Sustainable food packaging refers to materials and methods used to packaging food that are environmentally friendly. This includes options that are biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable, to help reduce waste and pollution.
Several companies are leading the way in creating innovative packaging solutions that minimize harm to the planet. These companies focus on using renewable resources instead of traditional plastics. They also prioritize ethical practices, ensuring their products are safe for consumers and the environment.
As consumers, you can help support a healthier planet and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing brands that use pr create sustainable packaging and positively impact the world.
Criteria for Selecting Sustainable Packaging
Today, there’s a growing demand for sustainable packaging. More than 70% of younger consumers choose products based on their sustainable food packaging.
Identifying food packaging companies that are truly sustainable can be challenging, but you can look for several factors and resources to evaluate their sustainability claims.
- Material composition: Packaging should break down naturally in the environment or composting facilities without leaving harmful residues. Look for packaging made from post-consumer recycled materials, which helps reduce the demand for virgin resources.
- Certifications: Check for eco-labels or certifications, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Cradle to Cradle. You can also search for packaging that meets compostability standards.
- Production process: Consider companies that try to minimize the amount of water they use during manufacturing. Evaluate whether they use energy-efficient processes, renewable energy sources, and strategies to reduce waste.
- Transparency: Companies should provide clear information about their supply chain practices and materials sourcing.
- Innovation: Organizations committed to sustainability often invest in research and development to create new, eco-friendly packaging solutions. Packaging should use less material, encourage reuse, or be designed for easy recycling.
- Community engagement: Some brands educate consumers about proper disposal and recycling practices to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability beyond their products. Those involved in community programs or partnerships aimed at sustainability are often more committed to their mission and values.
Spotlight on Leading Sustainable Food Packaging Companies
From innovative materials to cutting-edge recycling technologies, these sustainable food packaging companies are taking the lead in setting new standards, minimizing waste and enhancing the quality and appeal of food packaging products.
Danaher
Danaher is a global life sciences and diagnostics innovation company. They’re committed to accelerating the power of science and technology to improve human health. One of their fundamentals is building a sustainable future.
Danaher’s Cytiva office in New Zealand launched the Innovation Accelerator Program in 2020 to address sustainability challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. The goal evolved into a global initiative to replace all polystyrene packaging, which falls within the company’s larger goal to reduce landfill waste by 15%.
Why Danaher is a leader:
- Innovative materials: The organization has developed a new packaging solution that replaces traditional polystyrene with liners primarily made from paper and corn starch.
- Sustainability focus: The new packaging is designed to be recyclable, promote a circular economy, and reduce landfill waste.
- Environmental impact reduction: Once fully deployed, their new packaging solution is expected to eliminate approximately 60,000 polystyrene boxes annually, equating to the volume of 71 ocean shipping containers.
Good Start Packaging
Good Start Packaging sells compostable take-out containers with a mission to inspire people to be more conscious about their use of disposable plastic.
Here are the company’s key innovations and strengths:
- Sustainable product sourcing: Good Start Packaging sources only certified sustainable packaging made from renewable materials like plant fiber, bamboo, and corn. Their products have been rigorously tested to ensure quality and effectiveness.
- Compostability: They design products to decompose into soil within two to four months, promoting a circular economy and reducing landfill waste.
- B Corp certification: The organization is a certified B Corporation, demonstrating its commitment to social and environmental responsibility by balancing profit with purpose.
Eco-pliant
As a full-service supply company, Eco-pliant serves various businesses with sustainable packaging and eco-friendly supplies, including those in the food service, hospitality, and distribution industries.
Eco-pliant positions itself as a comprehensive digital warehouse for sustainable products, excelling in several areas:
- Durable and affordable products: Their eco-friendly food packaging is designed to withstand weight, heat, and moisture, ensuring reliability while remaining budget-friendly for many businesses.
- Community engagement: Using Eco-pliant’s sustainable packaging, businesses can actively contribute to environmental protection and keep waste out of landfills.
- Active environmental involvement: The team engages with environmental non-profits and collaborates with organizations that share their mission of promoting a cleaner planet.
Good Natured
The company specializes in creating bio-based packaging solutions, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. Good Natured’s values include courage, unconventionality, energy, and purpose in its endeavors.
Here are their key innovative areas:
- Bio-based product development: Good Natured has extensive experience designing and manufacturing bio-based products that focus on renewable materials, reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
- Focus on better ingredients: Their products are made from commercially viable bioplastics that are plant-based and free from harmful additives, ensuring a reduced environmental footprint.
- Smart design solutions: The company emphasizes innovative design to minimize waste and enhance product appeal by offering customization options tailored to specific customer needs.
Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak has established itself as one of the leaders in sustainable packaging through several innovations and commitments:
- Aseptic packaging solutions: Tetra Pak’s innovative aseptic packaging extends the shelf life of food products without the need for preservatives or refrigeration, ensuring food safety and availability.
- Renewable materials: The company prioritizes renewable materials in its packaging, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Recyclability focus: They design packaging with recyclability in mind and continually invest in technologies that enhance the recycling of their products to promote a circular economy.
Choose Sustainable Food Packaging
To continue supporting food quality, safety, and environmental health, it’s important to make informed choices and support brands that prioritize sustainability in their packaging efforts. Sustainable packaging reduces exposure to harmful chemicals found in traditional plastics, helping lower our environmental impact and providing healthier food options.
As sustainability becomes a significant trend in the food industry, remain eager to learn more about the latest developments and recognize leading sustainable packaging companies.