Food Waste vs Packaging Waste

Waste has been a topic of focus in the packaging industry for several years. Many companies are looking for packaging solutions that are less wasteful and have a more positive impact on the environment.

But what does it mean to be less wasteful? When it comes to food packaging, this could mean reducing food waste or packaging waste.

It may not always be possible to achieve these two goals at the same time. While packaging waste is still an incredibly important issue that needs to be addressed, there is no doubt that food waste is causing more of a burden on the environment.

More than one-third of the total food produced globally is not consumed and goes to waste. The environmental impact from this is enormous, with excess nutrients from land entering the water and changing its composition and pH, affecting the oxygen levels, which causes an imbalance in the marine ecosystem.

It's not the full solution, but packaging can play a role in reducing food waste by doing the following:

• Integrating relevant barrier properties to extend product shelf life.
• Including convenient features, such as resealable closures to preserve freshness.
• Creating smaller packaging sizes or utilizing single-serve packaging.

Find out more in our recent article on packaging solutions to prevent food waste here.

Also, designing your products with the end in mind could mean reducing waste by creating recyclable or compostable flexible packaging. These structures support a circular economy for when future recycle systems can accommodate them.

To find out more, you can get in touch with one of our experts via our online contact form or request a quote online here.