Compleat Food Group has slashed over 100 tonnes of plastic packaging from its supply chain by removing plastic trays from its pork pie packaging.
The initiative, which spans both branded and own-label products, is set to reduce plastic use by 110 tonnes annually.
The group produces an estimated 200 million pork pies each year for retailers and through its portfolio of brands, which includes Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, and Wrights.
The move forms part of the company’s aim to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining food quality and safety.
Following a substantial investment in automation equipment at its Tottle site, the company implemented a new, trayless packaging process, which eliminates 75% of the plastic previously used in high-volume pork pie packs.
Adopting the process will result in a carbon saving of approximately 430 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year, said the Compleat Food Group.
In addition to the trayless packaging initiative, the Compleat Food Group is driving innovation in flexible films, by transitioning to mono-material films for specific product packaging, such as chorizo.
These films can be recycled through supermarket collection points and are expected to be kerbside recyclable from 2027.
“Our move to trayless packaging for pork pies is a prime example of how innovation and investment can drive meaningful sustainability improvements,” said head of ESG at Compleat Food Group, David Moore.
“While the automation required careful consideration of speed and efficiency, the result is a significant reduction in plastic use without compromising on product quality or freshness.”
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