MONDi is partnering with Welton, Bibby and Baron (WBB), a packaging supplier to the UK food and FMCG markets, to introduce recyclable paper-based bread bags to retail shelves.
WBB is converting Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper Reduce to create brown and white paper bags for different pre-packed fresh bread products.
Mondi explained FunctionalBarrier Paper Reduce is the thinnest paper possible in the firm’s barrier paper range, offering the strength needed for higher filling weights while delivering ‘superb’ food-compliant protection against water vapour, grease and moisture.
The final packaging is designed to keep the bread ‘fresh, soft and moist’, while offering a recyclable alternative to the previous unrecyclable packaging.
Both bags feature windows so that consumers can see the bread inside and at the same time support recyclability of the packaging. The brown bag has a glassine window which can be disposed of in the paper bin and recycled together with the bag. The white bag comes with a detachable film window that can be separated from the paper part and disposed of in separate recycling bins.
The paper bags qualify for a recycling label from the On Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL) and can be recycled via kerbside collection by consumers across the UK.
Mick Robinson, business solutions manager functional paper and films at Mondi, said, “With our MAP2030 sustainability targets, we are fully committed to developing circular packaging options to satisfy our customers and their end users, who are looking for more sustainable and convenient solutions in their shopping habits and overall lifestyles. Long-standing partnerships like this mean we can actively support brands and retailers in their steps towards sustainability.”
Andrew Lockyear, technical manager at Welton Bibby & Baron, added, “Close collaboration with the Mondi team meant we had access to a lot of expertise throughout the whole process, enabling us to turn around this brilliant result in such a short time frame. To meet possible future regulative requirements, we’ll be working with Mondi a lot more, further improving existing solutions and proactively leading the sustainability game.”
