Sinclair and Zespri have partnered to launch a compostable fruit label that meets compostability standards, certified by TUV AUSTRIA, ABA, and DIN CERTCO. The label, known as the Sinclair-T55, is designed to break down without leaving harmful residues, offering, the companies say, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic stickers used in fresh produce packaging.
The Sinclair-T55 label offers a minimal packaging solution that can be composted at home with organic waste. It matches the durability of traditional self-adhesive fruit labels, ensuring reliable automated application and secure adhesion to fruits and vegetables, while providing key product information like origin, variety, PLU, and barcodes.
Colin Woodward, CEO of Sinclair, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce the highest-performing compostable fruit sticker certified by TUV AUSTRIA, ABA, and DIN CERTCO as a finished product. This is a unique achievement and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the fresh produce industry with environmentally conscious solutions."
Zespri’s CEO, Jason Te Brake, added, "Our collaboration with Sinclair reflects our focus on sustainability. We aim to transition all our fruit labels to this compostable version within the next year, aligning with our efforts to reduce plastic waste across our global supply chain."
Sinclair and Zespri’s compostable fruit label is part of a broader movement towards sustainable packaging, with both companies working to reduce environmental impact and meet consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.
Earlier this year, Zespri rolled out the Fruit Pillbox, a recycled cardboard packaging concept, inspired by the use of traditional pillboxes, in a bid to increase daily kiwifruit consumption.
