60 tonnes of black plastic prevented by British bacon brand
Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton visited leading Devon-based bacon producer Denhay’s factory on Thursday 27 June to learn more about the local company’s new sustainable initiative.
Denhay has switched its products’ packaging to fully recyclable clear trays made from 25% recycled plastic - removing black plastic from any Denhay retail packs of bacon which will avoid an estimated 60 tonnes of non-recyclable waste from going to landfill.
A clear new vision
Denhay’s new easy-peel packaging is both consumer and environmentally-friendly, as the clear plastic tray can be recycled by most waste management facilities across the UK through local authority recycling schemes.
The packaging is designed to have a fresh and contemporary look for mass shelf appeal as Denhay’s new Wiltshire Cure Thick Cut Smoked Back Bacon hit selected Waitrose this May. The high-quality bacon has the royal seal of approval; Denhay is the official Bacon Curer to HRH The Prince of Wales and has been since 2008. The recyclable packaging was rolled out across Denhay’s premium bacon range this Spring.
Leading the industry
Meat products such as bacon must be packed in plastic to ensure they meet food safety standards, however black plastic has been identified as particularly harmful by environmental organisations, as the method used to colour the material means it can’t be recognised by the sorting systems operating in most recycling plants.
Denhay is the first major bacon brand in the UK to have eliminated the use of black plastic product packaging, aiming to bring the company in line with ambitious targets set by WRAP’s Plastic Pact.
MP Neil Parish commented: “I’m particularly impressed with the quality of Denhay bacon and the factory operation here. It’s fantastic to see a Honiton brand advocate traceability and welfare both on a local and national level, both key topics driving the food and drink industry. The work Denhay is doing in terms of sustainability is also fantastic, it’s something I’m passionate about and am delighted to see being pioneered locally and talked about on a national stage.”
Jim Loescher, Managing Director of Denhay said: “We’re delighted that our work and ethos have been received so well by Neil. The South West has a long-standing and respected food heritage and we’re proud to be recognised as pioneers. Our environmental efforts and commitment to reducing the amount of black plastic we use is central to our ethos. We have listened to our customers and the wider food industry and I am thrilled to launch our new clear plastic tray, that is not only widely recyclable but also produced from 25% recycled plastic. Being the first major bacon brand on the market to launch this is a great achievement for our business.”
Denhay’s new Wiltshire Cure Thick Cut Smoked Back Bacon is available in selected Waitrose stores.
