With the increasing awareness of the environmental issues in regards to plastic waste, Walki's aims to reduce its ecological and environmental footprint with new sustainable solution.
Replacing traditional packaging with paper-based alternatives such as biodegradable and plant-based, renewable polymers, these eco-friendly solutions will reduce the harmful impact of plastic packaging.
Technical Sales and Research and Development Manager at Walki, says that the tests have proven promising, as virtually any product can be packed in a sustainable way without excessive use of plastic. Products such as stand-up pouches, pillow bags and four-corner bags can all be made from paper-based materials.
“Paper is, by default, renewable and recyclable,” he explains. “The coating can be customized to meet the product’s needs as, for example, coffee and baked goods require different kinds of properties from their packaging.”
The most common features food packaging have to address when using sustainable packaging are: moisture, grease and oxygen protection. However, as not all items need the same level of protection, using just the right amount of barrier helps ensure the packaging is as sustainable as possible. For example, because paper is stiffer than plastic, paper-based materials facilitate a firm structure without over-packaging.
The solutions suit even the most demanding products, such as four-corner bags. The most common packages, pillow bags and stand-up pouches, could effortlessly be manufactured with a huge reduction of plastic. According to Torkkola, the cost isn’t necessarily any higher, either, with the optimization of materials and producer responsibility fees favoring sustainability and recyclability.
Now, consumers have the opportunity to seize the moment and demand sustainable packaging from food manufacturers.“Many companies already have set dates for when they aim to have all of their packaging made of sustainable solutions, such as fiber-based materials,” Torkkola says. “Walki wants to be at the forefront of this change, helping clients find the right solutions for their specific needs.”