Sustainable wrapping for the food industry

Adopting sustainable wrapping solutions can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the food industry, whilst promoting a more sustainable future.

In recent years, we’ve seen a gradual shift towards environmental best practices within the food industry. There’s been a notable increase in the adoption of sustainable wrapping solutions, driven by a growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and a heightened focus on minimising environmental impact.

For over 25 years, Prowrap has been a leading manufacturer of cling film, aluminium foil, baking papers, and dispensers. Its product lineup includes the award-winning, fully recyclable, PVC-free Ecocling, along with its renowned range of consumer, own brand, and professional cling films. Each product is crafted to meet the needs of professional caterers, extend food shelf life, and reduce waste.

Prowrap envision a future without food waste, a major contributor to climate change. The company also foresee advancements in recycling infrastructure that will efficiently handle more flexible plastic films, minimising the impact of packaging waste.

Prowrap aims to revolutionise wrapping through its six sustainability ingredients and core principles that guide its daily operations: manufacturing products in the UK to minimise carbon footprint, using recycle-ready films and foils, offering biodegradable and compostable parchment, investing in a greener future, reducing plastic usage and wrapping waste, and tackling food waste.

Sustainable investmentProwrap continually reinvests in all levels of its business to benchmark better ways of working. The company is also a proud member of several industry organisations that promote responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices, including the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), Sedex, Business in the Community, and Alupro.

Every Prowrap product is responsibly sourced or manufactured in the UK. The company develops new products as sustainably as possible, collaborating with key stakeholders in the foodservice sector to create new initiatives that benefit everyone in the industry.

Sustainable materials usedProwrap takes a holistic view that considers all aspects of a product’s life cycle. For example, its Infinity Foil can be recycled again and again, while its Ecocling films are suitable for recycling without compromising on stretchability, cutting capability, and durability. Their parchments are 100% biodegradable and compostable, ensuring that most of their products are designed to have a second life after use.

This approach is fundamental to every design decision Prowrap makes regarding its products. For example, their Speedwrap Pro Dispensers now feature Biocote antimicrobial technology, which enhances dispenser protection by inhibiting the growth of harmful microbes. This innovation allows kitchens to use more eco-friendly cleaning products while achieving the same high level of hygiene.

Ecocling is the newest addition to the Prowrap range. It is a fully recyclable PVC-free cling film that is available in widths of 300mm and 450mm to fit both sizes of the Speedwrap Pro dispenser. It is designed to balance recyclability and functionality, offering the high levels of durability and stretchiness that customers expect from professional-quality cling film.

Ecocling is suitable for covering and wrapping all types of food and is microwave and freezer-safe. It also fits seamlessly into the dispenser without the need for a plastic insert in the roll, reducing the amount of plastic used in the dispenser design.

The future must be sustainableProwrap understand and believe that using sustainable products in professional kitchens is vitally important to change. A spokesperson from Prowrap commented, “Both food waste and packaging waste are two major environmental issues, and kitchen operators are in the rare position of being able to influence both. In five years, kitchens will have a better handle on recycling challenges, driven by evolving consumer preferences and changing legislation, such as the anticipated simple recycling regulations.”

“One example where we helped a customer on their sustainability journey was when we designed our latest innovation, the Speedwrap Pro. Its compatible refills fit directly into the dispenser without needing a plastic adapter, significantly reducing plastic waste. Additionally, the dispenser incorporates Biocote antimicrobial technology, minimising the need for cleaning chemicals to maintain hygiene. By cutting precise lengths of film, foil, or parchment, the Speedwrap Pro also helps reduce wrapping material waste.”

Paving the wayProwrap is continually evolving and introducing new measures in collaboration with its customers to help reduce the overall environmental impact. One of these measures is a new dispenser recycling initiative. Prowrap will look to work with its customers to collect old, unwanted dispensers, and in conjunction with its UK injection moulding partner, Prowrap will recycle as much of the dispenser as possible to reuse across the Prowrap dispenser range.

Furthermore, Prowrap has recently announced its support for the Burnt Chef Project, a tremendous non-profit organisation focused on providing mental health training and support to hospitality workers.

A Prowrap spokesperson said, “Being a partner to our customers means more than simply providing products – we are seeking to drive the industry through creative, sustainable and innovative solutions to enable the foodservice sector to become productive, profitable and efficient.”

In addition to actively participating in culinary trade shows, Prowrap is committed to making a positive impact in its Bristol community. As members of the Business in the Community scheme, Prowrap acknowledges its environmental responsibility and strives to create a brighter future for all.

For more information, please see below:T 0117 965 7000www.wrapex.com