A Scottish business involved in food safety and reducing un-recyclable plastic waste has won an £80,000 award to help take it to the next level.
ReCover Packaging was recognised at the Scottish EDGE Awards after developing the technology for ‘sustainable, re-closeable’ film for the lids of food containers
Scottish EDGE is a funding competition for high growth potential businesses and this year distributed £1.5 million to a total of 40 businesses.
ReCover Packaging, founded by Glasgow entrepreneur Ken Adams, is described as having the potential to be a ‘game-changer’ for the food industry since its technology allows lidding film to be recycled with household collections.
Mr Adams said, “The Scottish EDGE Award recognises that sustainability as well as convenience is at the heart of the ReCover process. The film opens easily, removing the need for consumers to use knives or scissors, and it reseals securely, meaning that food can be stored safely and hygienically for longer, cutting down on food waste.
“It also means that consumers no longer have to re-pack food in cling film, foil or plastic bags, cutting down on the amount of disposables that we all use, with detrimental environmental effect.”
Until now, the recommendation has been that lidding film is removed from food trays before they are recycled, because it can damage machinery in material recycling facilities. ReCover said that its solution allows the film to stay on the tray and be included in kerbside collections.
The adhesive remains on the film, which is peeled away from the tray, ensuring ‘minimal risk’ of contamination and ‘more effective and efficient’ re-closing, the business added.
