The packaging company Parkside has developed a new, fully recyclable paper packaging for fresh root vegetables together with the organic food mail order company Riverford. The solution is designed to combine efficiency, shelf life and recyclability in one product.
Riverford and Parkside are taking a further step towards sustainable supply chains with a new paper-based packaging solution. Designed for the vertical form-fill-seal process, the bags are made from notch-side recyclable paper and contain a water-based coating that protects the vegetables from moisture and grease during transport and storage.
The new packaging replaces previously used 100g/m² paper sacks with a lighter 90g/m² version that can be processed by machine. According to Riverford, this is part of the long-term strategy to continuously reduce resource consumption and material usage. The changeover has also significantly increased the packaging speed - from 25 to around 35 packs per minute. This not only improves efficiency, but also reduces energy consumption during packaging, according to the company.
A key feature of the solution is the high-quality flexographic printing design, which imitates the look of kraft paper. The coated surface enables clean, full-surface printing, which Parkside says gives the brand a rustic but high-quality look.
Staci Bye, Sales Account Manager at Parkside, says: „Our technology enables a fully circular packaging solution - with the look that Riverford customers appreciate and the performance that modern supply chains require.“ The collaboration with Riverford is „a real example of how sustainability and efficiency can be combined“.
Riverford is also satisfied: Matt Mountfield, Head of Procurement, emphasised the „seamless collaboration“ and praised Parkside's technical expertise: „The new packaging meets our sustainability goals exactly and improves our processes at the same time.“
Focus on material savings and the circular economy
According to both companies, the development is an example of how targeted innovation can save material and optimise the packaging process at the same time. The new solution replaces costly pre-assembled bags with a more efficient, machine-compatible paper solution that is fully recyclable - without compromising on durability and brand appearance.
Source: Parkside
