Post-ban performance: From EPS to kp Infinity®
The deadline is here. In January, the UK Government sounded its call for environmental responsibility with a blanket ban on many single-use plastics, including expanded polystyrene (EPS) foodservice packaging.
Since 1 October, this ban is now in effect.
Although the ban has the potential to bring disruption to companies in the foodservice sector, we have developed an exciting replacement solution - our exclusive kp Infinity® packaging.
In this blog, we explore the context around kp Infinity®, and why it’s such a great choice to meet today’s foodservice market needs.
Since 1 October, this ban is now in effect.
Although the ban has the potential to bring disruption to companies in the foodservice sector, we have developed an exciting replacement solution - our exclusive kp Infinity® packaging.
In this blog, we explore the context around kp Infinity®, and why it’s such a great choice to meet today’s foodservice market needs.
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Why the EPS ban?
While the UK has taken significant steps to combat plastic waste, it became clear that existing measures do not adequately address the problem. Single-use plastics, often discarded haphazardly by consumers, litter our land and sea. Moreover, certain plastics, including EPS, cannot be efficiently recycled at scale.
The ban covers a broad spectrum of single-use plastic items, including all plastic disposable cutlery, EPS-based food containers, plates, and cups, as well as select plastic plates, bowls, and trays sold directly to consumers. It has also been established that by 2024, Wales will ban polystyrene lids for takeaway cups and food containers.
EPS single-use packaging, a common sight in foodservice businesses, was once celebrated for its affordability and insulating properties. Now the material has come under scrutiny due to its inability to be recycled in conventional waste streams. Essentially, the product is too light to be collected in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable as a recycled material, and today’s recycling infrastructure is not set up to handle the material. As a result, over 30 countries have now either banned or restricted the use of EPS in its various forms.
Since 1 October, businesses that were reliant on EPS packaging must adapt to this new era of plastic regulation. Businesses that continue to supply banned single-use plastics risk facing fines.
The ban covers a broad spectrum of single-use plastic items, including all plastic disposable cutlery, EPS-based food containers, plates, and cups, as well as select plastic plates, bowls, and trays sold directly to consumers. It has also been established that by 2024, Wales will ban polystyrene lids for takeaway cups and food containers.
EPS single-use packaging, a common sight in foodservice businesses, was once celebrated for its affordability and insulating properties. Now the material has come under scrutiny due to its inability to be recycled in conventional waste streams. Essentially, the product is too light to be collected in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable as a recycled material, and today’s recycling infrastructure is not set up to handle the material. As a result, over 30 countries have now either banned or restricted the use of EPS in its various forms.
Since 1 October, businesses that were reliant on EPS packaging must adapt to this new era of plastic regulation. Businesses that continue to supply banned single-use plastics risk facing fines.
kp Infinity® is based on expanded polypropylene (EPP) and is not subject to the ban. Notably, kp is the only manufacturer of EPP in the UK at the time of writing.
Infinite possibilities with kp Infinity®
kp Infinity® is a packaging format that builds on all the best qualities of EPS foodservice packaging, while bringing even more benefits to users.
kp Infinity® is based on expanded polypropylene (EPP) and is not subject to the ban. Notably, kp is the only manufacturer of EPP in the UK at the time of writing.
Set to change the foodservice packaging market, kp Infinity® is easily recycled. This instantly eliminates one of the key sticking points of incumbent EPS packaging. To make this clear and actionable for consumers, prominent ‘Recycle Me’ messaging is featured on the packaging – and is made hard to miss.
kp Infinity® has been developed as a like-for-like replacement for foodservice businesses, providing the versatility and insulating performance that end users have come to expect from their traditional EPS packaging. Bringing new additional benefits, kp Infinity® is also microwavable, enabling packed contents to be reheated, and is naturally waterproof. This removes the need for additional coatings or additives, giving the pack excellent stability and preserving food quality.
The innovation makes logistics and handling simple with its durable, lightweight design. Perfect for the diverse needs of today’s foodservice, catering and hospitality industries, kp Infinity® is resistant to common food elements, including hot oils and acids, enhancing food quality and minimising odour transfer.
Incumbent EPS packaging was lauded for its heat insulation properties and preserving the temperature of on-the-go food products. kp Infinity® matches this performance compared to the competition. Extensive testing shows that the kp Infinity® keeps food hotter by more than 10°C compared to alternative packaging solutions, while the exterior remains cool to the touch and comfortable to handle for consumers.
Part of what makes this new packaging innovation such a revelation is how it brings new benefits to multiple parts of the foodservice value chain.
Set to change the foodservice packaging market, kp Infinity® is easily recycled. This instantly eliminates one of the key sticking points of incumbent EPS packaging. To make this clear and actionable for consumers, prominent ‘Recycle Me’ messaging is featured on the packaging – and is made hard to miss.
kp Infinity® has been developed as a like-for-like replacement for foodservice businesses, providing the versatility and insulating performance that end users have come to expect from their traditional EPS packaging. Bringing new additional benefits, kp Infinity® is also microwavable, enabling packed contents to be reheated, and is naturally waterproof. This removes the need for additional coatings or additives, giving the pack excellent stability and preserving food quality.
The innovation makes logistics and handling simple with its durable, lightweight design. Perfect for the diverse needs of today’s foodservice, catering and hospitality industries, kp Infinity® is resistant to common food elements, including hot oils and acids, enhancing food quality and minimising odour transfer.
Incumbent EPS packaging was lauded for its heat insulation properties and preserving the temperature of on-the-go food products. kp Infinity® matches this performance compared to the competition. Extensive testing shows that the kp Infinity® keeps food hotter by more than 10°C compared to alternative packaging solutions, while the exterior remains cool to the touch and comfortable to handle for consumers.
Part of what makes this new packaging innovation such a revelation is how it brings new benefits to multiple parts of the foodservice value chain.
As we transition to a more sustainable world, kp is committed to developing innovative packaging solutions that protect our planet and our food. kp Infinity® epitomises this commitment, stopping plastic waste from polluting our environment and ensuring it's recycled and reused where it matters.
Distributors and wholesalers quickly achieve regulatory compliance – particularly considering the EPS ban. kp Infinity® offers durability, as well as a lightweight, supply chain-friendly packaging format.
Foodservice businesses and operators benefit from convenient stackable packaging, with a premium feel and excellent performance (that more than matches the outgoing EPS packaging format) delivering customer satisfaction.
Consumers access a recyclable, convenient and microwaveable packaging design that’s comfortable to handle and keeps their food purchases hotter for longer.
Finally, recyclers and waste collectors benefit from easily recoverable high-value PP material, putting more plastic feedstock back into the packaging recycling loop.
As we transition to a more sustainable world, kp is committed to developing innovative packaging solutions that protect our planet and our food. kp Infinity® epitomises this commitment, stopping plastic waste from polluting our environment and ensuring it's recycled and reused where it matters.
kp Infinity® isn't just a foodservice packaging solution; it's a testament to our pledge to do more with less. We want to safeguard our planet for generations to come and with kp Infinity®, we're forging a new path forward.
In a changing world, kp Infinity® is packaging with a real future. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.
Foodservice businesses and operators benefit from convenient stackable packaging, with a premium feel and excellent performance (that more than matches the outgoing EPS packaging format) delivering customer satisfaction.
Consumers access a recyclable, convenient and microwaveable packaging design that’s comfortable to handle and keeps their food purchases hotter for longer.
Finally, recyclers and waste collectors benefit from easily recoverable high-value PP material, putting more plastic feedstock back into the packaging recycling loop.
As we transition to a more sustainable world, kp is committed to developing innovative packaging solutions that protect our planet and our food. kp Infinity® epitomises this commitment, stopping plastic waste from polluting our environment and ensuring it's recycled and reused where it matters.
kp Infinity® isn't just a foodservice packaging solution; it's a testament to our pledge to do more with less. We want to safeguard our planet for generations to come and with kp Infinity®, we're forging a new path forward.
In a changing world, kp Infinity® is packaging with a real future. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.
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