We’re committed to becoming the most sustainable business we can; we’re always striving to reduce our impact on the planet as well as working towards our long-term sustainability goals. Packaging is essential to protect product quality from preparation to delivery. This is the reason we are emphasizing the types of plastics currently on the market. ABARNE wants to emphasize that it is very difficult to source and provide 100% safe alternatives, but that we are constantly looking for the best and safest materials.

As a company, ABARNE wants to shed light upon the difficulties within the recycling management system along with the struggle to make the “right” decision for the environment, our customers and our company. It’s important to make sure that the recycled plastics are correctly sorted, collected and cleaned from impurities.

RECYCLED PLASTIC

Recycling plastic is something the whole world is improving on in order to promote sustainability. However, recycled plastic is not always food safe due to potential risks of cross chemical contamination.  (European Commission, N/A) (Plastic Recycling).

There are ways to clean the materials from the cross contaminants. The European Safety Authority (EFSA) has a guide on which the criteria for a safety assessment is laid out (EFSA Panel, 2024) (Scientific Guidance on the criteria for the evaluation and on the preparation…). The guide is extensive, but might prove to be difficult to follow and for a consumer or company to trace. To be on the safe side, ABARNE is treading lightly in this field to ensure safety for the consumers while keeping up to date on new innovations. We encourage everyone to contact us if you have options or information that we should be aware of.

PLASTIC

ABARNE is still using materials that contain plastics that are considered safe by the EU (like PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP which are generally considered safe for food storage). We use PLA treated takeaway products to decrease our footprint. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polyester that is produced from the fermentation of starches of renewable resources, such as corn, sugarcane and sugar beet. Some of the main properties of PLA is its versatility and its biodegradable nature. PLA is a great alternative but has a shelf life of 6 months when in contact with food products. For products like coffee beans we use a conventional plastic to ensure the quality and safety of the food product since there are no reasonable alternatives available to date.

A common misconception is how PLA plastic can be composted, however, it should be recycled in an industrial composting environment. Another issue regarding the PLA manufacturing is the sustainability aspect of the production of the corn, sugarcane and beets that are needed to produce the material. We use paper emballage as much as possible since its a natural alternative and Sweden is well known for its responsible wood pulp production . We want to continue to support the responsible actors in each industry.

Similar to recycled plastics, recycled paper tends to have more impurities than virgin fibers; the transfer of harmful substances from both virgin and recycled materials should always be evaluated. The contamination of recycled paper happens through printing inks, coatings and chemicals used in the cleaning processes.

There are no dedicated regulations that exist so countries have to base their practices on their national legislations and recommendations. There are guideline documents that all countries can use provided by the European Committee for Food Contact Materials and Articles or the Nordic Council of Ministers – these also draw statements and regulations by EFSA, BfR, and FDA.

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer that belongs to the polyolefin family. PP plastic is known to be durable but lightweight and for properties it is highly resistant to moisture, chemicals and high temperatures. PP plastic is commonly used in packaging, household appliances and automotive parts.

Polyphenylene Ether (PPE), also known as Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO), is a high-quality thermoplastic material that is valued for its great heat and chemical resistance and dimensional stability. PPE plastics maintain dimensional stability which means that it ensures the consistency of the shape and size no matter the conditions.

DANGEROUS CHEMICALS

ABARNE is aware that the market is flooded with materials that are considered harmful for people and the environment. Materials like PFAS, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in food-contact material and packaging should be avoided. There are great options for filtering the water that is used in food preparation as well as coffee and tea brewing.

A large number of PFAS are considered a health risk to humans if exposed to them long-term: carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, specific target organ toxicity are a few of the risks involving this chemical.

PFAS are persistent in nature and can present a high risk in environmental and human health. They should be restricted in food-contact packaging to prevent contact with humans.

It has been concluded that PFAS were found in the majority of the paper and bamboo straws. The most commonly found PFAS were perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), which have been banned globally since 2020 as well as trifluoroacetic acids (TFA) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acids (TFMS) PFAS which are highly water soluble and so might leach out of straws into drinks. ABARNE is therefor using PLA straws until other alternatives are found.

Another quite scary chemical compound is Bisphenol A, it is sometimes used in the manufacturing of materials that come into contact with food. Reusable plastic kitchenware or lining of cans (as a protective layer). Exposure to Bisphenol pose a risk to consumers even at low levels. One is exposed to Bisphenol through the migration of this chemical into food and drinks and our later consumption of them.