{"id":1156,"date":"2024-07-26T05:04:18","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T09:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=1156"},"modified":"2024-07-26T05:04:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T09:04:18","slug":"epa-studies-single-use-packaging-in-irish-fruit-and-veg-supply-chain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=1156","title":{"rendered":"EPA studies single-use packaging in Irish fruit and veg supply chain"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Consumer-level packaging reuse is identified by the EPA as an option. Credit: Derick P. Hudson via Shutterstock. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the government of Ireland, has analysed the use of single-use packaging in sales of fruit and vegetable products to identify options for reduction.<\/p>\n

According to the study<\/a>, non-essential primary packaging may be eliminated entirely in favour of loose produce in some instances. This approach also allows consumers to purchase the exact amount needed, potentially reducing household food waste.<\/p>\n

But not all fruit and vegetables are suited to loose sale due to high perishability or fragility.<\/p>\n

Industry stakeholders have also highlighted that there may be little to no economic incentive for retailers to switch from pre-packaged to loose produce, due to the potential commercial impact of consumers purchasing less or switching to retailers that offer pre-packaged produce.<\/p>\n

Consumer-level re-use is identified by the EPA as an option. Consumers would use re-usable packaging to gather loose produce at the point of sale in an approach complementary to loose produce. This is already being adopted by several retailers in Ireland.<\/p>\n

Potential challenges of this include ensuring sufficient levels of re-use and overcoming the additional time and effort required on the part of the consumer.<\/p>\n

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