Scottish Sea Farms has received the M&S Innovation Award for its work to reduce polystyrene, which is widely used for transporting fresh fish and other produce.
As Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) farmed salmon supplier, Scottish Sea Farms has been working with the U.K. retailer to reduce the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging. While EPS has lightweight insulating properties which preserve temperature and quality, as a single-use packaging solution with limited options for recycling, it’s not without an environmental footprint.
A study commissioned by the salmon producer and undertaken by the Caledonian Environment Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University found that replacing EPS boxes with returnable and reusable bulk bins would not only eliminate more plastic, but it would also significantly reduce the carbon used: from production, processing and transport, through to washing and recycling.
Following trials to research, test and identify the best model, along with significant investment in new equipment and processes, Scottish Sea Farms first introduced bulk bins to M&S deliveries in June 2017. To date, over 780,000 polystyrene boxes have been replaced as a result, saving an estimated 4,100 metric tons (MT) of CO2.
“Ensuring that we’re operating in the most ethical and environmentally responsible way is a key objective both for Scottish Sea Farms and for M&S with its industry-leading [sustainability program] Plan A,” Donald Buchanan, processing manager at Scottish Sea Farms, said. “This latest collaboration takes us another step forward in our drive to reduce the use of plastics in our activities and has been made possible thanks to the support and cooperation of the entire supply chain.”
Scottish Sea Farms is also exploring new eco-friendly packaging solutions for its export customers, along with diverting potential waste into valuable by-products; for example, by capturing and re-using omega-rich blood in animal feed and selling viscera for use in agricultural fertilizer.
“We are committed to producing food as sustainably as possible, so it is heartening to hear about a project like the one launched by Scottish Sea Farms to move away from EPS packaging and reduce their carbon footprint," Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries at M&S, said. “The business has remained committed to their initial idea over several years and invested significantly into the project. All of this hard work has now paid off and they have successfully established a new way to transport harvested fish in a far more environmentally friendly way.”
