What Is Plant-Based Packaging?
Plant-based packaging is made from naturally renewable materials derived from plants. It’s completely organic, as opposed to many forms of traditional packaging like plastics, and can take many forms. As countless countries turn their back on single-use plastics — including England, Scotland, Germany, Canada and India, to name just a few — the world needs more suitable and sustainable packaging alternatives. This is where plant-based could revolutionise the way packaging is perceived, from being a burden on the environment to something that could actually benefit the planet
Plant-Based Packaging for Food Service
Packaging made from plants has endless applications, but it’s particularly useful in the food service industry. That’s because food packaging is often spoiled by moisture, oil, grease, fat or anything else that comes from the products it contains, from burgers and pizzas to desserts and ice cream. This leaves customers in a predicament — how should they responsibly dispose of their packaging waste? The issue is so pervasive that some local councils have banned fast food packaging from their recycling bins on the count that most food packaging from certain outlets is essentially too spoilt to be processed at their facilities.
The Benefits of Plant-Based Packaging
It has numerous unique qualities that make it superior to many forms of synthetic packaging currently available; the advantages of using naturally sustainable packaging are undeniable.
1. Compostable and Biodegradable
Plant-based packaging breaks down quickly under the right conditions. Microorganisms feed on decaying organic matter, reducing it to nothing while benefiting the environment. The entire process takes between three and six months.
2. Sustainable
Since plant-based packaging is made from natural materials, it can be produced indefinitely, at least in theory. There isn’t a finite reserve of the resources required to create plant-based materials, whereas it’s expected we’ll run out of fossil fuels in our lifetime, forcing everyone to adopt sustainability by default eventually.
3. Less Resource
Intensive Than Plastic Synthetic packaging materials like plastic are derived from fossil fuels. That means a lot of refining and processing is involved in the production process, all of which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. On the other hand, plant-based packaging can be produced at minimal cost to the environment, both in terms of the raw materials required, the processing involved and the net pollution.
4. Functional and Practical
At peak times, we know how important it is that your food packaging performs under pressure. You never want your cups, boxes, bags or trays to get in the way of speedy service, which is why our plant-based packaging has many practical uses.
5. Aesthetically Pleasing
Looks count for a lot. While aesthetics aren’t the be-all and end-all, food tastes better when it looks appealing, and packaging plays a role in making your takeaway dishes look delicious.
