Private label packaging
Private label packaging
Sobeys Inc. is making steady progress in weight reduction of packaging materials such as steel cans, coloured glass jars and bottles, PET, boxboard containers and plastic bags. However, there can be unintended consequences such as increased food wastage by reducing packaging weight. So certain packaging materials are more difficult to reduce in weight; including plastic cups and trays, LDPE/HDPE film, plastic laminate film and laminate pouches and tubs.
As we update packaging for our private label lines, we explore every opportunity to enhance sustainability. Numerous changes have been made and, as an example, weight has been reduced by up to 30% by switching to more recyclable materials.
Life Cycle View
Although packaging weight reduction is certainly an opportunity, it does need to be balanced with maintaining the key roles of packaging – food and product safety, and extending shelf life. It is common that packaging accounts for less than 10% of the environmental "footprint" of a product. We want to avoid potential unintended consequences of reducing packaging weight such as increasing food waste which could lead to a significant net increase in environmental impact. We also understand that many of the "wins" in reducing the environmental footprint of packaging itself will come from looking beyond weight reduction, to the use of alternative materials, reducing energy and water use during packaging reduction, and reducing cube sizes of packaged product to reduce transportation miles.
Global Packaging Project Pilot
Sobeys participated in a pilot test of the Global Packaging Project (http://globalpackaging.mycgforum.com). Key learning included a better understand our suppliers' awareness of packaging sustainability issues; the many challenges involved in moving toward more sustainable packaging; and the challenges of capturing more environmental impact data which evaluates its effect on ecosystems. These insights and those of the other GPP pilot participants will help shape the evolution of this important packaging initiative and the impact of its rollout.
Design for Environment
One of the many benefits of increasing awareness of sustainability in day-to-day business functions is the opportunity to "begin with the end in mind". We are evolving to including the end-of-life recycling/disposal of packages early on in the process at the design stage. With informed decision making, we can reduce environmental impacts and stewardship fees paid. This is a work in process, and we are testing some decision support tools to assist with implementation.
When it comes to packaging and the impact it can have on the environment, we know that less is more – while still allowing us to effectively package our products to maintain the utmost quality and food safety.
Over the years, we've recognized that the three key opportunities to reduce the amount and impact of packaging on Compliments private label products lie in the:
- Selection of the type of material used,
- Quantity of packaging used, and
- Reducing the size of the package.
With more than 50% of products using boxboard, our priority is to reduce boxboard quantity wherever possible. For all new products or existing products being reformulated we are reviewing the type, quantity and size of the packaging to ensure sustainable improvements.
Our vendors and industry play an important role in this process and we actively engage with them to create sustainable packaging solutions. Through these partnerships, we have achieved several significant changes to Compliments packaging in an effort to be more environmentally sensitive:
- Switching from UV coatings on packaging to water-based coating that is recyclable and environmentally safe,
- Removing the wax from many of our boxboard packages so the packaging can be recycled, and
- Switching from virgin boxboard to a more environmentally friendly recycled boxboard for our Sensations by Compliments packaging.
As we proceed on our private label optimization initiative, we are working with selected packaging suppliers to pilot the use of a third-party sustainable packaging tool to help with improved decisions on a package-by-package basis.
We are also working with the Packaging Association of Canada on its sustainable packaging initiative to encourage and promote the application of responsible environmental practices across all aspects of the packaging industry.
