An Overview of Enhancing Polyolefin Recycling in Food Packaging: Navigating New EU Regulations and Design for Recycling

The new packaging regulations mandate that all food packaging material must include at least 10% recycled polymer by 2030. As a large portion of food packaging is composed of polyolefins (POs), it is essential to understand the requirements for using PO in food packaging and the actions required to enhance its recycling. Although POs have inferior barrier properties compared to many other polymers, their low weight, low water vapor permeability, and resistance to oils have made them a preferred choice for many food packaging applications, ranging from fresh produce to dairy products. Recent studies suggest that PO mono-material packaging could serve as an alternative to conventional multi-material packaging with an appropriate packaging design. Therefore, new packaging design and utilization of the regulations and guidelines can help with efficient recycling of PO. This current article gives an overview of the properties and processing methods of various PO grades, their applications in food packaging, and the current EU regulations on PO recycling. In addition, the article also detailed the actions required for increased recycling of PO.