Reducing plastics and including recycled content whilst limiting food waste
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As producers, packagers and retailers work towards meeting the Courtauld Commitments by 2025, many existing packaging solutions for fresh produce will no longer be acceptable. This presents particular challenges for perishable products, where the packaging environment plays a critical role in maintaining quality throughout storage and distribution.
The challenge is understanding how fresh produce responds to alternative packaging solutions. Materials such as recycled plastics, compostable films and biocomposites may behave very differently to conventional packaging, potentially affecting factors such as moisture loss, gas exchange and overall product quality during storage and transport.
The proposal from the Produce Quality Centre (PQC) is to coordinate a network of academic and commercial experts across materials science, supply chains and postharvest plant physiology. This work will evaluate the performance of innovative packaging materials, including films with varying recycled content and biodegradable alternatives, in maintaining the quality of fresh produce.
By combining expertise from across disciplines, the project aims to generate practical insights that support the transition to more sustainable packaging without compromising product quality.
For further information, please contact Dr Lori Fisher at L.Fisher@gre.ac.uk.