Independent McDonald’s franchisee Arcos Dorados Holdings is applying J&J Green Paper’s ‘all-natural’ barrier coating to its paper food packaging in a bid to phase out plastics, PFAS chemicals, and consumer waste in the fast food sector.
Designed to resist grease, water, and oxygen, J&J Green Paper’s JANUS coating is reportedly 100% biodegradable, home-compostable, repulpable, and recyclable. It seeks to replace the standard petroleum-derived polyethylene coating and avoid the health and environmental impacts of single-use plastics and PFAS chemicals.
The coating will be applied to wrap paper, boxes, cups, utensils, K-cups, straws, and other food packaging provided at fast food outlets. The transition has already begun in the primary bags and wrappers for hamburgers.
“By taking action together, no matter how small it may seem, we can achieve a great impact and a sustainable future,” Arcos Dorados stated in its press release. “Every little action contributes.
“That’s why Arcos Dorados Argentina, the largest McDonald’s franchise in the world and which operates the brand in Argentina, began to implement a change in the primary bags and wrappers of hamburgers. The company incorporates the 100% renewably sourced JANUS compound that is biodegradable, compostable, and suitable for recycling.”
Rick Bulman, CEO of J&J Green Paper, continued: “We are pleased to take a leadership role in introducing JANUS technology into the global food and beverage industry with Arcos Dorados and Mc Papers. We see the incorporation of viable green technologies like JANUS into that ecosystem as a pivotal step towards our shared vision of a healthy, sustainable future devoid of toxic materials.
“JANUS technology is the foundation of an emerging ecosystem in the food and beverage industry that replaces petroleum-based materials, plastic, and chemicals, with eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives, to eliminate hazards and improve our quality of life.
“Each day that goes by we learn more about the catastrophic effects of nanoplastics on our health. Our JANUS solution uses what otherwise would be waste to immediately combat the dangers of plastic in paper and food packaging.”
Earlier this year, Kemira and PA Consulting revealed a renewable barrier coating material based on polysaccharide chains. Designed for flexible food packaging, it is said to coincide with existing supply chain infrastructure and aims to meet increasing demand for sustainability-minded packaging solutions.
Since then, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company has applied its MXD6 barrier coating to thermoformed tubes, jars, and bottles produced by Berry Global. The recyclable, EVOH-free barrier resin is thought to extend the shelf life of food products and overcome the issues of degradation, contamination, and other recyclability and reprocessing issues associated with EVOH.
Archroma has also launched a water-based, PFAS-free barrier coating. Apparently, it is recyclable, repulpable, and resists both oil and grease when applied to food or non-food folding box board and flexible paper packaging.
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