The role of packaging in minimising food waste in the supply chain of the future : Prepared for: CHEP Australia

摘要: Food security is an emerging challenge for policy makers and companies in the food supply chain. The global population expected to grow 9 billion demand by 77% 2050. Over same period production will be under threat from climate change, competing land uses, erosion diminishing supplies of clean water. One solutions this dilemma increased efficiency waste reduction chain.This report focuses on packaging opportunities that may help reduce or recover waste. Packaging has a vital role play containing protecting as it moves through chain consumer. It already reduces transport storage, innovations materials, design labelling provide new improve efficiencies. Product protection needs primary goal sustainability, sometimes requires trade-offs between waste.The draws international literature review interviews with representatives 15 organisations Australian considers along entire chain, but particular emphasis occurs prior consumption, i.e. during agriculture production, post-harvest handling storage raw commercial industrial (CI unpredictable weather conditions; not meeting quality specificationsPost-harvest storage: specifications and/or appearance; pest damage; spillage degradationProcessing packaging: trimmings other preparation waste; line start up; batch mistakes; inadequate remaining shelf lifeDistribution (wholesale retail): damage transit/storage due failures; product spoilage; fresh produce damaged handling; life poor stock rotation low salesFood service: inventory management (e.g. over-ordering); improper confusion over use-by best-before dates; plate leftoversAt home: preparing too much food; past leftovers.A number improvements were identified, including:1) Distribution provides better farm processor, wholesaler retailer. This require development tailored individual products.2) supports recovery surplus unsaleable farms redirects rescue organisations.3) Improved secondary ensure fit-for-purpose, adequately protects products they move developers need understand distribution process where why occurs.4) A continuing shift pre-packed processed foods extend at point consumption (the home services provider). itself also recoverable minimise overall environmental impacts.5) Adoption materials technologies, such modified atmosphere oxygen scavengers, food6) Education manufacturers, retailers consumers about meaning best- before date marks these are used appropriately. Confusion marking results being thrown away when still safe eat7) cater changing patterns smaller households. Single serve single two person households.8) Collaboration manufacturers industry’s understanding Greater attention given occurs, tracking time, costs impacts waste.9) More synchronised chains use intelligent data sharing excess out-of-date stock.10) Increased retail ready double turnover, while ensuring designed effective recoverability (reuse recycling) end life.The implementation initiatives could supported further research communication activities highlight critical links packaging, Study recommendations include:Detailed analysis using direct observations sampling key aggregation points, grading, sorting packing. reasons would documented analysed identify improvement.Collaborative into potential systems improved specific chains. Agricultural items selected based their contribution economy, unit sales value, impact, volumes chain.Analysis different service premises (e.g., hotel, cafe, restaurant, take away) innovation recovery.Life cycle assessment formats packaging) generation.Life serves, bulk impact waste.Education raise awareness educate stakeholders innovation.Education consumer can keeping fresh.