INNOVATION: EFSA food-approved recycling process

Grocery retailers can now have their old returnable transit packaging (RTP) recycled into new high-quality food grade containers, thanks to Schoeller Allibert’s European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) accredited recycling process.

Schoeller Allibert is one of the first RTP manufacturers to gain EFSA-approval, which covers the recycling and remoulding processes at its facilities in Murcia, Spain; Monheim, Germany; and Hardenberg, Netherlands. The accredited process, which covers the recycling of food-grade high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) crates into new containers for food contact, has been developed in order to help retailers meet increasing stringent sustainability targets.

Traditionally, old or damaged plastic containers would be recycled for other use but could not re-enter the food supply chain as the plastic was not certified for direct contact with fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, or bakery products.

Ludo Gielen, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Schoeller Allibert, explains the process: “When food-grade crates need replacing due to age or damage, they can be returned to one of our three EFSA-approved facilities for recycling. Providing they have been used in a closed or controlled loop distribution system, which allows traceability of provenance, we can recycle used HDPE and PP material and mould into new crates for use in the food and fresh produce supply chain.

www.schoellerallibert.com/sk