In an article posted on May 22, 2019, news provider Plastics News Europe informed about the development of a fiber-based tray aimed to replace black plastic trays in ready-made meals. Named “Fresh,” the new tray was developed in a collaboration between UK supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners and packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki. It is described as being suitable for both microwave and regular ovens, recyclable in the waste paper stream, and able to break down completely within 28 weeks in a home compost not requiring increased temperatures. Black plastic trays commonly used for packaging ready-made meals have been challenging for waste-sorting machines to recognize (FPF reported). Waitrose & Partners has removed the use of black plastic from many of its product lines and plans to phase it out completely by the end of the year.
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Karen Laird (May 22, 2019). “New alternative to black plastic trays.” Plastics News Europe
Daily Mail (May 22, 2019). “Waitrose unveils the world’s first compostable ready meal trays after finding a replacement for tricky-to-recycle black plastic.”
Packaging Europe (May 22, 2019). “New fiber-based ready meal trans from Huhtamaki to replace black plastic.“
