The Role of Functional Plastics in the Meat Industry Packaging

The Australian red meat Industry relies on the convenience and functionality of plastic packaging to deliver its product to consumers both domestically and internationally. Red meat packaging plays an important functional role in food safety, operational serviceability, product integrity, and shelf-life extension, extending well beyond the desire for simply visual and appealing packs.

There are many packaging applications and material substrates identified within the Red Meat supply chain from processor to retailer. Plastic packaging has clear benefits in terms of maintaining product integrity yet continues to face challenges with its end-of-life management. Focusing on the implementation of environmental design principles, challenges traditional packaging applications and requires a collaborative approach towards sustainability.

As new circular and sustainable packaging alternatives emerge, Australia’s red meat packaging industry needs to phase out problematic plastics, replace non-recyclable plastics with recyclable materials and increase the use of recycled resins.

Whether the design change is for volumetric plastic waste reduction or the purpose of supporting curb side collection and recycling methods, it requires continued investment in research and development to identify innovative solutions that align with both environmental objectives and industry standards.

Product Stewardship enables collaboration across the packaging supply chain to contribute ideas and feedback in the maintenance of product integrity, shelf life and food safety and to ensure Australian producers, processors and value adders are satisfying domestic and international packaging regulatory requirements. Engaging stakeholders along the value chain, from producers and manufacturers to brands and retailers, fosters innovation and circularity, ensuring a more sustainable future for Australian red meat production and packaging.

Alicia Waddington
Project Manager – Market Access & Supply Chain Innovations
Meat & Livestock Australia