Why automation can help to reduce the environmental impact of packaging
Author : Stephen Hayes, Beckhoff UK
28 August 2024
Is a blanket ban on plastic packaging really viable? Here Stephen Hayes, MD of Beckhoff UK, explains how food and beverage manufacturers can tackle demands for more productive and efficient packaging designs.
Every year, the UK produces around 2.4 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste, a significant portion of which comes from the food and beverage industry. Only 44.2 percent of this packaging was recycled last year, with the rest ending up in landfills, incineration or the environment.
It's clear that food and beverage packaging has a huge impact on the environment. It’s estimated that 70 percent of all litter found in UK coastal areas was related to food and drink packaging. On top of this, the producing and disposing of single-use plastics generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The UK’s overall carbon footprint from packaging waste is estimated to be the equivalent to 700,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The UK Government is currently considering a ban on fruit and vegetable plastic packaging for supermarkets, returning to traditional greengrocer methods. However, there are several implications relating to this.
Plastic packaging extends the shelf life of fresh produce by providing a barrier against moisture and air, which can lead to spoilage. With the average household in the UK already throwing away £700 of food annually, a blanket ban for supermarkets could cause this to increase further.
Plastic packaging also protects produce during transportation and provides a hygienic barrier to contaminants such as dirt and bacteria. It provides space for labelling, which can include important information such as nutritional content, origin and usage instructions. It can also encourage healthier eating habits for consumers by making it more straightforward to prepare and consume fresh produce, especially if it arrives pre-washed, pre-cut or portioned.
With this in mind, rather than a complete ban, would it be better to reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging by making changes to the manufacturing process? Here, automation can make a huge difference.
Automation systems can precisely measure and dispense the exact amount of packaging material needed for each product, reducing waste and ensuring that only the necessary amount of packaging is used. By minimising excess packaging, automation helps decrease the overall consumption of material and reduces waste sent to landfill.
Automation systems, using PC-based control technology, can also influence the environmental impact of the packaging process by integrating all control function such as PLC, motion control, HMI and safety, into a single platform. Overall, this allows for continuous operation with optimised energy use, reducing the carbon footprint associated with food packaging.
Modular automation systems, like Beckhoff’s MX-System, can seamlessly adjust to different packaging formats and production volumes, allowing manufacturers to incorporate new, sustainable packaging materials, such as biodegradable plastics, recycled paper and compostable films without a negative impact on quality and performance. This makes it easier for food and beverage manufacturers to switch from conventional plastics to greener alternatives, without compromising in other areas.
A blanket ban on plastic packaging is unlikely to come into effect any time soon. But making small changes during the manufacturing process could make a huge difference overall. For more information about how you can use automation and control technology to improve the sustainability of your manufacturing process, visit www.beckhoff.com.
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