Recyclable corrugated shipping containers could provide the poultry industry with a sustainable alternative to wax-coated boxes.
“Packaging is a key part where we can help to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Melanie Galloway, the Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Innovation, DS Smith. “We are all looking at ways to reduce our footprint and reduce our impact on the environment.”
The packaging technology is made of natural substrates that are curbside recyclable, which means that it can be disposed of through regular channels as opposed to the disposal costs associated with wax-coated boxes.
The manufacturing process adds strength to the corrugated fibers, which are both impregnated and coated. The technology is also designed with a moisture barrier to keep the poultry products inside and the surroundings outside throughout the supply chain.
“The poultry supply chain is very demanding. It’s a moisture-rich environment. Shipping boxes need to stand up to that environment,” Galloway added.
Finding a way to reduce packaging waste is a hot topic with consumers, who are willing to pay more for products from companies who are dedicated to reducing waste, said a 2019 report from Innova Market Insights.
Benefits of sustainable packaging
In 2021, as a part of its environmental and sustainability initiative, Mountaire Farms used the wax-free 100% recyclable containers to replace nearly 87,7666 tons of wax coated containers that would otherwise go to landfills, preventing the emission of 205,254 tons of greenhouse gases, according to a press release.
“We’re proud to use a product that is fully recyclable and biodegradable while still holding up to the harsh conditions of the supply chain,” Catherine M. Bassett, Director of Communications and Community Relations for Mountaire Farms, said in a statement.
Mountaire Farms, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, is the sixth largest broiler company in the United States, having processed 57.39 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2019. The privately owned company employs nearly 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina.
