Ever wondered if the packaging of your favourite snacks and drinks measures up in terms of both sustainability and convenience? Choosing the right packaging isn't just about picking a box or a bottle; it's about striking the perfect balance between functionality, sustainability, practicality, and consumer preferences. In this article, we explore the advantages and challenges of various packaging materials based on the specific requirements of each product, from water bottles to takeaway containers.
WATER
Water is predominantly packaged in PET bottles due to their lightweight and convenience. PET is highly favoured for its strength, mouldability, and recyclability. However, its production consumes a lot of energy and contributes to carbon emissions. Returned glass bottles are popular in Germany, for instance, as they are reusable and recyclable, though their heavier weight increases transportation emissions and the recycling process is very energy-intensive. Tap water, consumed directly from the source or using systems like SodaStream, is the most environmentally friendly option as it eliminates the need for packaging altogether, significantly reducing environmental impact and waste, as bottled water production consumes up to 2,000 times the energy required to produce tap water. Many consumers, however, still accept a higher price for bottled water compared to tap water.
MEAT, CHEESE & FISh
Meat, cheese, and fish require packaging that extends shelf life and maintains freshness. Polystyrene (PS) trays are ideal as they are lightweight and provide excellent protection, thereby reducing food waste. PS is also recyclable if the appropriate infrastructure is in place. Plastic wraps and vacuum-sealed bags also offer good protection and convenience. However, vacuum-sealed bags are typically multi-layer: polyethylene (PE) for sealing properties and polyamide (PA) for oxygen barrier. This multi-layer structure makes them difficult to recycle by any technology, whether mechanical or chemical.
Fruits & Vegetables
For fruits and vegetables, minimal or no packaging is ideal for reducing waste, which is highly accepted for produce such as oranges and bananas. However, when packaging is necessary, polyethylene (PE) packaging is a convenient option.
YOGHURT
Yoghurt packaging options include polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), PET, paper, and returned glass. PP is often used in single pots and is the cheapest packaging material. It has good recycling rates, although the material is often downcycled and not returned to food contact quality. PS is used in multipacks and is the preferred material of producers as it is the easiest to process. Unfortunately, it suffers in many countries from insufficient collection and sorting. Paper exists mainly because consumers believe it is sustainable and prefer it. It needs to be polymer-coated, making it typically non-recyclable and heavier, thus increasing waste. Returned glass is heavy but a good option if short distances from dairy producer to customers are guaranteed. Single-use glass is not an option at all due to the high temperatures needed to recycle it.
TAKE-AWAY CONTAINERS
Styrofoam (PS) and PP containers are popular for their lightweight and durability. Aluminium foil and paper-based containers offer better recycling options, though aluminium foil is energy-intensive to produce. Compostable and biodegradable containers are increasingly favoured for their low environmental impact and growing consumer acceptance, despite varying durability.
CONCLUSION: IT'S IN OUR HANDS
Selecting the right packaging involves balancing functionality, sustainability, practicality, and consumer acceptance. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every material comes with trade-offs. While traditional materials like glass and metal boast high recycling rates, they also come with hefty energy costs and significant transportation emissions.
Plastics offer lightweight, durable packaging that extends the shelf-life of products. They are shown to be the best packaging option from a GHG emissions standpoint in nine out of ten cases, according to a recent study by the National Institute of Health. This is just one of many studies that demonstrate plastics as a real climate solution, even with little to no recycling.
By making informed choices, we can make more sustainable packaging decisions that enhance product protection and shelf life while reducing environmental impacts. As a company, we are committed to increasing recycling efforts and we will continue to push for this.