Advances in Packaging Recycling and Sustainability:

Division/Committee: [AGFD] Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

One of the biggest sustainability challenges facing the global food packaging industry is the push to incorporate recycled plastic and paper in food contact packaging materials to fuel the circular economy. Typical challenges for recycled material include traceability, overcoming potential misuse during prior handling, and separation of food contact compliant from non-compliant waste. This stresses the need to have a more complete understanding of the risks from undesirable contaminants in the food packaging made from the recyclate. Replacing petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable options is another key approach towards improving packaging sustainability and reducing plastic waste. Consumer and industry trust in recycled packaging is critical for market growth and is dependent upon due diligence to identify and remove contaminants from the recyclate.