It is crucial that we do all we can to reduce the negative impact that plastic packaging is having on our environment, to do our bit to shrink our carbon footprint, and decrease the damage we are doing to our planet. There are ways that we can make a change, whether that’s with hot food takeaway containers that can be recycled or food packaging that can be reused, like bottles and cartons. We’ll look at this in more detail below.
What does it mean to be eco-friendly?
More of us are trying to become more eco-friendly, but what does this actually mean? To be more eco-friendly simply means not harming the environment. Plastic packaging can be harmful to our surroundings, especially to animals and their habitats. Plastic is not biodegradable, which means it can pollute our planet, and contribute to global warming. It is essential that we all do what we can to reduce our plastic use and take better care of the earth – especially if we are manufacturing products that will eventually be disposed of. If you’re wondering how you can make your food packaging eco-friendlier, read on to find out more.
How can we help?
Food packaging is some of the most likely to end up not being disposed of correctly, and with a particularly high content of plastic, this means irreversible damage to the planet. Two main factors can help with this, one being us, the consumer, and the other being the manufacturers of these products. As mentioned previously, we must do all we can to alleviate the damage we are doing to the planet by making a conscious effort to recycle where we can, or even better – reusing our packaging. Jars, containers, and bottles can all be used again. Materials like paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals can all be recycled, so make sure you’re separating your rubbish from your recyclables!
But we can make even more of an impact if manufacturers of these products use recyclable materials to help with our efforts. Materials like paper and cardboard can be used for food packaging and can be recycled up to 7 times, and cardboard 3 to 4 times. There is a range of biodegradable options to choose from that can be broken down into the earth to eliminate our overall impact.
- Use paper
It is becoming more common for food brands in both supermarkets and takeaways to replace their plastic packaging with paper or cardboard. Paper is a renewable resource; it quite literally grows on trees! Choosing this as an option for your hot food takeaway containers means that you will be reducing your carbon footprint massively in comparison to if you were using non-renewable materials. Paper can also be recycled to create other packaging or paper-based products. You could use cardboard packaging for food or drinks, and you don’t have to worry about the impact it will have on the environment if it is not disposed of correctly, as it is unlikely to harm wildlife, or habitats like plastic would.
Paper can be a great option when choosing a new, more sustainable, and eco-friendly type of food packaging – it can hold many different food items, and can be made into bags too, to reduce the use of single-use carriers. If you need something stronger, cardboard could be the solution.
- Use less packaging
A lot of manufacturers of packaging are guilty of waste, from the production of the packaging, to when it reaches the shelves. Reducing the amount of packaging, as well as the amount of material being used, can not only help to reduce your carbon footprint but can also ensure that less waste is being produced.
You can decrease the size of your packaging if there is space that you don’t need, or you could arrange your items in a different way to save on food packaging materials. The minimalist look can help your product to look slick and may end up selling your product for you, as it will set you apart from your competition. Using less packaging means you can showcase your food without all the fancy extras which, most of the time, are not necessary.
- Reusable packaging
You could opt for reusable food packaging as a way of becoming more eco-friendly. Reusable bags have become more popular over the last few years due to the charge that now comes with a carrier bag, to deter us from using single-use plastic. Reusable packaging can reduce your carbon footprint, as the packaging has a longer life, meaning it won’t be heading straight to a landfill when it’s disposed of, which as a result means less production of raw materials. Reusable food containers can keep contents fresh repeatedly, or the container could be used for something else.
