It has long been believed that recycled plastic is too contaminated to be used for packaging food, but new research proves the opposite. A useful finding now that the EU wants to make it compulsory for companies to use some recycled materials for packaging food. The collection of the plastic needs to be customized. 'The best option can vary per region.'
The main reason we hardly recycle any food packaging into new food packaging is that contaminants are absorbed into the plastic from food and the rubbish bin and we do not accept that potential risk, says Ulphard Thoden van Velzen of Wageningen Food & Biobased Research. 'You don't want those substances in the plastic because of their odours and aftertaste, as well as their possible toxicity.'
