PLASTIC PACKAGING TURKEY
Country implements pro-packaging measures / Prevention of loss and waste of fresh produce during transportation
 Turkey is banning transport of fresh produce without packaging (Photo: WPO) |
Plastic packaging is valuable for keeping perishable food fresh, and the Turkish government is taking steps to recognise this. According to Turkish packaging manufacturers association Ambalaj Sanayicileri Derneği (ASD, Istanbul; www.ambalaj.org.tr), a communiqué was published in Turkey's official gazette on 3 October 2017 regarding a new regulation setting standards for wholesale and retail trade of fruits and vegetables, which with the order of the Ministry of Customs and Trade becomes effective in 2018.
In accordance with the new regulation, transportation of fruits and vegetables without packaging will not be allowed, and disposable or reusable packaging that meets applicable standards will be required. The measure involves aspects of transportation, storage and packaging of fruits and vegetables, and is for ensuring that fresh produce is "free of any foreign substances" during transport and storage. In addition, cold chain packaging will be used to transport fruits and vegetables.
From 1 June 2018 onward, it will be mandatory to use disposable packaging categorised as wooden, cardboard or cardboard-based. Effective 1 January 2019, reusable packaging in the form of crates, boxes and baskets made of plastic materials will become mandatory. Consideration was also made for small-scale producers, so that if they sell their produce directly to consumers in a retail market, packaging is not required. The ASD notes that previous reports estimate an annual loss of TRY 15-20 bn (EUR 3-4 bn) before products reach domestic consumers, due to a lack of packaging being used for fruits and vegetables.
Aslihan Arikan, ASD general secretary and VP Education at the World Packaging Organisation (WPO, Naperville, Illinois / USA; www.worldpackaging.org), says the plan is to "place the harvest in bags, plastic crates or cardboard/corrugated cardboard boxes or in similar boxes (transportation packaging) and transport fruits and vegetables in such packaging to towns, cities, etc." She says that this type of packaging for transport has been produced and used for "many years," and the new regulation will help reduce loss and waste as well as contribute to the economy.
In accordance with the new regulation, transportation of fruits and vegetables without packaging will not be allowed, and disposable or reusable packaging that meets applicable standards will be required. The measure involves aspects of transportation, storage and packaging of fruits and vegetables, and is for ensuring that fresh produce is "free of any foreign substances" during transport and storage. In addition, cold chain packaging will be used to transport fruits and vegetables.
From 1 June 2018 onward, it will be mandatory to use disposable packaging categorised as wooden, cardboard or cardboard-based. Effective 1 January 2019, reusable packaging in the form of crates, boxes and baskets made of plastic materials will become mandatory. Consideration was also made for small-scale producers, so that if they sell their produce directly to consumers in a retail market, packaging is not required. The ASD notes that previous reports estimate an annual loss of TRY 15-20 bn (EUR 3-4 bn) before products reach domestic consumers, due to a lack of packaging being used for fruits and vegetables.
Aslihan Arikan, ASD general secretary and VP Education at the World Packaging Organisation (WPO, Naperville, Illinois / USA; www.worldpackaging.org), says the plan is to "place the harvest in bags, plastic crates or cardboard/corrugated cardboard boxes or in similar boxes (transportation packaging) and transport fruits and vegetables in such packaging to towns, cities, etc." She says that this type of packaging for transport has been produced and used for "many years," and the new regulation will help reduce loss and waste as well as contribute to the economy.
07.05.2018 Plasteurope.com [239631-0]
Published on 07.05.2018