Eco-Friendly Food Packaging for a Sustainable Future

One thing should be clear to everyone: Unpackaged food is generally the most environmentally friendly solution. Unfortunately, we know all too well that the trend of "unpackaged" stores has broken, so in our blog post, we look at the best possible alternatives. How can you protect the environment with innovative, sustainable packaging solutions while keeping your products safe and fresh?

The Challenge: Plastic Packaging

It's no secret that plastic packaging is ubiquitous in our society today. While it serves important functions by protecting and extending the shelf life of our food, unfortunately, many end up in our oceans rather than being recycled. According to studies, each person produces an average of 59 kilograms of plastic waste annually, which can have catastrophic consequences for our environment.

Environmentally Friendly Alternatives for More Sustainability

Fortunately, there are numerous innovative and sustainable packaging solutions available today that can help you reduce your ecological footprint. These include:

• Compostable Packaging: These packages are made from biodegradable materials such as corn starch, sugarcane, or bamboo and can be composted after use. This way, you actively contribute to environmental protection. Most paper types are also compostable. Microorganisms in compost bins or piles can break down paper, especially when it's uncoated, unbleached, and free from heavy printing or synthetic materials. This includes newspaper, cardboard, and regular printer paper.

However, there are some types of paper that are less suitable for composting:

• Glossy or Coated Paper (like glossy magazines) often contains plastic coatings that are difficult to biodegrade. That's why we often use uncoated papers as cover papers, for example in our natural brown can or our white, food-grade can.
• Colored or Heavily Printed Paper may contain toxic dyes or chemicals that are unsuitable for compost, especially for growing edible plants. For our cardboard cans, we exclusively use water-based dyes that comply with the Swiss Printing Ink Ordinance.
• Paper with Synthetic Additives such as receipts (thermal paper) should also be avoided.

It is advantageous to prefer the following types of packaging:

• Recyclable Packaging: Instead of plastic, you can opt for recyclable materials like glass, aluminum, or cardboard/paper. These packages can be recycled after use, thus conserving valuable resources.
• Reusable Packaging: Instead of using disposable packaging, you can opt for durable, reusable containers. This not only reduces packaging waste but also offers your customers practical added value.
• Packaging from Renewable Resources: Paper derived from wood is a prime example. But innovative materials like mushroom-based packaging, edible algae paper, or packaging made from coffee grounds are not only environmentally friendly but also amazingly versatile.

Discover the Benefits of Sustainable Food Packaging

Switching to environmentally friendly food packaging offers many advantages, not only for our planet but also for your business:

• Reduced ecological footprint: By using sustainable packaging, you can contribute to environmental protection and reduce your CO2 emissions.
• Strengthening your brand: More and more consumers value sustainable and environmentally friendly products. With innovative packaging solutions, you can stand out from your competitors and strengthen your brand image.
• Cost savings: Although sustainable packaging might be slightly more expensive initially, it pays off in the long run through reduced disposal costs and less material usage.
• Improved customer loyalty: Customers who value sustainability will appreciate your commitment to the environment and remain loyal to your brand.

Conclusion

Switching to environmentally friendly food packaging is an important step in protecting our planet while meeting the needs of customers and businesses. Whether compostable, recyclable, or reusable – there are numerous sustainable alternatives that can help you reduce your ecological footprint and strengthen your brand. Let's shape the future of food packaging together!