Sustainability and Packaging Machinery

The 'sustainability in packaging' debate (which I interpret as 'waste reduction') needs to go deeper than just retail end products. For example, how many levels of packaging are made and thrown away before a food item gets to a store shelf? For food, the least amount of package waste is when a consumer brings a canvas bag to a farm stand, and buys produce where it's grown or made. The most amount of package waste occurs when multiple ingredients are produced in multiple facilities located in various places around the world, such as ready-to-eat or fast food meals. One solution for the latter scenario is centralized production facilities where (for example) the frozen pizza company is located in close proximity to farms where beef cattle are raised and processed, dairy cows are milked and cheese is made, grain is grown and milled, tomatoes are grown, etc. Of course, that involves re-thinking and re-creating the entire cycle of production, including the type of packaging machinery that is likely to be needed in order for a less wasteful world economy to evolve. (If that's our ultimate goal ...)

If sustainability = waste reduction, then is any secondary or tertiary packaging component sustainable?

I agree with guest, its the number of times the product is repackaged and/or process

As former OEM manufacturer for the food and dairy. cheese for instance can be repackaged and processes a number of times. (640 lb blocks, to 40 lbs, to 20lbs, back to 500 barrels) depends what is available on the market, and the processors requirements. each time it being repackaged, it may also be reprocessed. adding ingredients and changing product, texture, taste, visual autistics (color....) ect.... The amount of repackaging can be quite alot.

I am surprised that kind of information was printed. The companies you mentioned is quite protective of its plans.

(Then again, it is quite a problem for everyones bottom line)