Spain’s Technological Plastic Institute AIMPLAS has developed a compostable netting for fruit and vegetables.
Unlike convention plastic packaging, this netting can be thrown directly into compost without separating it from fruits inside.
AIMPLAS head researcher Chelo Escrig said: “Development comes from the necessity created by the number of products packaged in netting like potatoes and onions.
“When they’ve reached their shelf life, it has been difficult to separate the netting and recycle it. Due to the netting’s structure, in the shredding system, it would get caught in the machines.”
The material has the same strength, resistance and weight as conventional plastic netting.
Currently, the material is in the licensing phase and is not yet available for production.
