The use of plastic to package food is not a new thing to most of us. However, today we have realized it is not the best option because eco-friendly food packaging material will not affect our environment.
However, there are contrary opinions and keep asking between Plastic food packaging and eco-friendly packaging which one is better. We have this blog post for you as we look at the two types of food packaging and get to know which one is better.
Eco-friendly packaging
If you have not heard before about eco-friendly food packaging, the term refers to any food packaging which is easy to recycle. It is safe for people and doesn’t affect the environment negatively.
The Eco-friendly packaging material is made out of recycled material, including takeaway boxes used to pack food. If you order, for instance, pizza, you receive the order packed in a box that is eco-friendly food packaging.
Benefits of using eco-friendly packaging
There are several benefits linked to Eco-friendly packaging, behold being environmentally friendly packaging.
Environmentally friendly packaging can be biodegradable (although preferably compostable), recyclable, reusable, non-toxic, created from recycled materials, based on biomass or natural goods, or produced using low-impact methods.
1. Reduces your carbon footprint.
The quantity of greenhouse gases produced into the environment resulting from human activity is known as the carbon footprint.
The extraction of raw materials, production, transportation, use, and end of the life cycle are all parts of the packaging product’s lifecycle. Each phase emits a specific amount of carbon into the atmosphere.
Eco-friendly packaging uses various approaches in each of these steps, lowering overall carbon emissions and lowering our carbon footprint.
Furthermore, eco-friendly packaging emits fewer carbon emissions throughout production and is made of highly recyclable materials, reducing our use of high-energy resources.
2. Toxins and allergens are not found in eco-friendly materials.
Traditional packaging is made of synthetic and chemical-laden materials, making it hazardous to consumers and businesses alike. The majority of biodegradable packaging is non-toxic and created from allergy-free materials.
Several people are concerned about the materials used in their packaging and their impact on their health and well-being. Your customers will be able to live a healthier lifestyle if you use hazardous and allergen-free packaging materials.
3. Use of Eco-friendly boasts your brand
People have become more environmentally aware, and they are constantly looking for ways to affect the planet without drastically altering their current lifestyle positively.
By using eco-friendly packaging, you allow your customers to have a positive impact on the environment.
Companies that manufacture goods can position themselves as environmentally conscious. Consumers are more likely to interact with businesses that are known for their environmentally friendly activities.
That means that producers must use environmentally friendly materials in their packaging and be truthful about how their products are managed throughout their life cycle.
4. Eco-friendly packaging is biodegradable.
Eco-friendly materials are advantageous in making a positive impact even at the end of their life cycle, in addition to lowering our carbon footprint.
These eco-friendly packaging materials are biodegradable and created from recyclable resources, reducing their environmental impact. Traditional packaging materials require more energy to dispose of than sustainable packaging materials.
Producing inexpensive disposable materials can assist manufacturing companies in reducing their financial load.
5. Eco-friendly packaging leads to a decrease in the usage of plastic material.
The majority of traditional packaging is made of single-use plastic. Plastics and other non-biodegradable materials are easy to use. Still, they harm the environment, blocking water drains, raising global temperatures, contaminating water bodies, and so on.
Upon unwrapping, almost all packaging materials are thrown away, eventually clogging rivers and oceans. We can limit our consumption of plastic by using environmentally friendly materials.
The production and disposal of petrochemical ingredients, commonly utilized in all traditional plastics, consume a lot of energy. When paired with food, petrochemical packaging has also been related to health issues.
6. Eco-friendly packaging is versatile.
Eco-friendly packaging is extremely adaptable, and it may be reused and repurposed in virtually any industry that uses regular packaging. In comparison to traditional packaging, this implies you can use these materials in a variety of ways.
Traditional packaging not only affects the environment but also inhibits package design originality. When it comes to eco-friendly packaging, you’ll have additional alternatives for developing inventive forms and designs.
Furthermore, most food products can be packaged in environmentally friendly packaging without fear of negative consequences.
7. Eco-friendly packaging help in increasing the customer base.
The demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products is steadily increasing, according to numerous global researches. This is a chance for you to demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship.
When it comes to purchasing decisions, today’s consumers are looking for environmentally friendly products. As public awareness grows, more individuals opt for green packaging, so turning green will attract more customers, depending on your environmental stance.
Plastic food packaging
Plastic food packaging has been used for decades for several reasons. Among the top reasons is because it is a cheap way to package food. Other reasons include they are ideal food packaging material when you would like to transport food for long-distance.
However, the impact of the use of plastic food packaging on the environment is alarming. Nowadays, there is advocacy for companies to stop using plastic food packaging.
This section will look at the benefits of using plastic food packaging and the negative impact they have on the environment.
Advantages of plastic food packaging
Protection
Plastic food packaging protects perishable products against harm while in transit and contamination or damage caused by moisture, humidity, gases, bacteria, insects, and light.
Preservation
Plastic food packaging helps to keep things fresher for longer, reducing waste by allowing people more time to use or consume them before they become unfit.
Transportation
Plastic food packaging allows for long-distance shipping, giving us access to diverse non-local produce, fostering trade. It also saves space by stacking items, making transportation more efficient.
Displays information
Relevant info, such as nutritional content or allergy precautions, might be displayed on plastic food packaging.
Disadvantages of using plastic food packaging
The use of plastic materials has risen dramatically in recent years, with numerous new businesses entering the industry and a greater variety of plastics being produced.
Plastics are considered easier and less expensive to make than other materials, like metals and stones, because they are made from crude oil by-products and recycled.
Plastics are also perceived as being lighter than other packing materials by consumers. However, there are drawbacks to the widespread use of plastic products.
Harmful Nature
Harmful chemicals are included in disposable plastics used to package meals for human consumption. Due to the non-biodegradable nature of these packaging items, improper disposal leads to these toxic compounds finding their way into water bodies, where they break down over time.
Littered plastics also harm animals because they eat them and die as a result. In addition, as stabilizers or colourants, plastics manufacture entails the use of potentially hazardous compounds.
The majority of these chemicals have not been subjected to an ecological risk assessment. Thus their influence on human health and the environment is still unknown. Phthalates, for example, are utilized in the production of PVC.
Environmental Degradation
Plastics are typically non-biodegradable; therefore, they can take hundreds of years to decompose. Additionally, there is an intermolecular connection which is used to make up plastics. It is the structure which prevents the plastics from decomposing and rusting.
The inappropriately disposed plastics end up in water reservoirs. They block waterways and float in reservoirs, contaminating and obstructing them.
Low Melting Point
Plastics have a low melting point which means they are not ideal in high-heat environments. Also it means plastics are not ideal for utilization as a furnace protection barrier.
Polystyrene, acrylics, and nylons, extensively used in packaging, home and office appliances, are very flammable. As a result, they are a fire hazard.
Durability
When compared to metals, plastics have a shorter useful life. This short life cycle results in waste pile-ups in the office, at home, and in landfills.
Even though some plastics are recycled, the majority end up in landfills, polluting the environment. Polythene bags are also easily carried by the wind, making them very impossible to collect for recycling.
Plastic food packaging and eco-friendly packaging which one is better
As you can see, there is a more negative impact of plastic food packaging compared to eco-friendly food packaging.
If you own a food business, the ideal packaging to use is an eco-friendly material. You can find the best eco-friendly packaging from the leading food container supplier Singapore. The company offer a wide variety of food packaging material such as takeaways boxes.
