1. Metal Packaging: Solution to Food
Waste and World Hunger ?
- by reducing post-harvest waste in
developing regions
Neil Cormack Robson MA, P.Eng., F.Inst. Pkg.
President, International Packaging Consultants
Ottawa, Canada
October 2007
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2. Food distribution in developing
regions - this picture says it all
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3. In this presentation it is contended that
the entire Packaging Sector is under attack:
Many states now require, or are proposing, deposits
on all types of beverage packaging
Consumers in Europe are duped into thinking that
recycling charges ensure material recycling
Some jurisdictions now restrict all packaging
considered non-recyclable
There are proposals worldwide to ban or reduce
use of plastics in packaging
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4. Packaging is often a Scapegoat
• Governments use packaging initiatives to meet public
demand for environmental action, while gaining revenue
from waste material sales and reduced waste collection
services.
• Such measures are justified by negative publicity that
discredits the entire packaging industry and ignores its
essential role in product distribution.
• The packaging sector could prove its worth by concrete
contributions to third world hunger alleviation – and thus
gain the moral high-ground it rightly deserves
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5. The Two Views of Waste
In the industrialized world In developing countries
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6. 6

7. Food Distribution around the World
Industrialized Countries Less Developed Countries
High packaging waste Low packaging waste
Low food waste High food waste
Low food-borne disease High food-borne disease
Long distribution distances Only local distribution
Season independent Season dependent
Convenient preparation Prepare from scratch
Low preparation waste High preparation waste
Balanced diet possible Balanced diet difficult
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8. Societal Evolution of Food Packaging
Food Availability Customer Attractions
Scarce Customer will buy any available food
Generally available Better product quality attracts some
customers
Quality food abundant Provision of convenience packaging
Food oversupply Graphics emphasis on brands, quality
Extreme consumerism Appeals to lifestyles & fantasies
Package becomes
entertainment
Package becomes the product
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9. Packaging cures for
food shortage and
waste
– a long-standing
WPO proposal.
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10. Relevant Food Packaging
Features for Developing Regions
1 - Pack must suit foodstuff’s physical form:
• mobile fluid • viscous fluid
• paste • solid/fluid mixture
• cream • powder
• discreet items • granules
• high density • irregular shape solid
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11. Relevant Food Packaging Features
for Developing Regions
2 - Pack has to be compatible with foodstuff that
may be:
• volatile • sticky
• corrosive • fragile
• flammable • easily marked
• pressurized • perishable
• aseptic - sterile • susceptible to odour
• odorous transfer
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12. Distribution Hazards for Foodstuffs
Conditions or Events that can cause Food Wastage
Effect: Foodstuff types affected:
heat/cold temperature sensitive
shock fragile, compressible
vibration brittle, fragile
compression compressible
oxygen oxygen-susceptible.
moisture moisture sensitive
loss of sterility bacteriologically-sensitive
incompatibility chemically active
biological activity perishable
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13. Desirable Features of Metal Packaging for
Food Distribution in Developing Regions
• Steel can: - durable, heat-sterilizable, recyclable
• Steel drum: - durable, reusable
• Alu. can: - durable, pressure-holding, recyclable
• Extruded aluminum tube: - durable, collapsible
• Alu, foil dish/tray: - lightweight, recyclable
• Metal/fibre composite can: - durable
• Alu. foil/paper/plastic pack: - lightweight,compact
• Alu. foil/plastic pouch: - lightweight, compact,
heat sterilizable
(only main positive features are recorded above; drawbacks
may be advantages for competing pack systems) 13

14. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Kyrgyzstan
• In-can retort-
processed fruit and
vegetable
conserves,
Kyrgyzstan
• Paper labeled, 3 piece
soldered 500 grm
tinplate can
• Same can for apple,
apricot, peach, pear,
tomato, etc., purees
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15. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Tajikistan
• PP/Alu.foil/PE
laminate stock for
tomato paste,
Tajikistan
• Stand-up pouch
(Doypack) format
• Printed stock supplied
from Dubai
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16. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Brazil
• 3-piece,welded and
beaded, necked-in
can for condensed
milk, Brazil
• Wrap-round paper
label
• Brazilian Government
D.A.certified and bar-
coded for export
• Graphics imply a
Dutch dairy
connection
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17. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Thailand
• 3-piece welded, litho-
printed necked-in can
for coconut water,
Thailand
• Easy-open alu.
makers’ end, steel
canners’ end,
• Jamaican company
sourcing from Siam !
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18. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Egypt
• 3-piece welded, litho
printed cans, easy
-open alu. Ends, for
fruit juices (mango,
guava etc,), Egypt
• Nutrition information
and bar-code for
export
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19. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Iran
• 2-piece deep-drawn,
overall litho-printed can
for tuna, Iran
• Tinplate end requires
opener
• Texts in Farsi, Arabic and
English for mid-east
markets
• Illegible batch code over-
printed; no mention of
’serving suggestion’
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20. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Morocco
• Drawn alu. can,
unprinted, with easy-
open end, for
sardines, Morocco
• Paperboard carton
provides protection
and graphics
• ‘Maroc’ national brand
logo featured
prominently
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21. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Tunisia
• Lined, flexo-printed
alu. tube for harissa
tomato/pimento paste,
Tunisia
• Injection-molded PE
screw cap
• Paperboard
protective/display
carton with same
graphics
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22. Example of Metal Packaging from
Developing Countries - Dubai
• Foil-lined fibre can,
tinplate packers’ end,
alu. easy-open
maker’s end, for
chips, Dubai.
• HACCP certified, bar-
coded and nutrient
information for export
• PE overcap
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23. Principal Features required to expand Metal
Packaging’s Role in reducing Food Waste
and alleviating Hunger
• Converted pack materials easily, quickly and
economically delivered to packing stations;
• Reliable, low-cost pack/product sterilization,
filling and hermetic sealing processes;
• Resistance to harsh distribution and storage
conditions;
• Adequate (at least one year) shelf life;
• Easy, low-cost pack material recovery and
recycling to ensure sustainability
• Minimal decoration !
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24. Saving the world through
better packaging!
A Great Opportunity for
Canners and Canmakers
Prepared by Neil Cormack Robson, President,
International Packaging Consultants
Illustrations pp 2-9 courtesy Kenneth S. Marsh,
Executive Director, Woodstock Institute for
Science in Service to Humanity 24