2007:04 Hantering av förpackat livsmedelsavfall - Avfall Sverige

Abstract
Handling of packaged food waste
In order to take care of nutrients and energy in packaged food waste, a separation between product
and packaging is necessary. This project is an effort to investigate how much packaged food waste is
generated yearly in Sweden, and what possibilities are presently available for taking care of this type of
waste. Waste production from industry to retail trade has been investigated. A small survey of the international
experiences was also made.
The results show that it is very difficult to quantify the waste amounts, partly due to lack of data. Several
equipments for separation of food from its packaging are functioning well in Sweden today. However,
an estimate of the waste production indicates that there is more, about twice as much, waste generated
today than is actually subject to some kind of separation treatment. The kind of package and the
character of the food both influence the emptying process. Items such as milk cartons and plastic
wrappings are comparatively easy to handle, whereas handling of glass jars and metal tins is difficult
and could benefit from technology improvements.
Many manufacturers of equipment, such as sieves, mills etc are found in Germany, but apart from
that, not much is done in this area in the rest of Europe, or elsewhere. In short, we are very much on
our own and the hope is faint to find ready-made solutions for import.
Key words: packaging, food waste, biological treatment, separation