bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1205

Events
Will bioplastics benefit
from Olympic boost?
By
Matthew Aylott
Science Writer for the NNFCC
Heslington, York, UK
Dr John Williams, Head of Materials at bioeconomy consultants
NNFCC and adviser to the London Organising Committee
to the Olympic Games (LOCOG) discusses the role of
sustainable packaging at the Games and asks: “Where do we go
from here?”
LOCOG wanted to devise a system for packaging that would help
the organisers reduce waste to zero. If successful it would be the
very first time an Olympic Games would deliver zero waste.
This was no small task considering more than 3,300 tonnes of
food and food related packaging waste would be created during
the games. Tackling this problem would require an entirely new
approach to packaging and waste management.
NNFCC along with members of the Renewable Packaging Group
and the wider waste and packaging industries worked with LOCOG
to find a solution that was both economically viable and would help
the organisers meet their ambitious environmental targets.
Following these discussions LOCOG decided to use recyclable
packaging and where that wasn’t possible they would use EN 13432
certified compostable packaging. This would allow the majority of
food packaging waste to be recycled or turned into compost.
New approach to packaging
Making the vision a reality would be a challenge but if successful
would have a huge impact on the future of packaging at events.
In February this year London Bio Packaging was appointed
as non-sponsor food packaging suppliers to the London 2012
Olympic Games. The company develops finished products that
provide recyclable or compostable alternatives to less sustainable
packaging materials.
Compostable packaging was used because it helps to tackle one
of the most challenging problems facing event organisers; how
do you cut waste from difficult to recycle packaging streams like
materials which become contaminated with food?
This was particularly problematic for the Olympics, with an
estimated 40% of waste generated during the Games coming from
food or contaminated packaging. Compostable packaging offers a
natural solution to this problem as it can be mixed with organic
waste and the two can be composted together.
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/12] Vol. 7