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Metal Packaging: Solution to Food Waste and World Hunger ?

- by reducing post-harvest waste in developing regions

Neil Cormack Robson MA, P.Eng., F.Inst. Pkg.President, International Packaging Consultants

Ottawa, CanadaOctober 2007

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Food distribution in developing regions - this picture says it all

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Consumers in Europe are duped into thinking that recycling charges ensure material recycling

There are proposals worldwide to ban or reduce use of plastics in packaging

Many states now require, or are proposing, depositson all types of beverage packaging

Some jurisdictions now restrict all packaging

considered non-recyclable

In this presentation it is contended thatthe entire Packaging Sector is under attack:

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Packaging is often a Scapegoat

• Governments use packaging initiatives to meet public demand for environmental action, while gaining revenue from waste material sales and reduced waste collection services.

• Such measures are justified by negative publicity that discredits the entire packaging industry and ignores its essential role in product distribution.

• The packaging sector could prove its worth by concrete contributions to third world hunger alleviation – and thus gain the moral high-ground it rightly deserves

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The Two Views of Waste

In the industrialized world In developing countries

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Industrialized Countries Less Developed Countries

High packaging waste Low packaging waste

Low food waste High food waste

Low food-borne disease High food-borne disease

Long distribution distances Only local distribution

Season independent Season dependent

Convenient preparation Prepare from scratch

Low preparation waste High preparation waste

Balanced diet possible Balanced diet difficult

Food Distribution around the World

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Food Availability Customer Attractions

Scarce Customer will buy any available food

Generally available Better product quality attracts some customers

Quality food abundant Provision of convenience packaging

Food oversupply Graphics emphasis on brands, quality

Extreme consumerism Appeals to lifestyles & fantasies Package becomes

entertainment Package becomes the product

Societal Evolution of Food Packaging

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Packaging cures forfood shortage and

waste – a long-standing

WPO proposal.

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• mobile fluid• paste• cream• discreet items• high density

• viscous fluid• solid/fluid mixture• powder• granules• irregular shape solid

1 - Pack must suit foodstuff’s physical form:

Relevant Food PackagingFeatures for Developing Regions

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• volatile• corrosive• flammable• pressurized• aseptic - sterile• odorous

• sticky• fragile• easily marked• perishable• susceptible to odour

transfer

2 - Pack has to be compatible with foodstuff that may be:

Relevant Food Packaging Features for Developing Regions

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Effect: Foodstuff types affected:

heat/cold temperature sensitiveshock fragile, compressible

vibration brittle, fragile

compression compressible

oxygen oxygen-susceptible.

moisture moisture sensitive

loss of sterility bacteriologically-sensitive

incompatibility chemically active

biological activity perishable

Distribution Hazards for Foodstuffs

Conditions or Events that can cause Food Wastage

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Desirable Features of Metal Packaging for Food Distribution in Developing Regions

• Steel can: - durable, heat-sterilizable, recyclable• Steel drum: - durable, reusable• Alu. can: - durable, pressure- holding, recyclable• Extruded aluminum tube: - durable, collapsible• Alu, foil dish/tray: - lightweight, recyclable• Metal/fibre composite can: - durable• Alu. foil/paper/plastic pack: - lightweight,compact• Alu. foil/plastic pouch: - lightweight, compact, heat

sterilizable

(only main positive features are recorded above; drawbacks may be advantages for competing pack systems)

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Kyrgyzstan

• In-can retort-processed fruit and vegetable conserves, Kyrgyzstan

• Paper labeled, 3 piece soldered 500 grm tinplate can

• Same can for apple, apricot, peach, pear, tomato, etc., purees

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Tajikistan

• PP/Alu.foil/PE laminate stock for tomato paste, Tajikistan

• Stand-up pouch (Doypack) format

• Printed stock supplied from Dubai

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Brazil

• 3-piece,welded and beaded, necked-in can for condensed milk, Brazil

• Wrap-round paper label

• Brazilian Government D.A.certified and bar-coded for export

• Graphics imply a Dutch dairy connection

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Thailand

• 3-piece welded, litho-printed necked-in can for coconut water, Thailand

• Easy-open alu. makers’ end, steel canners’ end,

• Jamaican company sourcing from Siam !

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Egypt

• 3-piece welded, litho printed cans, easy -open alu. Ends, for fruit juices (mango, guava etc,), Egypt

• Nutrition information and bar-code for export

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Iran

• 2-piece deep-drawn, overall litho-printed can for tuna, Iran

• Tinplate end requires opener

• Texts in Farsi, Arabic and English for mid-east markets

• Illegible batch code over-printed; no mention of ’serving suggestion’

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Morocco

• Drawn alu. can, unprinted, with easy-open end, for sardines, Morocco

• Paperboard carton provides protection and graphics

• ‘Maroc’ national brand logo featured prominently

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Example of Metal Packaging from Developing Countries - Tunisia

• Lined, flexo-printed alu. tube for harissa tomato/pimento paste, Tunisia

• Injection-molded PE screw cap

• Paperboard protective/display carton with same graphics

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Example of Metal Packaging from

Developing Countries - Dubai • Foil-lined fibre can,

tinplate packers’ end, alu. easy-open maker’s end, for chips, Dubai.

• HACCP certified, bar-coded and nutrient information for export

• PE overcap

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Principal Features required to expand Metal Packaging’s Role in reducing Food Waste

and alleviating Hunger

• Converted pack materials easily, quickly and economically delivered to packing stations;

• Reliable, low-cost pack/product sterilization, filling and hermetic sealing processes;

• Resistance to harsh distribution and storage conditions;

• Adequate (at least one year) shelf life;• Easy, low-cost pack material recovery and

recycling to ensure sustainability• Minimal decoration !

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Saving the world through better packaging!

A Great Opportunity for Canners and Canmakers

Prepared by Neil Cormack Robson, President, International Packaging Consultants

Illustrations pp 2-9 courtesy Kenneth S. Marsh,

Executive Director, Woodstock Institute for Science in Service to Humanity