They design, develop and supply a wide range of sustainable food and drinks packaging. The products ensure it is sustainable by making sure their products are made from renewable or recycled resources; have a lower carbon footprint; and can be composted or recycled after use.
London Bio Packaging work with over 1000 food businesses from deli's and independent food retailers through to multi-national businesses with hundred of sites, including the London 2012 Olymic Games.
As park of the session we were given questions to answer through research:
A) How many take away meals were consumed over the course of the 2012 Olympic Games?
14 million take away meals were consumed.
B) How much waste to landfill were Olympics organizers expecting to hand to go to landfill?
8,500 tonnes.
C) How many pieces of packaging were needed for the games - and by supplying these what did LBF help the games achieve?
120 million pieces of packaging were used, that were all sustainable, and ensured that all waste was recycled or composted after use.
D) Take a moment to look around their site -
- How many stages are there in their 'closed loop' system?
There are five stages to their 'closing the loop' system.
- What happens at each stage?
The first stage is to SUPPLY, this means that they will ensure the disposable packaging is either compostable or recyclable. LBP arranges initial audit of the food/catering to understand the packaging requirements, waste etc.
The second stage is to DISPOSE, meaning they have the process to collect and compost packaging waste. Which they have now extended to recyclable waste.
Thirdly, COLLECT, which LBP arranges your waste collection using either your existing waste contractor or waste contractor.
The fourth stage is the PROCESS, the contractor ensures that all of the waste is taken to the correct facility where it is either composted or recycled.
The final stage is, RE-USE, the compost created is used for agriculture to help grow new crops and the recycled materials is reprocessed and made into new products.
- Is this appropriate for this company? If yes then please explain why you think so?
E) Look even further around the site. LBP use a wide range of marerials..
- What are 'bioplastics'? Is there anything than can explain further the oil carbon savings?
Bio-plastics, is made from plants such as corn. Plants that are easy to re-grow offer a great renewable resource. The carbon footprint of bio-plastic is much lower then traditional petroleum based plastics.
If you click on this LINK on this page there is a link to an animation which illustrates the oil and carbon savings.
- Look at the other materials LBP use. Could you order these in terms of 'most sustainable', explain why you've ordered them like this.
BIO-PLASTICS as the most sustainable as it is made from plants, and is annually renewable and suitable for commercial compost.
Then PLANT STARCH as the second most sustainable, as it is made from crops like corn and/or potatoes.
Followed by SUGAR BAGASSE which is a waste material produced from sugar cane once it has been harvested for the sugar syrup.
RECYCLED PAPER, as it results in less land being given to commercial forestry and protects the forests from being destroyed.
FOREST WOOD, as it made from renewable plant resources.
PALM LEAF, as the product is natural, compostable and biodegradable.
Finally, RECYCLED PLASTICS, as this counts on others recycling their used plastics, though it does the amount of fossil fuels resources, has a lower carbon footprint then plastics, and diverts the material from the landfill.
F) What is PSM and what are it's key properties? Why is this useful?
PSM is Plant Starch Material, it is made from renewable crops like corn or potatoes. Its key properties are: flexible; heat resistant. This makes it suitable for hot food applications and ideal for bio disposable cutlery.
G) What is sugar bagasse and how might it be turned into packaging?
Sugar bagasses is a waste material produced once sugar cane has been harvested for sugar syrup, which is called bagasses. It is turned into packaging products from its raw form, using a process of heating, pulping and then pressurized moulding.
H) Pick one other material listed and explain what it is and what it's key properties and considerations are.
Palm Leaf. This product os natural, compostable and biodegradable. It is stylish, tough and heat resistant. It is just a washed and pressed leaf. It varies in thickness from 2mm to 4mm, as well as colour and pattern so you can have a bespoke look every time - everyone will look different.
I) The London Bio Packaging PDF >>>> PDF
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