BPF: Food waste report highlights important role of plastic packaging
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ report on food waste has highlighted the important role plastics packaging plays in preventing food waste, according to the British Plastics Federation
Last week, the IMechE report entitled ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ suggested that half of all the food produced in the world is being thrown away every year.
According to the BPF, this report points out the significant overseas business opportunities for UK plastics packaging manufacturers.
The report emphasizes the fundamental need for innovative new technology in developing countries to help decrease food wastage. The BPF stated that it was “clear that current packaging and storage solutions in developing nations leave much to be desired”.
The IMechE report stated that in “India, for example, 21 million tonnes of wheat annually perishes due to inadequate storage and distribution, equivalent to the entire production of Australia. In neighbouring Pakistan, losses amount to about 16% of production”.
Packaging currently accounts for the largest consumption of plastics in India, at 24% of overall consumption, according to the BPF.
Packaging technology
The Indian government has signalled a willingness to open up its market to major foreign retailer investment highlighting the need for external parties to bring in new technology such as cold chain logistics systems, warehousing facilities and packaging technology.
According to the trade body, this will assist in reducing the rate at which food perishes before it reaches the market – currently at around 40% per annum. This could lead to huge opportunities for UK plastics packaging manufacturers wishing to enter the market, the BPF said.
BPF senior executive industrial issues Jonathan Bloom said: “UK plastics packaging manufacturers are well placed to export ideas, technology and products to the global market. At the same time they are well positioned to help resolve a global crisis. The BPF continues to showcase the UK’s plastics industry overseas and exhibited, most recently at Arabplast in Dubai.”
