CKF said it is honored that one of its newest designs in its Earthcycle™ line of home compostable and recyclable packaging has been recognized by a panel of expert judges as one of 10 nominees for the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2019. The strawberry punnet, which is being recognized for a potential award, was commercialized earlier in the year by Fresh Berry Co., a diversified grower/shipper of produce in Melbourne, Australia.
According to the company, Earthcycle is certified home compostable by AB Vincotte, is considered widely recyclable in waste paper streams and is FSC certified. As part of the market launch of Earthcycle in the UK and Europe, a comparative, independent carbon footprint analysis was undertaken by UK based consultancy Anthesis. CKF say the results of the study show that the production, transportation and distribution of Earthcycle punnets has a smaller carbon footprint as compared to similar sized petroleum based packaging. An Earthcycle punnet with top seal film is 98 percent less plastic than comparative rPET punnets with top seal film and can offer improved shelf life of 1-2 days, the company shared.
“The combination of the environmental credentials of the package, the superior performance and the consumer’s desire for less plastic positions Earthcycle as a material of the future” says Brad Dennis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CKF.
Fresh Berry immediately connected with the message and benefits of a home compostable and recyclable punnet when they were looking to re-brand their strawberry line. Says John Pettinella, one of three owners of the company, “we chose Earthcycle punnets for our Sustainable Farms brand of strawberries because we want to make a statement about our commitment to reduce plastic waste. The shelf life performance and automation speeds from top seal are added benefits”, adds Pettinella.
The punnet is part of the newest extension to the Earthcycle product line and aside from strawberries; there are punnets for blueberries and raspberries. Developed with industry input, the punnets mirror the common footprint of PET punnets, so customers can avoid additional investments in tooling, CKF said. The punnets have been commercially available since September 2018. The soft fruit punnets add to Earthcycle’s product line of top seal punnets for tomatoes and mushrooms along with trays that are used with flow wrap applications. Top seal film for the Earthcycle punnets are available in compostable substrates and can be made with an easy peel or a peel and reseal closure.
CKF will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin. Hall 23 Stand A-06.
For more information:
Brad Dennis
CKF, Inc.
Tel: +1 (416) 249-2272
bdennis@ckfinc.com
www.ckfinc.com