Sustainable packaging for a cleaner future
In the last decade, the packaging industry has grown due to changes in substrate choice and new markets. The use of packaging has especially increased in the food sector to meet customer convenience. But this system poses significant challenges for the planet.
Changing the way food is distributed or packaged can make a significant contribution to the necessary efforts towards carbon neutrality.
In this article, we take a look at how the drive toward sustainability in packaging must go beyond the quick wins.
🥤Our planet is choking on plastic
Today, more than 40% of the plastic industry is dedicated to rigid and flexible plastic packaging, which is more than cardboard/paper packaging that represents 37% of the industry.
In Europe, 23 million tons of plastic packaging are produced each year, and this number is expected to reach 92 million tons by 2050. This trend would be disastrous for the environment, considering that 40% of this waste is thrown into landfills every year.
Plastic production is a major contributor to global warming: 40% of the world’s plastic production is dedicated to packaging.
Changing the way we produce and use food packaging would be a huge step towards significantly reducing plastic waste worldwide. Plastic packaging represents the biggest sector opportunity to help solving through sustainable solutions.
🔍 What is the future of packaging?
The most plastic polluting companies are FMCG and these companies plan to have 100% of their packaging recyclable and reusable by 2025–2030.
However, this will not be enough.
There’s simply not enough recycled plastic available to meet the commitments that have been made by not only just P&G, but our peers and industry,” P&G VP of Global Sustainability Jack McAneny.
Besides, 91% of plastic waste is still today either landfilled, incinerated or mismanaged. Only a small fraction of plastic is recycled, while the rest is either dumped in nature and often ends up in the oceans, or is incinerated, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
We must find solutions proposing the production of biodegradable or compostable packaging. And some of these solutions already exist!
🍄 Mycelium
This vegetative apparatus created by mushrooms develops in a mixture of agricultural waste. There is no need for additives or anything else, when we know that to manufacture one cubic meter of polystyrene it takes 1.5 liters of oil. In contrast, the production of mycelium requires very little energy. Mycelium could be an excellent substitute for the use of polystyrene.
🐚 Seaweed
The fibers and sugars extracted from some algae can be dried and then powdered to be molded and compacted into a material equivalent to plastic. Another technique consists of extracting starch from algae and transforming it into resin and then into granules capable of replacing plastic.
🍏 Plant-based coating
By extracting lipids and glycerolipids from fruits and vegetables, it is possible to prepare a powder that will be diluted in water. Fruits and vegetables can be sprayed directly with this solution. With this solution, they will immediately achieve similar or even better preservation than if they had been wrapped in plastic. The preservative properties of this plant-based coating do not change the taste of the fruits and vegetables and do not alter their properties in any way except for their preservation.
♻️ Main drivers of the transition
In addition to the ecological benefits that sustainable packaging can have, FMCG have a lot to gain by opting for sustainable packaging:
- Today’s customers are increasingly concerned about the origin of the products they consume. The presence or absence of plastic can be a decisive factor in their purchase decisions.
- Adopting responsible packaging can greatly enhance their brand’s image.
- Legislation is evolving towards regulations that will increasingly require companies to drastically reduce their plastic consumption.
Closing thoughts
The use of sustainable packaging in the food sector can be a highly impactful solution for a cleaner world. The primary focus should be on the primary packaging market which contains protects and/or preserves the finished product, particularly against contamination. It is projected to grow by nearly 7% by 2027, reaching a global market size of $150 billion.
Major trends are reshaping packaging solutions — and that could open new opportunities for players that are prepared to move fast.
If you want to create the next big thing in sustainable packaging, then co-found with us! 🚀 BeeFounders’ mission is to partner with talented co-founders to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy: use less, use again, re-use and regenerate.
