Alternatives To Plastic Packaging For Foods

Plastic packaging continues to fall out of favor. That makes food companies and restaurants wonder what alternatives are best for food packaging.

Today’s consumers and businesses are well aware of the impact of plastic packaging wastes on the environment. That is why single-use plastic has come under fire quite recently. The good thing is that companies have been experimenting with new ways to package their food products to reduce the impact of plastics on the planet.

So, what are the options when it comes to finding alternatives to plastic packaging for food products? While the environmental impact of packaging waste is hard to ignore, companies must also remain focused on packaging their food products in the best way possible without paying too much.

In this article, we will discuss some alternatives to plastic packaging for food products.

Bioplastics

The durability of plastic is well-known among brands. That is why some brands may find it hard to select choose between using plastic for food packaging and staying committed to the sustainability cause. The good news is that you can choose bioplastics as the most potent alternative to traditional plastics. These plastics are durable yet biodegradable, allowing you to ensure food safety during transit while remaining less concerned about their impact on the environment. On top of that, bioplastics do not contain harmful additives such as bisphenol A or phthalates.

Glass

Glass is not biodegradable like bioplastics. However, it is infinitely recyclable. Reduced production costs and the ability to protect your food products safe for longer durations are the most salient features of glass packaging. Disposing of it will not result in emissions or any other environmental hazards.

Cardboard

When it comes to food packaging, you may find cardboard as the best choice. Cardboard boxes are preferred by companies that look to reduce the use of plastics for food packaging. The best thing about this material is its compostability. Moreover, you can use its surface to promote your brand because it easily allows for high-quality printing.

Palm leaves

In search of plastic alternatives for food packaging, experts have been able to discover the potential of all-natural resources to benefit the product packaging processes. You may have heard the application of palm leaves in soap packaging. Some companies are using these leaves for food packaging as well. Since palm leaves are a natural waste product of palm trees, they are biodegradable. On top of that, they do release any toxins, keeping your food product safe.

Bagasse

You may not have considered using bagasse for packaging your food products, but the fact of the matter is that this material offers a lot of benefits when used in the product packaging process. Because it is a natural byproduct of sugarcane, it remains incredibly efficient. Due to its malleability and natural stickiness, bagasse can be a viable alternative to polystyrene, which is used for food insulation. That means you can use bagasse to keep your foods fresh for longer durations. The top benefit of bagasse is that it is compostable and biodegradable.