Have you noticed the increase in calls for more sustainable packaging solutions from consumers and businesses across the food industry?
For some, new legislation has propelled them to seek more sustainable packaging options. For others, the increased demand from consumers for biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable packaging convinced them.
Whatever the reason for the switch, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to sustainable food packaging.
So, to make it easier to decide which is best for your business, let's review some of the best sustainable packaging choices and their advantages and disadvantages.
Today, we’ll cover the following sustainable packaging substrates: kraft paperboard, bagasse, PLA bioplastic, and seaweed.
First up is kraft paperboard packaging, a material made from post-industrial material, post-consumer material, or renewable sources like virgin wood pulp.
It’s both recyclable and compostable.
Kraft paperboard is used for all types of food packaging, from cups and bowls to plates and containers.
Kraft food packaging is the most affordable option in this video. Not only is it less expensive than traditional plastic packaging, but it weighs less, making it cheaper to ship.
Its biggest downside as a food packaging material is its poor grease and water resistance. When wet, kraft paperboard loses much of its strength. As a result, it’s best used with food products that aren’t wet or greasy.
Next, let’s look at bagasse.
Bagasse, a natural byproduct of plants like wheat and silver grass, is a plentiful and renewable resource that gets naturally produced when extracting juices from plant byproducts, mostly sugarcane.
It’s both biodegradable and compostable.
Bagasse is made into virtually any style of food package, like plates, bowls, and clamshell-type containers.
Bagasse is microwave and freezer-safe. It’s even considered oven-safe up to 400F.
Food packaging made with bagasse may be more expensive than traditional plastic containers upfront, but there’s an argument that it's more cost-effective in the long run. That's because bagasse is durable and versatile, eliminating the need for other packaging options.
There are two main downsides to bagasse containers.
The first: hot foods and liquids can diminish the container's strength over time, so it may not be great for long-term storage of hot foods.
The second: some facilities use chemical additives while processing the plant pulp to increase its durability, and these chemicals can sometimes leach when in contact with hot food.
Up next we’ve got polylactic acid bioplastic, better known as PLA bioplastic.
PLA bioplastic is great because it can be as strong as plastic while using around 60% less energy and greenhouse gasses to produce.
It’s available in a variety of cold application containers, such as salad bowls and deli containers, and is biodegradable, compostable, and 100% bio-sourced.
The market price of PLA bioplastic is constantly shifting, but it's traditionally more expensive than other plastics.
Like some plastics, PLA bioplastic has poor temperature tolerance, making it a poor choice for hot foods and storage in high-temperature areas.
Additionally, PLA bioplastic has high permeability compared to other plastics. As a result, moisture and oxygen can go through it with more ease. That means food can spoil faster.
Lastly, we’ll be covering seaweed packaging.
Compared to the other entries on this list seaweed packaging is relatively new. It comes in the form of a film or sachet.
Seaweed sachets are most often used to store condiments, sauces, oils, or spices. Depending on whether the sachet is used for dry or wet food products, it can be water-soluble.
Seaweed film is used to wrap food products, like sandwiches. While some seaweed films have very poor heat tolerance, others can be used to hold warm and even greasy foods, like a hamburger.
That being said, it isn't recommended that you put seaweed food packaging in a microwave, oven, or freezer.
Seaweed packaging is biodegradable, compostable, and even edible. It’s made from a highly renewable source and, unlike most agricultural products, farming seaweed doesn’t displace any land.
Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle to seaweed packaging is its cost. Part of the production process has to be done manually, which raises the costs of making seaweed food packaging.
Because it can be so costly, there have been difficulties with scaling production. As a result, seaweed is yet to find its place among the giants of sustainable food packaging.
I hope you found this video helpful. If you’re still unsure about which sustainable food packaging is the right choice for your business, consider reaching out to one of our food service experts. At Imperial Dade, our experts have the experience and industry knowledge to help you make the right decisions for your business.
Reach out today to set up a free consultation.
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