As a result, food packed in steel retains nutrients, appearance and flavour, and is less likely to be damaged, spoiled, or unnecessarily wasted,” added Van Maercke.
The latest recycling figures from APEAL confirmed that with 77.5% recycled in 2015 1, steel is the most recycled packaging material in Europe reinforcing its continued contribution to wider environmental and resource efficiency objectives.
Steel for Packaging – fact file
Preventing food waste throughout the supply chain:
Canned fruit and vegetables are most often harvested at their peak of ripeness and canned in as little as 4 hours, minimising product loss at processing
Misshapen or “ugly” food can be canned and processed as normal, minimising product loss at processing and retail
Steel’s strength and 100% barrier against light, water and air protects food, minimising product loss during transport, retail and storage
Portion sized packaging allows consumers to buy the precise quantity needed, minimising product loss at consumption.