Sparked by environmental concerns about plastics and plastic waste, progressive businesses are taking action and looking for more sustainable, packaging solutions for take away meals and cook at home options. In recent times, we have seen a revolt against single-use products, especially plastic. Across media and social media there are countless programs, videos and posts demonstrating the results of waste mismanagement – marine and bird life filled with micro-plastics, whole islands of rubbish floating in the ocean, entire beaches covered with trash. It’s clear for all to see that things need to change.
Foil packaging protects food against light and air and also preserves the food quality. Furthermore, due to it’s production and the high temperature annealing process, it is completely sterile so is safe for use in contact with foodstuffs. Foil does not harbour or promote the growth of bacteria so it’s perfect for food, cooked or raw. Foil trays can be transferred from one state, such as frozen, to fully heated without the need to transfer the contents – even for microwaves. And no other container offers better heat conductivity.
The Foil Movement
Foil trays and containers are lightweight which makes them more efficient to transport and easier to handle and store. Foil is also economical to transport for recycling. When it comes to transport, less weight equals less cost, and less environmental impact.
Local Manufacturing Comes to the force
When you’re looking for a reliable solution, again foil might be the answer. Confoil foil trays are strong and durable and thanks to local manufacturing, supply is no problem. “Confoil is a family owned and operated business. We have sustained over 50 years of local production, ensuring our products are of a high-quality and meet all required safety standards. Local manufacturing reduces the ‘food miles’ of our products, further reducing their environmental impact,” explains Alison Buxton, Chief Executive Officer. Confoil is a business truly dedicated to reducing their impact and have installed over 2,000 solar panels on it’s manufacturing site rooftops to power production. This has reduced CO2 emissions by over 525 tonne – the same as taking 114 cars off the road each year.
The Circular Economy of Foil
As we work towards a circular economy with goals of zero waste and lower impact, we need to be looking to products that can be designed and manufactured to reduce raw material use and be reused or recycled after use, rather than be sent to landfill. Design and manufacture play a big part in the circular economy equation. And ease of recyclability is also important. A locally produced, humble foil tray may be the perfect answer!
Foil, it’s Pretty Amazing Stuff
Foil containers are at the heart of our what we do. Over 70% of what we produce, market and sell are foil containers for various uses and a variety of customers, including both wrinklewall and smoothwall options. We source and convert over 3,500 tonnes of foil each year to manufacture our high-quality packaging containers and associated foil products. Foil containers, first invented for TV dinners in 1952, offer many functional benefits for food packaging and storage – aluminium foil itself has been manufactured for over 100 years!
Recyclable, Renewable & Reliable!
Design & Performance
Foil trays can be used for hot or cold food applications, can be frozen, are ovenable and microwavable!
• Foil containers can come in an infinite amount of shapes, sizes and formats to suit a wide variety of food preparation and food display options
• Foil stands up to all temperature variations encountered in the processing and use of packaging – from well below blast-freezing to the extremes of baking and grilling without distorting, melting or the risk of sudden cracking
Premium Appearance
• The shine, sheen and tactile nature of foil trays can add a sophisticated look to premium food products
• It’s suitability to a wide range of printing processes allows for custom messaging and logos and lends itself to creating eye catching shelf appeal.
Sealability
• Foil containers offer “best in class: sealing reliability over a number of other packaging formats across a range of lidding materials
• Sealed containers provide a high level of tamper evidence, with a range of sealing solutions available, depending on your needs
Hygiene
• Foil containers and trays offer a total barrier to light, gases and moisture and is one of the principal reasons it is used in the packaging of both food and beverages
• It is safe for use in contact with foodstuffs and it does not harbour or promote the growth of bacteria
• Uncoated aluminium foil will not react with the vast majority of foods, thus maintain the integrity of food appearance and helps promote longer shelf life.
