Parkside develops packaging from eucalyptus trees

The Ooh-la-la tea biscuits pack includes a triple-layer structure made up of paper, metallized NatureFlex bio-film and a bio polymer sealant web. The design is claimed to provide ‘excellent’ barrier to moisture and oxygen barrier to extend product shelf life, and help retailers and consumers minimize food waste.

Parkside worked with ethical food brand Rhythm 108 with the brief to develop a pack made from sustainable sources, including eucalyptus trees, which is fully compostable at the end of its service life. NatureFlex is created from wood-pulp from sustainably sourced eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. For every tree used, another is planted in its place. Further, the pack has attained Vincotte’s OK Compost Home and Seeding certification after achieving a high degree of compostability.

Paul Lenihan, new business development manager at Parkside, said: ‘Sustainability remains a hot topic of conversation within the packaging world. Consumers are demanding more environmentally friendly processes and retailers are responding by asking their supply chains to come up with innovative ways to save carbon and avoid end-of-life incineration and landfill.

‘Rhythm 108 wanted packaging that addressed the needs of consumers and that fitted with its natural organic ethos. Parkside has answered this demand. From a sustainability perspective, we have utilized sustainable materials to develop the pack instead of oil based polymers. In addition, the pack is fully compostable.’

Siddhi Mehta, founder of Rhythm 108, added: ‘More and more, customers are looking for healthy organic snacking options. With our convenient packets, we believe our Ooh-la- la tea biscuits target all three customer preferences: healthy, wholesome ingredients and fabulous taste. The packaging is not only convenient and suited to today’s on-the-go lifestyle, it is environmentally friendly as it’s made from bio-based materials and can then be thrown in the compost bin at home.’