Spanish plastics technology centre Aimplas (Valencia; www.aimplas.net) has created its own trademark to certify that reusable food packaging is safe and also retains its properties after repeated washing.

Packaging manufacturing companies that have been awarded the trademark have a competitive edge in terms of transparency and food safety, Aimplas said. The ‘Designed to be Reusable’ trademark is based on three separate European regulations: for food contact materials, plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, and recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. It also follows the dishwasher resistance standard UNE 53928 that was issued in 2020.

Related: Aimplas' Refucoat project develops biodegradable packaging solutions against salmonella

To achieve the trademark, a product must pass different analyses that include dishwasher resistance testing for at least five cycles, a risk assessment for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), as well as tests to guarantee that migration to food does not present a risk to human health. Sensory tests are also carried out to ensure that reusing the packaging does not modify the food’s organoleptic characteristics.

Aimplas said promoting reuse provides many environmental advantages, including reducing waste, using fewer resources and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.