Beverages around the world are packed in a multitude of ways. Produced exclusively in Latin America using nearly 130 tons of avocado seeds each month, BIOFASE’s food packaging and cutlery are exported to more than 25 countries around the world.Īluminium, carton, glass, plastic. Contrary to petroleum-based plastics, which alter the natural carbon cycle, the biomass in the company’s products reintegrates its carbon back into the natural cycle. The avocado pit-based bioplastic makes up 60% of the products, while the rest are organic compounds to ensure the products’ proper mechanical and physical properties. This is then converted into cutlery, plates, straws, and containers that can easily and naturally decompose in landfills or on land. Instead of disposing of it, the company collects pits and turns them into bioplastic.
Mexico-based BIOFASE successfully developed a unique technology to turn avocado pits into biodegradable products. Avocado Pits as Plastic Replacement for CutleryĪn increasing number of companies have found ways to use agro-industrial waste to produce food packaging in a bid to find more sustainable alternatives to conventional materials and reduce food scraps at the same time. You might also like: We Need Sustainable Food Packaging Now. Here are some of the most revolutionary sustainable food packaging options available and the companies behind them. While these alternatives are still used in very small quantities around the world in comparison to glass, plastic, and paper, they have the potential to radically transform the sector if more businesses start investing in them. Startups and companies have developed incredibly innovative solutions to classic food packaging materials and thanks to the constant progress made within the industry, the global sustainable food packaging market is set to reach a staggering USD$280 billion in value in 2026, a 50% increase from 2021. An increasing number of companies and startups – mostly located in North America – are investing time and resources in the development of alternative packaging materials which are easy to recycle, reuse, compost, or biodegrade and thus, have a minimal environmental footprint.Īs is the case in many other sectors, the food industry is undergoing a revolution in terms of finding sustainable alternatives and meeting growing sustainable consumer demands. While none of the conventional and most widespread food packaging materials are sustainable, it is not all bad news.
Even paper and paperboard – often mistaken for more environmentally friendly materials – require up to three times the amount of energy needed to produce plastic and they are nearly impossible to recycle after encountering food. Despite having a lower environmental impact, the toxic additives in glass and metal make them also extremely dangerous once they are disposed of. Though the latter is known for its high environmental footprint, its cheap price and versatility make it a very attractive option among food manufacturers. We recently compared some of the most used materials in food packaging, including glass, paper and paperboard, metal, and, of course, plastic. Despite its convenience, some of the most popular food packaging materials are also bringing detrimental harm to the environment. Why Do We Need Sustainable Food Packaging Alternatives?Įvery day, hundreds of millions of single-use foil, cans, and trays used to pack up groceries, non-biodegradable containers, straws, and plastic cutlery in food takeaways and deliveries are thrown away around the world. Supermarkets and eateries need to step up their efforts and stop this vicious cycle once and for all. These sustainable food packaging companies are a great starting point. While consumers are often the ones blamed for not making conscious choices when shopping for food, often they are not offered alternatives or forced to purchase over-packaged groceries or single-use containers that restaurants use to deliver their dishes.
The situation is becoming unsustainable: of all plastics produced worldwide today, nearly 40% is used to pack food and drinks. Food retailers and restaurants offering takeaway and delivery services continue to pile on food packaging waste.
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