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Recyclable paper bag introduced for frozen French fries in U.S. food service sector

Lamb Weston has launched a recyclable paper bag option for its frozen French fries for food service customers in the United States. The development of this new packaging format is part of the company's efforts to offer solutions with a more sustainable end-of-life option compared to its traditional polyethylene bags. According to Michael Grandinetti, senior manager of packaging engineering at Lamb Weston, the initiative is aligned with the company's objective to create packaging that is recycle-ready, reusable, or compostable. This move aims to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions and decrease water usage in packaging production. Although Lamb Weston has previously provided paper bags, this redesign now allows the bags to be accepted in the paper recycling stream, enhancing their sustainability profile.

Despite exploring various alternatives, including mono-material PE packaging, Lamb Weston identified paper recycling as a more accessible option for its food service customers due to existing back-of-house infrastructure. However, transitioning to paper packaging presented challenges, notably achieving moisture and grease resistance, durability, and machinability without using traditional film coatings, which hinder recyclability. Grandinetti disclosed that the new paper bag utilizes a proprietary blend designed to pass OCC (Old Corrugated Container) acceptance testing by Western Michigan University, aligning with recyclability standards set by the FTC's Green Guides. Although specific details about the material technology and supplier collaboration remain undisclosed, the company's marketing materials hint at the use of a bio-based component, potentially indicating a recyclable biopolymer coating.

To verify the material's safety and quality for product use, Lamb Weston conducted extensive testing, including evaluations of material properties, dynamics, and real-world applications, in close collaboration with its supplier. The new material also integrates well with existing company equipment. Launched in the summer of 2024, the recyclable paper bag has been well received by food service customers, particularly those with their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, offering them a way to diminish their environmental impact.

Source: Packaging World

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