Takeout food places and stores that sell food are causing a big problem with too much waste from their packaging. Almost half of all the plastic made in the world is used to wrap food and drinks.
Retailers and eateries must improve rather than deteriorate the situation. These companies that make sustainable food packaging can help make a positive change.
Why Does Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Become a Necessity?
Every day, a huge amount of single-use containers and plastic items are thrown away worldwide. Even though these materials are handy, they harm the environment a lot. We recently checked out common packaging materials like glass, paper, metal, and plastic.
While plastic is affordable and handy, it's not friendly to the environment. Glass and metal have harmful stuff in them, and paper uses a lot of energy to make and can't be easily recycled once it touches food. That's why we need better, eco-friendly packaging options.
This could make the global sustainable food packaging market worth around a quarter of USD$1 trillion by 2026. If more companies opt for these environmentally friendly food packaging options, it could have a significant impact.
Now, let's examine some of these excellent sustainable materials for food packaging more closely.
1. Glass Containers
Glass is a great pick for food storage. It's really strong and won't easily break. It is super easy to clean and reuse. When you thrash these bottles, it wouldn’t disturb the environment. You can recycle it easily and use it again without it getting worse. People often use it for drinks, sauces, and condiments. Glass is a fantastic option for both the environment and ensuring your food stays safe.
2. Kraft Paper
Kraft Paper, also called brown paper, is a super eco-friendly way to wrap food. The name "Kraft" is a German word which means strength and effectiveness. This paper is both compostable and recyclable, which benefits the environment and allows for repeated use. They're like a green choice for packaging your food.
3. Plant-based Materials
Plant-based packaging materials come from plants like corn, maize, and sugarcane, which is pretty cool. This paper is produced from responsibly grown trees that are readily recyclable. It's eco-friendly and biodegradable, but here's the key: it decomposes faster when placed in a compost pile.
These materials are cost-effective to produce and have positive environmental impacts. That's why many companies choose them for various food products. Plant-based packaging is a green and smart choice!
4. Biodegradable Plastic-like Packaging
While many food packages can be used again or recycled, only a handful can actually break down naturally. Some of these come from sugarcane leftovers, which is pretty neat. They can even go in the microwave and are 100% earth-friendly, which is a big win for the environment.
But remember, you need a special place like a commercial composting facility to help them break down properly. These materials can slowly break down, and they're better for the environment than regular plastics. You often see them used for things like disposable cutlery and straws.
5. Metal Packaging
You can often see metal packaging in both fizzy and non-fizzy drinks. It's actually one of the best eco-friendly and recyclable packaging options around. Aluminum and steel are the main metals used, especially for canned food and drinks. When we recycle these metals, we save a lot of energy and resources.
To make new aluminum from scraps, we only need 5% of the energy used for new aluminum. That means we save 95% of the energy when we use recycled aluminum instead of new stuff. And when it comes to steel, recycling can save enough energy to power over 18 million homes for a year. Recycling metal is a super way to help the environment.
6. Recycled Cardboard Packaging
Natural materials and cardboard are really kind to the environment. They are often used again to make things like cereal boxes and frozen food boxes. Corrugated boards are one of the most recycled materials worldwide. These are made from stuff that can be used again, like old cardboard boxes and newspapers.
Most of the time, they utilize partial, and sometimes 100% recycled materials. They are also free of artificial coloring and bleach, making them eco-friendly and reusable.
Let’s highlight some pros and cons of sustainable packaging for your food storage.
Why Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Is Good
Sustainable packaging for food is a smart choice for many reasons:
Helps Our Planet: It's good for the Earth. Using less stuff and energy means a healthier planet.
Saves Money: Due to less use of packaging material, it reduces waste and saves good money. People are happy to pay a bit more for eco-friendly packaging.
Makes Companies Look Good: Businesses that use eco-friendly packaging look better because people like companies that care about the environment.
Follow the Rules: There are rules about packaging in many places. Eco-friendly packaging helps businesses follow these rules.
Keeps Food Fresh: Some eco-friendly packaging can make food last longer, so there's less food waste and people save money.
People Like It: More and more people want products with eco-friendly packaging. So, businesses using it can get more customers.
Saves Resources: It's part of a bigger idea to use resources wisely. This means using things again and again instead of throwing them away.
Also Read: Packaging for the Planet: 2023's Top Sustainability Trends
Challenges and Considerations
Sustainable packaging is always favorable in many aspects, but few things you should consider:
Choosing the Right Material: Selecting the best sustainable packaging materials is the hardest task to do. You need to find out factors that suit best for your product, price and the environment.
Educate Public: Majority of the people should know the benefits of eco-friendly packaging and ways to use and recycle it.
Prices: Eco-friendly packaging might initially cost more than conventional packaging, but over time, it saves money.
Supply Chain Impact: Eco-friendly packaging can change how things are stored and delivered because the materials are different.
Rules and Laws: There are different rules about packaging in different places. Businesses need to know them and follow them.
Also Read: Recyclable Packaging 101- Expert Tips for Sustainable Packaging Design
The Bottom Line
Eco-friendly food packaging is super important for our future. By selecting goods with environmentally friendly packaging, consumers may contribute. Businesses may contribute by utilizing sustainable food packaging from beginning to end.
We keep making less trash for getting better in sustainability, saving resources, for the sake of a greener planet. Always try to ensure a greener earth with eco-friendly packaging.
