Elliott’s new compostable fruit pads help reduce waste

October 23, 2024 Editor

A recently launched recyclable and compostable pad aims to help berry producers and their customers minimise food waste and lower carbon emissions.

Elliott Absorbent Products is launching the ‘ECHO’ fruit pad that not only extends the shelf life of berries by up to 12 hours but can also be recycled or composted by the consumer.

The new ECHO pads, are 100% plastic-free and utilise the Tensei second harvest technology. They are made from sustainable straw crop residues, including seeds, skins, and fibre crops after processing, along with perennial grasses and annual fibre crops.

In the UK alone, over 5.3 billion fruit pads end up in landfills each year, which is enough waste to cover almost half a million tennis courts.

Matt Hankins, managing director of Elliott Absorbent Products, said: “The new pads are a great opportunity for berry growers to extend shelf-life and cut food and packaging waste. By switching to ECHO and utilising crop waste, we can replace 1,280 metric tonnes of plastic or tree-sourced fibre every year”.

The pads are designed with an embossed surface that cushions the fruit and minimises spoilage, and reduces product loss and waste as confirmed by three independent tests with fruit desks and growers. With 100% surface absorbency for fungal water droplets, the pads hold approximately 500ml distilled water per square metre with no need for perforations.

The ECHO product is available in pads and rolls in black-blue, allowing for ease of IR recycling recognition. The pads and rolls are cushioned and are made from pure cellulose, ensuring they are 100% plastic-free. They are certified to EU standard UNI 11743:2019, supported by CPI and accepted in UK recycling systems.

As well as making use of a valuable waste product, the development of the ECHO pads has created a potential new source of income for farmers. This innovative approach not only addresses packaging waste but also helps address food waste.

Figures from a 2018 DEFRA report illustrate the size of the opportunity, with 24% of baled straw, 2.87 million tonnes, being unused crop waste. UK households discard approximately 6.4 million tonnes of edible food each year – while globally, food waste accounts for at least 8% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Anabelle Filer, CEO of Tensei, said: “Second Harvest technology enables us to replace traditional plastic pads used for fruit packaging with fibres from agricultural waste. This innovation promotes economic freedom, creates a significant reduction in environmental impact and end-of-life issues, allowing farmers to earn more, providing brands with valuable new options, and giving future generations hope for a more sustainable future.”

This launch is part of Elliott Absorbent Products’ extensive product line aimed at reducing waste, including the UNIDRY OA meat pads which were launched in March. The ECHO pads will be launched at Fruit Logistica in Berlin on 5-7th October. For more information or to order sample pads, visit: https://elliottabsorbents.co.uk/food/echo-absorbent-fruit-pads/