There’s no doubt that food packaging affects the environment, with one component material probably more damaging than any other – plastic.
However, while it’s clear plastics cause widespread ecological problems, they remain a useful component of food packaging, for which a viable alternative is often yet to be found.
Real progress is being made in terms of plastic recycling technology and even biodegradable plastics. However, with some products the integrity of the contents remains paramount.
This is especially true of food and pharmaceutical packaging, which have rigid safety standards that must be met throughout the transportation journey.
After all, plastics can help keep food products fresh for longer, cutting down on waste, avoid unhealthy contamination and protect products during transit and when they are on the shelves.
So, why is plastic environmentally damaging? At every step in its life cycle, plastic presents ecological risk. Manufactured largely from unsustainable fossil fuels, the production of plastics releases greenhouse gases. And, once it has served its purpose, most plastic is discarded, with much of it destined for landfill sites.
As a business founded on sustainable ideals, at Woolcool®, we take environmental impact seriously, while also ensuring our bespoke food packaging solutions are durable, versatile and compliant with regulations.
Woolcool® products necessarily use some plastics in order to adhere to standards and make our packaging long-lasting and reusable.
We believe that when it comes to the use of plastics, striking a balance is key – weighing environmental considerations with the significant benefits of careful plastic use.
Ultimately, it’s about producing packaging solutions that work hard to not only protect the contents within but also the planet.
With more than a decade of development work, and after millions of pounds invested in research, we have tailor-made our food packaging with sustainability in mind, aiming to always minimise plastic use and environmental impact while not compromising on quality.
Woolcool® products necessarily use some plastics in order to adhere to standards and make our packaging long-lasting and reusable.
However, we use as little plastic as possible. When plastic must be used, we use recycling grade 4 MDPE and LDPE plastics which can be recycled at home in the same way as many carrier bags – though it’s best to check your local council for recycling instructions.
And of course, by choosing Woolcool® temperature-controlled packaging, you can be confident that you are partnering with a company that has sustainability at its heart.
Our insulation is primarily made of 100% sheep’s wool, instead of polluting manmade materials such as polystyrene.
Optimised for insulation by Mother Nature herself, our wool packaging is highly effective at keeping your perishable foods at the desired temperature for up to 72 hours, whether chilled, frozen, ambient or hot.
Wool is abundant and sustainable, with eco-friendly disposal options ranging from recycling to composting to reusing. Most importantly, it’s completely biodegradable, ensuring no harmful micro-particles leach into natural habitats.
So, while we work hard to minimise the use of plastics, you can be sure that at the core of your Woolcool® packaging product our insulation is noted for its impeccable green credentials.
At Woolcool® we care about our environmental impact. It’s why we pioneered wool-based, sustainable packaging in the first place. And almost two decades after our research began, we continue to stay up-to-date with current research, to ensure our innovative packaging solutions remain as eco-friendly as possible.
