New Clemson laboratory will help farmers continue specialty crop exports
CLEMSON, SC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Clemson University $5 million to fund research and design projects that will develop food packaging to meet emerging Canadian and European packaging regulations.
Fresh strawberries are often packaged in plastic.
Image credit Mark Stebnicki / Pexels
The Clemson University Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (SPIL) will partner with private industry and other academic institutions to finalize sustainable packaging solutions, enabling South Carolina and U.S. farmers to continue exporting fruits and vegetables valued at $143 billion in 2023.
The new international regulations aim to eliminate single-use and small-quantity packaging in favor of bulk bins for produce quantities under 1.5 kg. According to the regulations, plastic used in packaging must contain more post-consumer recycled content. The regulations also seek to eliminate shrink wrap and require compostable labels on produce, so everything can be composted together, enhancing sustainability.
These regulations follow efforts by the United Nations to reduce plastic waste globally and work toward a Global Plastics Treaty.
“Governments have begun setting targets and regulations associated with packaging waste, especially since studies have found that up to 40 percent of plastic waste comes from packaging. SPIL will help ensure our specialty crops packaging meets these new requirements and can continue to be exported,” said James Sternberg, Clemson University assistant professor of sustainable packaging.
A preliminary analysis of 207 specialty crops identified by the USDA showed that plastic use in export packaging is primarily found in clamshells, mesh bags, plastic bags, plastic tubs, bulk bins and plastic sleeves with direct food contact labeling.
“In many cases, the requirements can be met by substituting more recyclable materials; however, significant challenges remain in designing packaging for recycling and incorporating post-consumer content in subsequent generations of the material,” Sternberg said.
SPIL will unite Clemson’s Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science (FNPS) faculty with expertise in areas such as chemical synthesis and recycling of polymers; organic composting and lifecycle analysis; antimicrobial and biodegradable films; active and intelligent packaging; package and material testing; polymer processing and mechanical recycling; and postharvest biology.
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