Page 66 - FoodFocusThailand No.191 February 2022

STRENGTHENING THE PACKAGINGGTHENING THE PACKAGING
STREN

The concept of innovative packaging development was created to reduce
environmental impact and promote the circulation system. Bio 24 is
a single-use food packaging that has been invented to solve food
packaging waste problems systematically and comprehensively
through a three-step process: food support, degradation, and
value-added. According to the concept of sustainable food
packaging, this packaging can respond to the requirements
of consumers, businesses, and the environment all at the
same time.
Bio 24:

A 24-hours Decomposes

Plant-based Single-use Packaging

Single-use food packaging is widely used in the food and beverage digestion, and compost enrichment. The digestion process does not
service industry. Although it enables convenience and enhances food require separation, so you can immediately discard the food container
safety, it is not reusable. This is because this type of packaging comprises with food-stained and leave them to decompose within 24-hours.
multiple layers of different materials. They are difficult to recycle when It means that single-use food packaging waste and food waste can be
stained with food waste and frequently end up in the environment or are used as fertilizer for agricultural purposes within 24-hours of leaving
incinerated. It is both a waste of resources and a heavy burden on current the table. Various types of sustainable food packaging are available,
waste management and future generations. So, dealing with single-use from packaging to tableware like packed carriers, lunch boxes, cake
food packaging is a complex problem, and it has a significant impact on boxes, cutlery, and cups. This packaging has made life easier for
the environment in many countries. For example, only 4% of plastic consumers and can also help them achieve zero waste without changing
waste was recycled in Singapore in 2018, despite having more than the costly operation. Here are the three steps that explain how Bio 24
500,000 tons of packaging waste. works:
From this gap in the recycling process in the value-chain, The STEP 1: Food Packaging Material (NEUTRIA)
packaging company1, Singapore-based sustainable food packaging, NEUTRIA is a bioactive polyester derived from plant-based sources.
and solutions company used the concept of a circular system to solve It breaks down rapidly upon deactivation in the Bio 24 digestor. This
these problems and designed food packaging to be reusable. So, package is sturdy, durable, and suitable for both hot and cold food or
consumers, businesses, and the environment can all benefit from the drinks, as well as being environmentally friendly.
solution. The company then started by tracking the waste journey and STEP 2 Bio 24 Digestion
tracing the recycled materials backward to collect data and link each The Bio 24 digestor employs a catalytic degradation process that
point. In addition, they aimed to find a practical way to close the waste significantly reduces the composting time of the food packaging material
loop, ensure technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, and meet the while avoiding the use of chemicals. By utilizing the action of the natural
user’s needs. The result revealed that single-use food packaging is often enzyme and plant-based material, the degradation time is reduced to
claimed as recyclable but is not recycled in practice. It is often wet or just 24 hours.
messed up with food scraps, thus making it hard to recycle. As a result, STEP 3 Compost Enrichment
incinerated and landfill methods were used instead. This single-use food After 24 hours in the digestor, food packaging and food waste turn
packaging is popular in quick-service restaurants, such as franchise into nutrient-enriched, organic compost ready to be packed and sent
businesses. It is faster and easier to use because there is no need for to farms.
cleaning and can reduce labor costs. This food container might look like ordinary single-use plastic. The
The main challenges and obstacles of the recycling process are difference is that Bio 24 biodegrades in 24 hours when placed in a
waste separation and human behavior, with an awareness of what can digestor with contaminated food waste. That means restaurants can
and cannot be recycled. Some packaging materials can be composted throw food containers together with food waste, thus saving separation
with food waste without being separated. However, these materials time and reducing worker and waste separation costs.
require 3-6 months of composting time before getting treated in an Currently, the Bio 24 system can reduce the amount of incinerated
industrial composting facility. So, most plastic waste and food waste are waste, which is one of the worst approaches because it is energy-
usually incinerated within a day to two days due to pest and sanitation intensive and harmful to the climate and ecosystem. It also reduces
concerns. The packaging company1 has developed a technology that the time and procedures for dealing with bio-plastic waste, which is
can quickly digest packaging materials, called Bio 24. The idea behind consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Moreover,
Bio 24 is to create a plant-based material that degrades quickly in soil Bio 24 can generate new revenue from waste by converting it into
and can replace plastic in food packaging. This project was developed high-quality fertilizer for agricultural uses to create resource
in collaboration with various industry groups, including waste sustainability, promote the circulation system, and keep debris out of
management companies for waste collection and digestion operations landfills.
and farms that receive compost from packaging waste.
Bio 24 is an elegant way to recycle single-use food packaging and
food waste together. It comprises three parts: food packaging, Bio 24
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