Ciclo Verde Taeq closed-loop system that brings recycled materials into production of new paper packaging for Brazil-based Pão de Açúcar's Taeq products honored by DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, Sustainability and Waste Reduction

Sandy Yang

WILMINGTON, Delaware , May 11, 2012 (press release) – Industry Intelligence Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from a Dupont press release issued on May 10, 2012.

Innovative vacuum-packaging that reduces food waste by keeping meat looking and staying fresh longer took top honors in DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. Retail packaging that boosts shelf appeal, a robust packaging recycling project and modular industrial packaging that cuts waste and cost captured gold honors.

Several leading brands – Heinz, Kraft, Pepperidge Farm, Cadbury and Unilever – also took home diamond, gold or silver awards in the 24th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, the industry's longest-running, global, independently judged celebration of innovation and collaboration throughout the value chain.

The 2012 diamond winner exemplifies the role packaging plays in helping to feed a growing population around the world.

“FreshCase® packaging technology for meat, selected by the Jurors as this year's diamond winner, addresses the important effort to help ensure food maintains its nutritional value and freshness,” said William J. Harvey, president of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “In the face of a growing population with limited resources, food waste from spoilage must be greatly reduced, and innovative packaging solutions will play a critical role in that story.”

An expert panel evaluated 200 entries from 21 countries and awarded one diamond winner, five gold winners and 10 silver winners based on "excellence" in one, two or all three categories: Innovation, Sustainability and Cost/Waste Reduction.



Ciclo Verde Taeq® – White Tea by Grupo Pão de Açúcar; Papirus – Brazil

Ciclo Verde Taeq® is a closed-loop system that brings recycled materials into the production of high-value products instead of being used to make lower value articles and enables societal benefits. Ciclo Verde Taeq® begins with the collection of recyclable materials at Grupo Pão de Açúcar stores, and all the materials are donated to cooperatives made up of more than 660 low-income families in Brazil. After sorting the materials, the cooperatives sell the cellulosic material to Papirus, a paperboard manufacturer, who sells its material to be used to produce new packaging for Taeq products. Since 2010, more than 600 tons of cellulosic material has been collected and used for Taeq packaging. This recycling system diverts materials from landfills, conserves natural resources, enables consumers to do their part for the environment and generates earnings for the low-income families.

Honored for Excellence in Sustainability and Waste Reduction

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