by Daniel Jackson, Content Editor, Milling and Grain
Flour is used in every household and has been throughout human history. Since it is so ubiquitous, careful consideration must be given to its packaging. Flour is generally packaged in stand-up pouches which are made by laminating several layers of plastic together, creating a barrier against external factors such as sunlight, air and moisture. Because of these qualities, it is also known as barrier packaging. Recently there has been a focus on making it more sustainable.
As more consumers are taking environmental considerations into account when making their buying decisions, companies are increasingly making sustainable and recyclable flour bags. Stand-up pouches are more environmentally friendly because they take up very little space in landfill.
Flour is used in every household and has been throughout human history. Since it is so ubiquitous, careful consideration must be given to its packaging. Flour is generally packaged in stand-up pouches which are made by laminating several layers of plastic together, creating a barrier against external factors such as sunlight, air and moisture. Because of these qualities, it is also known as barrier packaging. Recently there has been a focus on making it more sustainable.
As more consumers are taking environmental considerations into account when making their buying decisions, companies are increasingly making sustainable and recyclable flour bags. Stand-up pouches are more environmentally friendly because they take up very little space in landfill.
When empty, each bag is no bigger than an 8x10 shipping envelope and is also recyclable. They are also cheaper than other flour packaging solutions and help manufacturers save money on inventory costs because they occupy much less space than other packaging solutions.
An initiative by a company called TerraCycle aims to make LDPE plastic bags for packaging of flour more common. Any LDPE plastic bread bag can be sent back to the company to be recycled. Packaging will be shredded and converted into plastic pellets or flakes, before being used to make new recycled products such as public benches and outdoor furniture. It is excellent at keeping the product fresh and, after its use, can be recycled safely.
Cellulose-based films are another environmentally friendly option for packaging flour products. These types of pouches decompose in three months in industrial composting settings. That’s because unlike corn and starch-based compostable bags, the wood pulp mitigates any potential negative impact on existing food supplies.
Other plant-based sustainable packaging materials include polylactic acid; these packages are able to decompose in fourteen weeks in a hot and active compost pile. PLA packs are commonly used for packaging finished products for consumers.
The way flour is packed also depends on its quantity – for small amounts there is no consideration given to the robustness of the package. However, with a larger quantity, the packet should be strong enough to be transported securely.
Read more HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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