As consumers, we all want the products we buy to be fresh, free from contaminants and safe to consume. Packaging plays an invaluable role in meeting these goals by securing, preserving, and protecting products, helping to maintain their quality and ensuring they reach their destination in optimal condition.
Given the variety of food packaging types available ranging from plastic to glass, products like food can be transported, stored and presented in different ways. However, due to growing environmental concerns, many businesses are beginning to explore sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging materials. In this article, we will explore the benefits these sustainable alternatives can offer businesses and the environment.
Compostable Packaging
This form of packaging is made from natural materials that are broken down into organic matter. This can greatly help reduce packaging waste and reduce reliance on non-biodegradable materials like plastic which can take between 20 and 500 years to decompose.
Examples of compostable packaging materials a business may choose include cellulose, bagasse, mushroom, bamboo and cornstarch. Not only are these materials biodegradable but as they decompose they release nutrients to soil and plants, acting as a natural fertilizer and enriching the earth.
Recyclable Packaging
Businesses that use packaging materials that can be recycled and reused are helping to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease the amount of waste that ends up at landfill sites.
By promoting a circular economy, they are helping to conserve resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions and harmful particulates that would otherwise result from manufacturing and transporting new materials.
Waste Reduction
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), containers and packaging materials amounted to 82.2 million tons of municipal solid waste in the U.S. in 2018. Promoting the use of biodegradable and recyclable packaging can help businesses contribute to national waste reduction efforts.
Less Pollution
Non-biodegradable packaging waste such as plastic not only pollutes the land as it sits in landfill sites for years, leaching harmful chemicals into the soil but is also a threat to marine life. In the oceans, marine plastic pollution causes death and injury to fish, seabirds and mammals.
According to Clean Water Action, this has impacted at least 267 species globally, including the majority of sea turtle species, and almost half of seabird and marine mammal species. Sustainable alternatives can greatly reduce the world’s reliance on packaging which contributes to litter and pollution to the environment.
Better for Environment
The extraction of raw materials such as timber, minerals and metals is required to make many packaging materials. This depletes the Earth’s natural resources and causes disruption and harm to local ecosystems. In addition, the process of manufacturing packaging materials like glass, metals and plastic is energy-intensive and is typically derived from the burning of fossil fuels. This leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change.
As consumers and policy-makers continue to drive efforts toward a more sustainable way of doing business, adopting measures like sustainable packaging can not only boost your business’ reputation and brand image but also help it meet regulatory requirements and contribute to a healthier and happier environment.
