Switching to paper packaging is one solution to the plastic waste problem. For some products that cannot be totally packaged in paper, using a combination of paper and plastic wrapper can slash the volume of plastic waste by half.

Ajinomoto Philippines, the local subsidiary of the Japanese food seasoning company that makes the popular umami flavor, has adopted the hybrid packaging for its popular product to lessen waste accumulation.

Ernie Carlos, Ajinomoto Philippines chief sustainability officer, shared the paper-plastic composite packaging for their monosodium glutamate product during the forum titled “Unwrapping Sustainable Packaging with the Promotion of Circular Design in the Philippines,” held on 13 January in Makati City as part of the Zero Waste Month.

Carlos told businessmen attending the forum that lightweight material for their packaging makes recycling easier.

Based on the company’s website, the new packaging introduced in 2022 would decrease Ajinomoto’s plastic usage by 34 percent or 12 tons per year.

The materials for the packaging also adhere to the sustainability standards of the Forest Stewardship Council, he said.

The new packaging helps the company comply with the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Law, reduce its greenhouse gas emission and meet its net zero plastic waste goal by 2030, according to Carlos.

To fully comply with the EPR law, the Japanese conglomerate is partnering with local waste diverters for gathering and recovering plastic waste of the company.

However, he admits that transitioning to a circular economy is still a huge challenge because of the need for a common recycling facility.

“The challenge continues as we look for more mono-material structures with high-barrier properties, especially for food products,” Carlos said, emphasizing the importance of plastics on food safety.