Regulatory measures in the U.S., Canada, and the EU are driving efforts to enhance packaging sustainability. A notable $25 million initiative by the USDA, under its Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) program, is propelling this movement. The International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) Foundation for Fresh Produce, alongside Clemson University, has been allocated $5 million each to establish a Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab. This lab is set to focus on accelerating the development of new packaging and labeling solutions, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the University of Florida.
James Sternberg, an assistant professor at Clemson, highlighted the initiative's aim to address the recent regulations targeting plastic waste and the demand for increased use of post-consumer recycled material. The lab's creation responds to these regulatory shifts, aiming to innovate packaging designs for specialty crop exports. Sternberg outlined plans for publishing requests for proposals by early 2025, with FFAR managing the selection process. The projects, operating in a virtual lab environment, will explore pilot and commercialization projects alongside fundamental research to meet the new regulatory standards.
Max Teplitski of IFPA emphasized the USDA investment's role in advancing packaging solutions compliant with global regulations, aiming to facilitate trade and access to fresh produce. This effort builds on IFPA's Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator program, focusing on scaling industry innovation to adapt to changing packaging and labeling requirements across international markets.
The backdrop to these initiatives includes the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in the EU and several U.S. states, alongside ambitious goals set by California's Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act for 2032. The industry faces challenges in balancing sustainability goals with maintaining food affordability, as highlighted in discussions between IFPA representatives and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding plastic packaging regulations in Canada.
Efforts to develop sustainable packaging solutions, such as compostable PLU stickers, are underway, with partnerships and innovation being key to addressing the complex landscape of packaging regulations and environmental concerns. Sternberg pointed to the exploration of bioplastics and other sustainable materials as viable solutions, emphasizing the need for research to overcome challenges related to bulk transport and shelf life without increasing food waste. The sustainability labs aim to equip the specialty crop industry with packaging solutions that align with emerging regulations and environmental sustainability goals.
Source: Produce Processing