Aug. 04, 2025
Packaging & Printing
If you manage a company in the food or retail industry, you have many potential reasons to limit the amount of waste your employees and customers must dispose of. You can save money as you reduce food packaging waste, but you can also appeal to customers by striving for a high standard of sustainability. Keep reading to learn how to reduce food packaging waste and use innovative food packaging to improve your financial goals.
Different types of packaging materials are often layered together or used in combination to preserve the quality and freshness of the contained goods. Some materials are better for promoting sustainability than others. In the past, companies have focused on using the materials with the highest convenience factor and lowest associated costs.
The type of packaging you use for a product might depend upon the sourcing location, consumption timeline and intended use of the packaging itself. These factors and many others contribute to how food is stored or sold. Below are some types of food packaging waste that result from common containment methods:
Paper waste is usually layered to make the packaging stronger and more durable. Paperboard might be used to make bags, product boxes and other items. Although paper packaging is better for the environment than waste that can’t decompose, it is often made with a layer of plastic that causes the paperboard to break down much more slowly.
The metal components of food packaging are often a small part of the leftover materials that end up in landfills. However, some types of packaging are nearly entirely metal with a plastic or paperboard casing to display product information. Empty cans and tins are common types of metal waste.
Plastic is highly flexible in its design capabilities, which is what has made it a popular replacement for earlier methods of glass and porcelain packaging. It is still used to make disposable containers, disposable cutlery, bags, straws, freshness seals, tamper-proof packaging and many more components of food packaging.
Plastic presents several issues with disposal after it extends its usefulness. New types of plastic are recyclable or reusable, keeping this material out of the trash, but customers must complete the recycling process.
Plastic foam is used for disposable food containers and insulated packaging. Because of its insulation property, it can also be used to construct disposable coolers for perishable, temperature-sensitive goods transported over long distances to customers. Plastic foam containers are popular for food items that can be prepared and heated quickly.
Although plastic foam is a useful packaging material, it takes even longer to decompose than other plastic waste — if it decomposes at all. Traditional foam packaging is made of polystyrene, which is made without an eco-friendly manufacturing process and results in hazardous waste in its formation. Plastic foam can also seep into water supplies, unable to break down.
The major concern with single-use packaging designed to be thrown away is that it will remain in landfills for many years. The amount of waste has gradually accumulated to high numbers that have a serious impact on the environment at large. Possible solutions are sustainable packaging that can be reusable, recyclable or compostable, but most food packaging is single-use and makes up a large portion of municipal solid waste.
Packaging waste for food and other products brings harm to these aspects of the environment:
The majority of plastic packaging is unable to decompose as quickly as organic materials and has the potential to sit in landfills for up to 200 years or longer. Packaging with the longest lifespans includes grocery bags, plastic drink bottles and containers, drink holders, plastic wrap, plastic seals, coffee cups with plastic linings and straws.
Food packaging is especially threatening to the marine environment and wildlife because it clogs waterways and accumulates in the oceans. Marine animals often consume discarded plastics or get trapped in them, which is why reducing the amount of food packaging waste could have a significantly positive impact on these animals.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic wastes have been discovered in the stomach contents of over half of all sea birds tested, in all of the turtle species and in about a quarter of fish from seafood markets.
Much of the plastic has settled on the ocean floor, where fish feed on microplastics and are then caught for our consumption. Over a relatively brief period in human history, solid waste has accumulated into large, floating islands made of garbage, and there are now initiatives to clean the oceans aiming to change the way packaging is made and used.
You can reduce your waste in many ways, and each strategy comes with its own benefits. Generally, reducing your food packaging waste is a positive move for companies looking to improve their sales models. Successfully reducing waste from your packaging results in several advantages, including:
If your company is looking for ways to reduce product waste and enhance your sustainability, you can take several actions to put your product packaging closer to achieving this goal. Many of these solutions are more affordable than traditional methods of commercial food packaging. You can limit the amount of food packaging your customers have to dispose of by following these practices:
Limit waste that ends up in landfills by using less packaging materials so your customers will have less to throw away. You can also cut spending on packaging if you carefully limit the materials you contain your products in. Investing in minimalistic packaging has many other benefits, including:
Reusable materials offer another solution for limiting the overall amount of food packaging in circulation. Cardboard boxes and paper products can be converted into new packaging for the same type of products or another packaging purpose. Although recycling plastic is a more difficult process, recyclable plastic packaging has gained popularity in recent years. Everything from recyclable grocery bags to product sleeves can be taken to a plastic recycling facility.
Some of the benefits of using recyclable packaging include:
Following eco-friendly business practices can help reduce waste nearly as much as selecting sustainable product packaging. Employees improperly disposing of food packaging waste and other materials can also have a negative impact. Make your team aware of preferable waste disposal methods so you can continue to adapt as an environmentally conscious company.
Training should include methods for reducing packaging and manufacturing waste because you can make the biggest difference by focusing on both. Train employees in these areas to help your organization the most:
Cardboard is a versatile packaging material used in every facet of the food industry. Investing in a baler can help compress your company’s cardboard waste into a more manageable surface area. Bales of cardboard are easier to recycle with each individual scrap combined.
If your company accumulates a significant amount of cardboard waste from products, daily operations or manufacturing practices, you would benefit from getting a baler because of:
Biodegradable packaging can be composted or disposed of without concern that it will clog up landfills for years. This type of packaging is made from sturdy materials that decompose. The packaging is often a more environmentally friendly variation of older material.
Corn-based plastics break down easily while offering many of the same advantages that made earlier forms of plastic so popular as food packaging materials. Another solution is water-soluble packaging materials that the customer can dispose of. Most biodegradable packaging materials must be taken to commercial composting facilities to continue their lifecycle.
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Reusable packaging is also called returnable transport packaging (RTP). These containers are more durable than disposable alternatives and can be used at least twice. Many forms of reusable packaging can be used multiple times.
If your product packaging is reusable instead of disposable, customers will have more opportunities to use it again without taking steps toward a recycling process. Reusable food packaging can be as simple as branded bags that you ask customers to buy with their purchases to reuse when returning for more products. Reusable product packaging is often slightly more expensive to produce than disposable items, but the expense depends on the materials used.
Many traditional forms of packaging have the potential to be reused when customers know how to repurpose these items. Other examples of RTP include:
Sustainable raw materials are another possible replacement for older methods of packaging. Packaging made from these materials can be as durable as other options like plastic and is often of a higher quality. When using raw materials, you can get innovative in your product presentation and inspire your customers to enjoy the packaging almost as much as the goods that come in them.
Raw materials that can benefit your company include:
Investing in a shredder can help you dispose of any fiber materials, including food packaging made from paper and cardboard. This is another reason using cardboard for your packaging is a good choice. Beyond disposal, shredders also make it possible to harvest your own packing to fill your shipping boxes.
Shredded paper is eco-friendly and lightweight, making it a valuable shipping material. Paper cushions and protects your products. Shredded paper is also easier to recycle than whole paper waste.
Part of the reason you may want to limit your packaging or switch to a more eco-friendly material is that you care about your customers and how they view your products. If you encourage your customers to use your recycling options, you will achieve the best possible results when implementing your new program. Written guidance on your packaging can inform your customers how the recycling process works or how to dispose of the packaging properly.
You can promote sustainability by making customers aware of the efforts you have taken toward sustainability. You can also use sustainable or minimalistic packaging as a marketing tool. Show your customers that your competitors tend to overuse packaging, making your goods look fresher and more appealing.
We produce custom food and beverage packaging to impress your customers and meet your specifications. At Phase 1, our packaging is designed for convenience and ease of use with plenty of sustainable options. Contact us if you have questions about our manufacturing services.
The long-time schism of eco-friendly versus consumerism is rapidly drawing to a close. Consumer demand for sustainable packaging options has increased in recent years as people have become more aware of the dangers and drawbacks of plastic—both in terms of our ecosystem and human health.
Science Advances published a study revealing that humans have produced 18.3 trillion pounds of plastic since the s. Over half of this waste has been produced since . Almost all of it remains in landfills or the environment. Additionally, scientists have come to better understand how the chemicals used in plastic production are affecting human health. The result of this growing body of knowledge is a boom in bioplastics and plastic alternatives.
That is not to say that plastic is all bad. When it first became widespread in the ‘50s it was a revolutionary innovation: cheap, easy, and oh-so-versatile, plastic was the ultimate convenience. Its affordability holds particular appeal, and this has been a point of contention between those in support of sustainable packaging and those opposed.
Those in opposition argue that sustainable packaging isn’t financially sustainable for most businesses. The numbers show us this isn’t the case, particularly for smaller companies. Companies large and small can take steps toward sustainability and may even find themselves financially benefiting as a result.
Right now, plastic is inexpensive. However, because it’s derived from substances like petroleum and coal, the price of plastic is subject to an increasingly volatile market. As we continue to deplete our non-renewable resources, the price of plastic could skyrocket. Consider the turbulence in the oil and gas industry…and how that’s affected the price of filling up your car.
Currently, most sustainable packaging costs more than traditional plastic packaging. At least in terms of upfront cost. However, it’s worth noting that plastic is often heavier than plastic alternatives. This is in part because of the material itself and
As Adam Gendell from the Sustainable Packaging Coalitions says, “I think the good business models out there already have those considerations incorporated into them. Thinking about the environment is now an integrated part of thinking about the
Sustainable packaging naysayers often overlook a very important fact: sustainable packaging increases consumer appeal. There is a fast-growing demographic of eco-conscious customers, mostly made up of Millenials. As a generation that grew up amidst economic disruption and global turmoil, Millennials are especially keen on supporting socially responsible businesses. It’s a trend that will only continue: in a study conducted by Nielsen, Generation Z respondents increasingly say that they are willing to pay more money for products that are socially and environmentally responsible. That percentage jumped from 55% in to 72% in .
It’s not just the younger generations that are pushing for sustainability, however. That same study revealed that over half of Baby Boomers are willing to pay more for such products. The demand for sustainability is found across demographics and even across countries.
Since The United Nations declared the Sustainable Development goal of ensuring sustainable production and consumption practices, companies and countries all over the world have rallied to the cause:
These are just a few examples of how sustainability initiatives are affecting the globe. Those with power and influence recognize they have a duty to set a good example, but it’s also a savvy business move on the part of companies. Consider this: if a company loses even a small percentage of customers due to the choice of packaging, that in itself could overshadow the cost differential between sustainable and unsustainable packaging. People want to associate with companies that do good and have the interests of consumers (and the world) in mind.
Those that oppose sustainable packaging forget a basic but critical economic principle: the law of supply and demand. Common sense dictates that the more people want an item, the more companies will provide it. As a result, companies that practice sustainability not only attract more customers, but they will likely save money in the long run as the market price for sustainable packaging is driven down.
Already, we’re seeing the law of supply and demand in action. Companies continue to innovate, and as they do so, sustainable packaging is becoming more and more cost-effective. For example, the Swedish brand BillerudKorsnäs has helped brands all over the world to improve packaging performance and save money throughout the supply chain. Their case studies reveal that sustainable options can result in significant savings:
Even small businesses can win with sustainable packaging. In fact, in the agriculture industry, small- and medium-sized farms are seeing the benefits of sustainable packaging through supply chain savings and consumer respect. They have an easier time transitioning to sustainable packaging than larger farms because larger farms have more complex supply chains and tend to have a greater number of people to satisfy.
Four Pillar Farms in Vermont is an example of a small farm that is enjoying nationwide recognition for its sustainable practices. Through its commitment to eco-friendly packaging, the farm provides a level of integrity that workers and consumers are proud to associate with. According to the farm’s owner, Peter Cousineau, “the consumer is willing to pay a little more for packaging to alleviate the guilt of buying produce in plastic containers.”
Small steps like those taken by Four Pillar Farms is part of a critical cycle: as other companies witness the success of those that adopt sustainable packaging, they will respond with larger commitments. As a result of larger commitments, those providing plastic alternatives will continue to innovate better solutions.
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