Cling film and sustainability: Reducing food waste in professional kitchens
Cling film is the unsung hero of the successful kitchen.
Cling film is a product that is deeply embedded in the supply chain at multiple levels, helping to preserve and protect products, separate potential contaminants, and supporting kitchen staff as they strive to work quickly and efficiently.
While it is often overlooked, most kitchens will make heavy use of cling film - day in, day out. That means using the right cling film is critical to the success of any catering operation, enabling staff to quickly wrap ingredients and minimise waste. On the other hand, choosing the wrong film can have a major knock-on effect on kitchen speed, efficiency, hygiene and sustainability.
While it is often overlooked, most kitchens will make heavy use of cling film - day in, day out. That means using the right cling film is critical to the success of any catering operation, enabling staff to quickly wrap ingredients and minimise waste. On the other hand, choosing the wrong film can have a major knock-on effect on kitchen speed, efficiency, hygiene and sustainability.
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Cling film and sustainability
While the unnecessary use of plastic is a problem for our environment, in the catering industry some plastic use is absolutely essential. In fact, it has a key part to play in reducing the impact of a far more serious environmental problem – food waste.
The OECD estimates that plastics contribute to 3.4% of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout their lifecycle. According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), food waste is responsible for 8-10% of global GHG emissions, and almost a third of all food produced is wasted. To illustrate the scale of this problem, studies have directly compared the carbon cost of food and plastic when both are sent to landfill, proving that every 1kg of food waste produces the same carbon footprint as 25,000 (500 ml) plastic bottles.
The OECD estimates that plastics contribute to 3.4% of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout their lifecycle. According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), food waste is responsible for 8-10% of global GHG emissions, and almost a third of all food produced is wasted. To illustrate the scale of this problem, studies have directly compared the carbon cost of food and plastic when both are sent to landfill, proving that every 1kg of food waste produces the same carbon footprint as 25,000 (500 ml) plastic bottles.
So, while the elimination of plastic materials - however essential - might sound appealing to business owners under increasing pressure to cut their carbon footprints, removing key products like cling film would create far more problems than it would solve. It requires a much more nuanced approach, supported by materials experts like kp.
Our ability to address the problems of both food and plastics waste depends on seemingly small individual decisions – like using the right kind of cling film – that can add up to have a big impact. At kp, we support foodservice workers and businesses around the world with products that balance sustainability with performance, empowering staff to do their bit for the planet, without compromising on quality or safety in the kitchen.
Our ability to address the problems of both food and plastics waste depends on seemingly small individual decisions – like using the right kind of cling film – that can add up to have a big impact. At kp, we support foodservice workers and businesses around the world with products that balance sustainability with performance, empowering staff to do their bit for the planet, without compromising on quality or safety in the kitchen.
It is made using the thinnest possible gauge of material, ensuring it keeps plastic use to a minimum, while still offering maximum protection for food and ingredients.
kp FlexiStretch® PVC
This premium stretch overwrap film is a versatile game-changer. Compliant with existing EU, food contact safety, traceability and good manufacturing regulations*, it can be used with or without a dispenser, offering reliably high performance with every application. As a PVC product, it offers the best possible food protection properties – ideal for sensitive, highly perishable, or easily-contaminated ingredients such as raw chicken, fish and fresh produce.
It is designed with the needs of busy catering staff in mind, offering easy cutting, best-in-class stretching and clinging properties, and crystal-clear transparency. During busy periods like the festive season, these easy-handling films can shave vital seconds off every order, without compromising on quality - helping to ensure kitchens run smoothly even during peak times.
Despite its incredible durability, it is made using the thinnest possible gauge of material, ensuring it keeps plastic use to a minimum, while still offering maximum protection for food and ingredients.
It is designed with the needs of busy catering staff in mind, offering easy cutting, best-in-class stretching and clinging properties, and crystal-clear transparency. During busy periods like the festive season, these easy-handling films can shave vital seconds off every order, without compromising on quality - helping to ensure kitchens run smoothly even during peak times.
Despite its incredible durability, it is made using the thinnest possible gauge of material, ensuring it keeps plastic use to a minimum, while still offering maximum protection for food and ingredients.
kp FlexiStretch® PO is a high-performance range of films with many options certified as recyclable by Interzero for existing recycling infrastructures.
kp FlexiStretch® PO
PVC is still an essential material used by kitchen workers every day. However, alternatives do exist for those looking to adopt a recyclable alternative, while still retaining a level of performance they can rely on.
kp FlexiStretch® PO is a high-performance range of films with many options certified as recyclable by Interzero for existing recycling infrastructures.
With ongoing improvements in the recycling of soft plastics, and high levels of investment promised in recycling infrastructure in the UK and EU over the coming years, kp offers a future-proofed option for businesses looking for a more sustainable wrapping solution.
Available in a number of gauges, kp FlexiStretch® PO was developed alongside food packers to ensure it delivers the kind of unwinding, stretchability and memory qualities that are needed to help busy kitchens run smoothly.
kp FlexiStretch® PO is a high-performance range of films with many options certified as recyclable by Interzero for existing recycling infrastructures.
With ongoing improvements in the recycling of soft plastics, and high levels of investment promised in recycling infrastructure in the UK and EU over the coming years, kp offers a future-proofed option for businesses looking for a more sustainable wrapping solution.
Available in a number of gauges, kp FlexiStretch® PO was developed alongside food packers to ensure it delivers the kind of unwinding, stretchability and memory qualities that are needed to help busy kitchens run smoothly.
Keeping kitchens running sustainably
In every kitchen, the smallest details make the biggest difference. Every choice matters.
Thanks to the kp FlexiStretch® range, businesses no longer have to choose between performance and responsibility. If a business needs the proven protection and excellent performance of PVC or the recyclability of PO, kp offers a wrap for every kitchen – helping keep food fresher for longer, enabling employees to work efficiently, and supporting employers as they work towards their sustainability goals.
To learn more about our range of food wrapping solutions, get in touch with your local kp experts today.
Thanks to the kp FlexiStretch® range, businesses no longer have to choose between performance and responsibility. If a business needs the proven protection and excellent performance of PVC or the recyclability of PO, kp offers a wrap for every kitchen – helping keep food fresher for longer, enabling employees to work efficiently, and supporting employers as they work towards their sustainability goals.
To learn more about our range of food wrapping solutions, get in touch with your local kp experts today.
*It complies with:
- Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 – on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, ensuring materials do not endanger human health. EUR-Lex link
- Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 which sets strict migration limits for plastics. EUR-Lex link
- Regulation (EU) 2025/351 of February 2025, tightening purity and traceability requirements.
- Additionally, we follow guidance from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) addressing concerns around PVC additives. ECHA site
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