Lightweight and Compostable Packaging for the Military
WP-201218
Objective
The environmental problem of solid waste generation by the U.S. Army is being addressed in this project. The amount of solid fiberboard packaging waste generated per Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) case is 2.31 lb and based on the procurement of 3.4 million MRE cases, approximately 4000 tons of MRE packaging waste is generated every year. This coupled with rising disposal costs and hazards encountered with open pit burning has dramatically increased the need to investigate alternative materials and designs for combat ration fiberboard packaging applications. An optimized structure and design, selected through SERDP project WP-1479, has been integrated with industry based mature developments in the area of wax replacement coated papers for fiberboard packaging.
The objective of this project is to reduce the amount of fiberboard packaging waste from military rations by 20% and validate the performance of commercially manufactured, environmentally friendly, coated fiberboard containers.
Technology Description
Fiberboard containers from innovative coatings of paper and corrugated structures have been developed to replace the existing MRE packaging. The technology described in this project is using a treated paper that exposes the fibers to a wet strength material, and is further coated with an aqueous-based coating and then formed into corrugated fiberboard containers. The coatings that are bonded to the fiberboard medium and liners give the desired properties and performance needed for challenging military applicability. This technology utilizes water-resistant coatings that promote and support biodegradation, repulping, composting, and recycling as viable means of disposal. These coated structures provide a significant improvement in compression properties, which is essential for the shelf life of military rations that are exposed to a variety of extreme environmental conditions.
These MRE fiberboard containers will undergo the full spectrum of development in that they will be produced commercially, packaged with MRE rations and assembled into pallets of MRE cases. The packaging will then undergo a wide range of testing to fully demonstrate and validate the packaging for future military use. These tests include MRE emission analysis, assembly trials, rough handling, distribution trials, environmental testing, and field studies.
Benefits
These novel coated containers are expected to meet the operational and performance requirements of combat ration shelf life and ultimately replace the existing combat ration secondary packaging systems. Through incorporation of the coated corrugated containers into MRE packaging, it is estimated that the amount of solid waste generated can be substantially reduced by 20% by reducing the amount of fibers within the new container. In addition, the fiberboard packaging is entirely repulpable or recyclable, unlike the existing container which has been classified as nonrepulpable by industry standards. Incorporating novel coatings and effective design solutions and providing enhanced end-of-life disposal capabilities will also serve to minimize negative environmental impacts of military rations. The optimized structure will improve protection during transport, storage, and operational use; decrease overall packaging waste; and enhance recyclability making it simpler for military personnel to dispose of. Further, it will also improve overall sustainability by removing harmful chemicals from this secondary package. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jo Ann Ratto
U.S. Army Natick Soldier RD&E Center (NSRDEC)
Phone: 508-233-5315
Fax: 508-233-5363
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.