With so much attention on the environmental demands of packaging materials, it is easy to lose sight of the environmental benefits these materials can bring. Take the case of sterilized food preserved without refrigeration for long periods thanks to the high barrier properties of an aluminium foil container or foil laminate pouch. Such a pack enables the transportation and storage of valuable food resources in a minimum of space and with a minimum of additional weight due to packing. Also, thanks to the metal’s very good thermal conductivity, the energy used to heat the food contained in the pack is minimized – a further saving.
Another example: Food can be processed in a foil container, shaped by it, carried in it, delivered, displayed, carried home, baked or re-heated in it – all without any need for the contents to be removed from the one container. The resulting savings of energy and materials are considerable.
Where economies facilitated by a packaging material such as aluminium are obvious, it makes sense to use such a material, particularly when the potential for recovery and recycling is so strong.
