3 Ways the Right Packaging Can Combat Food Waste

World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16th, is dedicated to addressing world hunger, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices. This year, as we reflect on the pressing issues of food waste and environmental sustainability, it's essential to spotlight an often-overlooked hero in the fight against waste: food packaging. Innovative packaging solutions are emerging as powerful tools in reducing food waste and ensuring that every morsel of nourishment reaches those who need it.

The Global Challenge of Food Waste

Food waste is a significant global issue with far-reaching consequences. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. This equates to about 1.3 billion tons of food, with devastating impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Wasted food not only squanders the resources used to produce it—such as water, energy, and labor—but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when it decomposes in landfills. Well said!!!

3 Ways Packaging in Reduces Food Waste

While it might seem counterintuitive, food packaging can play a pivotal role in mitigating food waste. Here’s how the right packaging solutions can make a difference:

1. Extending Shelf Life

Advanced packaging technologies, such as Sealed Air’s vacuum skin packaging system Cryovac? Darfresh? on Tray, delivers a low oxygen pack and extends fresh meat shelf life by twice as long as Modified Atmosphere Packaging formats. This not only reduces the likelihood of food spoiling before it’s consumed but also allows for better management of inventory in retail environments.

2. Ease of Use and Food Safety

With consumers being more budget conscious, and cooking at home more, there’s an increasing demand for food packaging that is convenient to use and prevents contamination during food handling. ?

One of my favourite innovations is Cryovac? Simple Steps? packaging. Its vacuum seal and high barrier protection ?keeps flavours and ingredients at their freshest, and the cook-in format makes it ever so convenient! Steam heating and self-venting technologies provide convenience to consumer through no-prep, easy-open package with stay-cool handles. Without the need for food transfer to other containers, Simple Steps make mealtime easy and less wasteful.

3. Improving Yield

Packaging can also play a crucial role in allowing more of the food item to be used, which is especially challenging when working with condiments. Sealed Air’s Cryovac Flexprep Portion Dispensing pouches are designed to reduce prep time and provides up to 98% yield, a significant improvement vs rigid container. Moreover, the pack is lightweight and reduces packaging by 80%. It’s an excellent innovation for our food service sectors.

The Path Forward

World Food Day serves as a reminder of the global challenge of food waste and the need for effective solutions. While packaging might not be the first thing that comes to mind in this fight, its impact is undeniable. Investing in and supporting innovative packaging solutions can help extend the freshness of food, provide valuable information, and reduce waste, all while contributing to a more sustainable food system.

Speak to our packaging and sustainability experts to discuss how we might collaborate to make our world a better place together.