At the end of every tomato harvest, there is a residual flow of organic waste – some 85 million kg of tomato plants which would normally go straight into composting. A new technique now makes it possible to convert the leaves and stems into a valuable pulp that can be combined with recycled paper fibres to produce solid board.
Utilizing tomato fibres makes it possible to conserve energy and wood, while giving the tomato stems a second life as cardboard means they can be recycled again and again. Consequently, tomato fibres stay in the production chain longer, and reliance on virgin wood fibres is reduced. To illustrate: one hectare of tomato plants can be used to produce BioBased packaging for some 600,000 kg tomatoes.
Biological packaging as the new standard
Naturelle, the sales division of organic products and a fully-owned subsidiary of The Greenery, has recently begun using the BioBased packaging as its standard packaging for products including tomatoes. Organic labels mean added value to more and more consumers, with organic vegetables and fruit filling the growing demand for leading healthy and sustainable lives. Together with growers, retailers and consumers, we are working towards a healthy future.
"One hectare of tomato plants can be used to produce BioBased packaging for some 600,000 kg tomatoes."
Aad van DijkSenior Product Manager
Availability bio-based packaging
Value chain
Fruit and vegetables are valuable in every link