Tips on Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

It’s time for a fresh start with a new attitude towards green food packaging. Indeed, global warming has been the talk of the last half-century, yet no proper interventions have been done.

There’s now a rollover to green packaging, but what’s not to be neglected is the difficulty of this transition. You need beneficial green packaging, which means knowing what you are in the market for.

Below, we will discuss the materials for food packaging, how to choose the packaging, and the considerations in play.

Understanding Sustainable Packaging

Packaging is one of the biggest and most important aspects of the food and beverage industry. This is why the food and beverage industry uses the highest amount of plastic. As a result, it is time that the industry tries to look for eco-friendly food packaging.

What is eco-friendly food packaging? Sustainable packaging is a specialized form of packaging that aims to reduce food wastage and have a lower environmental impact.

Why do You Need it?

The climate is changing rapidly and without any prior warning. In a matter of a few years, global warming would end up being a more severe issue. As a result, human beings need to understand the importance of sustainability.

Every year, around 100 tonnes of food get wasted all across the globe. This is an alarming figure and needs to be looked at effectively immediately. This is why sustainable, or eco-friendly food packaging is the need of the hour.

This form of packaging can solve the problem of food wastage and even reduce the overall carbon footprint of humans. However, we need to remember that plastic usage can only be reduced and not banned in any way.

Advantages of Sustainable Packaging

Eco-friendly food packing is the solution and the future. But it is a deterring agent. It is not the solution. Still, it comes with a lot of benefits.

If we are on the topic, let us take a moment and look at some of the primary advantages of sustainable packaging that you must understand before investing:

• Eco-friendly food packaging generates lower carbon emissions.
• Lower amounts of packaging waste materials make it to landfills.
• Sustainable food packaging comes in various sizes and shapes. Hence, they are versatile in nature.
• Sustainable food packaging is easy to dispose of and recycle.

Things to Consider When Getting an Eco-friendly Food Packaging Bag

Overview:

1. The packaging solution should be tailored to your needs
2. Don’t forgo quality
3. Sustainability is key
4. Aesthetics

1. The Packaging Solution Should be Tailored to Your Needs

The first thing to remember is to choose an eco-friendly food packaging bag designed specifically for your product.

2. Don’t Forgo Quality

The new products may not be as effective as the previous ones when switching to sustainable options. So, check what other users say about the packaging before buying it.  

3. Sustainability is key

The claim that packaging bags are environmentally friendly is widely used. Before settling down for the packaging, you should research what is happening extensively. Note that packaging brands claim sustainability, yet they pose an environmental hazard.

4. Aesthetics

Packages that entice consumers create an awareness of products they might otherwise overlook. You need to consider design and customization, color, and logo.

Components of Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

Eco-friendly food packaging is usually made from compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials. Microbes will break down compostable packaging without releasing toxins.

On the other hand, biodegradable components can be broken down by anaerobic bacteria and fungi. Lastly, recyclable packaging can be reproduced and used repeatedly.

But your recycling facility must be able to do the recycling and ensure they won’t contaminate the packaged food.

Overview:

1. Plastic food packaging
2. Cardboard
3. Styrofoam food packaging
4. Glass
5. Aluminum

1. Plastic Food Packaging

Plastic packaging is more popular than ever before, even though there are several reasons why we should all abandon it. Irrespective of the side you support, plastic is versatile and available in various grades. It is an economical packaging option for your food products.

The suitable plastic can help seal a product and hold oils and dressings without breaking down or leaching chemicals into your food.

For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging is a relatively safe and highly recyclable plastic widely used in plastic beverages, food, and oil containers. And it gets better when you round up a manufacturer such as QQ Studio. Their biodegradable packaging bags will serve you with the convenience of zippers, custom designs, and various applications.

2. Cardboard

Cardboard sheets are punched and formed into boxes and other structural shapes, while flat sheets can be printed, laminated, and cut to produce corrugated paperboard. Despite being inexpensive, they are highly susceptible to moisture damage.

In addition, sharp objects like knives can easily cause damage. But, eliminating those issues with packing peanuts or foam sheeting will make it more appealing to customers.

They are also excellent for packing fast food like burgers and pizzas. As for cardboard, you may dispose of or recycle it depending on convenience.

3. Styrofoam Food Packaging

Styrofoam is not biodegradable, yet the recycling procedure is even more expensive. Besides being lightweight, they are known to maintain stable temperatures of food for a long time when compared to plastics. Thus, they are convenient for fast food. But with the expenses involved, they could need up in landfills.

4. Glass

Choosing glass for food packaging ensures food safety because glass is non-reactive. It is also impermeable, making it suitable for beverages and other liquid food products.

You can choose glass as your eco-friendly packaging solution to offer potential buyers better visibility. Since glass is not biodegradable, it will need to be recycled. The only disadvantage is the breakages involved.

5. Aluminum

Aluminum is the material of choice when packaging liquids like soup, juice, and water. It is because it’s light, easy to work with, and helps keep your product fresher for longer, as aluminum containers protect food from decomposition, air, and microorganisms.

Food stored in an aluminum canister retains its fresh flavor, so this packaging material keeps it safe and appealing. Yet the packaging is slightly expensive like the other products mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

So now you know the types of eco-friendly food packaging in the current market and the tips you can use to get the right product.

What remains is you are keen not to choose the right product for the wrong purpose.

Additionals:

• How to Design Impressive Food Packaging for Business?
• 5 Essential Packaging Supplies for Protecting Items During Transport
• Looking to Optimize Your Packaging and Cut Shipping Costs? Read This!