Sinclair and Zespri join forces to revolutionise sustainable labelling.
Sinclair, a global leader in fruit labelling technology, and Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, have launched the newest and most innovative compostable fruit label.
This innovative product marks a significant step forward in produce packaging and environmental responsibility.
The home and industrial ‘Finished Products’ certification from TÜV AUSTRIA and the home composting certification from ABA and DIN CERTCO demonstrate that the Sinclair – T55 fruit sticker is safely compostable, breaking down and biodegrading completely without leaving harmful residues in the environment.
“We are thrilled to introduce the highest-performing compostable fruit sticker certified by TÜV AUSTRIA, ABA and DIN CERTCO as a ‘finished product’,” said Colin Woodward, CEO of Sinclair.
“This is a unique achievement, and the industrial and home certification is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and our dedication to supporting the fresh produce industry with environmentally conscious solutions. This compostable label sets a new standard in produce packaging, reducing plastic waste and helping create a more sustainable future.”
The compostable sticker provides a minimal packaging solution that reduces consumer waste compared to other packaging. It can be disposed of in-home compost bins, fruit peels, and other organic waste, simplifying consumer waste management.
With certification for its end-of-life performance, the fruit sticker maintains Sinclair’s high standards for automated, high-speed application in the packinghouse and throughout the supply chain.
The highest-performing compostable label application performance is equivalent to conventional plastic stickers. It provides exceptional conformity to adhere securely to fruits and vegetables, allowing essential product information such as origin, variety, PLU and barcodes to be displayed with branding.
“Our collaboration with Sinclair reflects our commitment to embracing more sustainable practices across our global supply chain,” said Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake.
“Exploring more sustainable fruit label options has been a considerable focus for Zespri over several years, with our labels providing an important assurance to consumers that the fruit they purchase is authentic, safe and high-quality Zespri Kiwifruit. We intend to change all of our fruit to this fully home compostable label with the transition to take place over the next year.”
The certification process involved rigorous testing to ensure the sticker’s compliance with stringent compostability criteria. The TÜV AUSTRIA, ABA, and DIN Calso ERTCO certifications are recognised globally, assuring consumers and retailers that this compostable fruit sticker meets the highest environmental benchmarks.
“We know consumers want to see us make progress towards more environmentally friendly labels. This compostable sticker meets their expectations and supports our sustainability goals by reducing plastic waste. We’re proud to have worked closely with Sinclair on this innovative development,” said Jiunn Shih, Chief Marketing, Innovation & Sustainability Officer at Zespri.
Sinclair and Zespri invite industry partners, retailers, and consumers to embrace this groundbreaking product and join the movement towards environmentally conscious fresh produce labelling.
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