Parkside secures Cré accreditation for compostable flexible packaging range

Packaging Solutions

Parkside has secured accreditation from the Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland (Cré) for its innovative paper compostable triplex HCPT1 packaging developed for industrial composting via food waste collections.

Cré certification accredits packaging products to rigorous EU standards and tests them in an Irish industrial composting plant to ensure they are suitable for Irish conditions, climate and infrastructure. The accreditation is in place to provide Irish consumers with confidence that the packaging and products they are purchasing are sustainable and can be placed into existing waste streams.

Paula Birch, global sales director at Parkside, commented: ‘A surging number of countries are phasing out or banning single use plastics altogether, so having certification schemes that confirm a material’s composability to build consumer confidence is paramount. Cré accreditation is an important step forward for Parkside as we extend our customer base in Ireland. It demonstrates our strong focus on packaging solutions that work for brands and shoppers alike.’

To be certified compostable by Cré, suitable biopolymer materials must first be accredited by TUV, the accreditating body for Europe (formerly Vincotte), then undergo stringent testing carried out by the awarding body to EU standards.

‘The Cré accreditation gives our innovative compostable packaging recognition, which has previously been difficult to achieve. Our success in this area means that environmentally aware brand owners, retailers and consumers across Ireland have a choice of high barrier packs that can be disposed of in a composting environment. Innovation sits at the heart of everything we do at Parkside, and our latest accreditation is testament to the hard work of our talented team.’

Following the successful tests, Parkside can now use a Cré logo on its bio based packaging sold in Ireland to help consumers and councils recognise compostable packaging material and dispose of it accordingly.

The compostable packaging forms part of the company’s recently launched sustainability portfolio and is fully home and industrially compostable, breaking down completely within 26 weeks. The packaging is also tested for eco toxicity and various other criteria against EN 13432 regulations.