A survey conducted by the Danish Technological Institute has shown that 14 per cent of Danish household food waste stems from meal leftovers.
Although these can be reheated, very often this is in a microwave oven, and the survey identified that many find the uneven heating of this process makes the food less savoury so that it still ends up in the bin.
In an attempt to alter this behaviour, RPC Superfos has contributed to the development of a new multifunctional plastic storage box which ensures a more even distribution of the microwave heat.
This development project has been run together with Imerco, a Danish chain of retailers of household and home decoration products, and the Danish Technological Institute.
The new plastic storage box makes reheated leftovers tastier and therefore reduces food waste at household level.
Such an initiative provides another example of plastic packaging’s ability to prevent food waste, in itself recognised as a major environmental problem, and make an important contribution to the development of a circular economy.
Janni Langkjær Pedersen, Sustainability Communication Manager at RPC Superfos, said: “Food wastage in the food supply chain would increase dramatically if we gave up plastic packaging as we have not seen any better, and more sustainable, alternatives.”
“While excessive packaging must be avoided, we cannot ignore the fact that plastic packaging has outstanding features for keeping foods fresher for longer and protecting them from damage.”