It took only 12 months to develop a new paper packaging solution to replace plastic in the supermarket fresh produce department: a 100% recyclable paper bag for ready-to-eat salads. Until now, no alternative to non-recyclable plastic was available to manufacturers.
This packaging is the first concrete result of the (RE)SET Packaging program "a plastic free packaging". Initiated by (RE)SET, a company dedicated to the circular economy, this R&D program brings together a dozen players including Carrefour, the LSDH group for the Les Crudettes salad brand and Sirane, a French packaging manufacturer.
"With this disruptive innovation, this pilot paves the way for the elimination of single-use plastics throughout this aisle and is a step forward in transforming the use of packaging in France." they state in the joint press release.
This paper bag is made of pure cellulose and its coating is of natural origin. It "will ensure all the properties necessary to preserve the freshness of salads throughout their shelf life." . This will require "technical adaptations, but should allow the use of current packaging lines."
Carrefour will be the first retailer to introduce this new packaging for the Les Crudettes brand in spring 2021.
The (RE)SET Packaging program is also working on 29 other products that are currently being tested and that concern coating solutions, new alternative packaging or recycling.
