What is the future of sustainable packaging in food manufacturing?

Natural resources are not unlimited by any means, so are those in food industries directly or indirectly. Ultimate goal for sustainable food packaging is to utilize natural raw material prudently and efficiently as well in a way that they're not going to destroy ecosystem. Circular economy of such material is need of time and shall work collectively by all stakeholders

What we have found is that in the food domain packaging keeps products safe and damage-free, and while it also ensures a long shelf life, many types of packaging have a detrimental environmental impact. Therefor the development of sustainable and safe alternatives is necessary for each specific situation. In addition to rethinking the materials and the design of the packaging, we also consider the recycling and composting options, as well as the technology for extending the foods’ shelf life.

Understanding the packaging's lifecycle is critical to achieving more sustainable outcomes. One design I've recently worked on was focused on how to utilize the packaging as part of the product being offered vs simply as a vessel for selling the product. To that end, I believe there are considerable opportunities to adjust our thinking around packaging use cases to create more sustainable impact.

Apparently, packaging protects and offer easy distribution of food stuff. However, it’s high time we began investigating the impacts of food packaging on consumer’s healthy and the environment. The ecosystem is at threats of indiscriminate plastic and Canned packagings. Enforcement of degradable packaging technologies. Consumer awareness of the threats of packaging materials should be championed. Prices of plastic and canned food products do not reflect the negative externalities while the producers make super profit. Plastic packaging levy or higher import duty be excised on consignment in plastic packagings. Households should be rewarded to reuse ?? such packaging materials. Recycling is inevitable and we’ve to change our life style too.

It's important to understand that the challenges outlined above are present whether a manufacturer is seeking more sustainable outcomes or not. As the global push for more sustainable systems continues, this may become the norm vs being novel. First moved advantage plays a role here for forward thinking companies. The R+D involved is heavy but can lead to expanded opportunities, new product lines, even selling said packaging to competitors. Balancing markets, ethics, and regulations will always be challenging. Seeking specific impacts however, becomes a means to drive focus, deliver upon those commitments, and even get ahead of said regulations at times.

Together with the food industry, packaging producers and waste collectors, we are guiding the packaging designs toward sustainability through research on the following topics: ? Sustainable packaging made from new, bio-based raw materials as an alternative to plastic (or other fossil fuel-based) packaging materials, but with the same functional properties. ? Packaging that can be optimally recycled or composted due to its design and material. ? The design of smarter logistics chains, reducing the need for packaging materials while minimising food loss. ? Developing sustainable, energy-efficient technologies that extend the shelf life of products, to reduce food waste.