Introducing recyclable bags from SPECIFIC
We are delighted to be able to say that our new range of dry organic diets are in recyclable packaging.
This is merely the start and we are committed to having all of our products in recyclable packaging by 2023
Why is most dry pet food packaging not recyclable?
Most dry pet food bags are made from two or three layers of different types of plastic. Because they are a mix of different types of plastic, they are generally unsuitable for recycling. Sometimes they will be used for energy recovery – burned to produce electricity – but often they end up in landfill or worse still, in the oceans
What does pet food packaging have to do?
Dry pet food packaging has to do a number of things
Protect the food – the packaging needs to have a good barrier to protect the contents from oxygen and moisture. This is important to both extending the shelf life and reducing food waste and to preserving product quality by keeping the taste fresh and the nutrients intact
Run through filling lines - The bags have to be heat sealable, with a seal strong enough to hold and to work every time and flexible enough to go through automated filling lines
Handling through the supply chain - The bags have to be strong enough to be transported without cracking or splitting
Until now non-recyclable, multiple layer, laminated packaging has been the only way to do this
What Is Different About Our New Recyclable Packaging?
Our recyclable packaging does all that normal pet food packaging does but is made from a single type of plastic so it is much more widely recyclable.
The innovation, that allows all of barrier and handling properties but from bags from a single type of plastic, is to have layers of the same type of plastic but with a gas barrier between the layers.
Not every recycling collection scheme accepts this type of plastic but many do and the numbers that do are growing.
Once collected, our packaging will be processed into granules and then made into a film. From this film, the recyclate can be used to produce many things including pet food bags
Independently Certified
Certified as Made for Recycling with a score of 19/20 - Very Good by Interseroh, global recycling specialists.
- Assignability to the collection system - 2 out of 2
- Sortability of the packaging - 6 out of 6
- Suitability for mechanic recycling and the provision of secondary products - 11 out of 12
A Life cycle analysis (LCA) of our new recyclable bags looked at their performance compared to the non-recyclable bags that we are moving away from.
An LCA is a measurement of the environmental impact of a product through its whole life, looking at impacts from material extraction, manufacturing, transport and end of life disposal and looking at a wide range of measures
12.4% LESS FOSSIL FUEL USE
2.66% LOWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
20.68% LESS WATER USED
22.89% LESS MINERAL RESOURCE USE
12.4% LESS FRESHWATER EUTROPHICATION
chemical nutrients in water resulting that result in excessive plant / algal growth and reduced water oxygen levels
16.53% REDUCTION IN HUMAN IMPACT
a measure of the burden of human disease caused by pollution from a product using disability adjusted life years DALY
53.07% REDUCTION IN FRESHWATER ECOTOXICITY
a measure of the emissions resulting in aquatic toxic impacts
Our Circle of Good Commitment
SPECIFIC is committed to a philosophy that we call the Circle of Good
We believe it is our responsibility to support the environment that produces the extraordinary ingredients that create our nutritious and healthy foods
WE AIM FOR
- Sustainability of our packaging
- Sustainability of our recipes and ingredients
- Sustainability of our warehousing and distribution
- Sustainability of our manufacturers
Achieving sustainability is a journey a series of improvements in all areas of business and this introduction and roll out of recyclable packaging is an important step in that journey