As I write the blog post it is #PlasticFreeJuly, a campaign to swap single-use plastics like food packaging and replace them with sustainable, eco-friendly and plastic-free food packaging alternatives. Its’ not just food packaging packaging that’s under fire either; packaging for cosmetics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, magazines and other consumer goods are also targets for going plastic-free.
With all this pressure from consumers, and the Governments’s overhaul of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) system, demand for cost effective and fit for purpose plastic-free food packaging has never been higher.
5 Plastic-Free Food Packaging Alternatives
In light of this increased awareness and demand, many brands and packaging companies are exploring plastic-free alternatives. However, one of the barriers faced when finding plastic-free packaging is ensuring KPIs are maintained.
Below we explore some of the plastic-free food packaging options that are excellent substitutes for plastic packaging.
Swap Plastic Food Wrappers For 100% Biodegradable Transparent Films
Transparent films are now available that are 100% biodegradable and home compostable, which meets EN13432 standards and are also printable and can run on current machines. These films are breathable to prevent condensation and are direct food contact safe. In many cases this new generation of food wrappers and films can keep some foods fresher than their plastic equivalents.
Swap Single Use Plastic Carrier Bags For Compostable Bags
Even with the plastic bag tax in the UK over a billion single-use plastic bags were used in 2017-2018 and another billion ‘bags for life’ were also sold. However, some retailers are switching to plastic-free compostable and biodegradable carrier bags (hydro-biodegradable ‘plastics’ or ‘plant-based plastics’) that are robust and practical, as well as being plastic-free and eco-friendly.
Swap Black Plastic Trays For Plastic-Free Cartonboard
Black plastic trays are notoriously difficult to recycle but are popular because they enhance the appearance of food products like fresh meat. Plastic-free cartonboard is an excellent alternative as it can be coated with plastic-free, biodegradable barriers – making it fit for purpose for packaging fresh food products – and its also available in a black reverse to display those products to the optimum.
Swap Plastic Wraps For Eco-Friendly Wraps
Toilet rolls and magazine wraps can also be replaced easily with plastic-free wraps. made from a variety of products such a potato starch or corn, these will break down in moist conditions such as through a food waste recycling scheme or home compost bin. As with biodegradable carrier bags, these wraps are just as effective as plastic wraps, are printable and can run through existing machines.
Swap Plastic Ready Meal Trays For Duel Ovenable Cartonboard
Ready meals and other hot food packaging moved away from plastic as demand for duel ovenable ready meals increased – i.e food that can be heated in the oven and in a microwave. Plastic trays provided a solution, although they are far from perfect. Duel ovenable cartonboard is a great plastic-free food packaging alternative and offers key benefits over plastic trays. It is coated with a plastic-free biodegradable barrier so moisture doesn’t soak through, it retains its shape even at high temperatures (220 degrees in the oven & 90 degrees in the microwave), it can be handled directly from the oven and the material is free of fluorocarbons and other harmful chemicals.
Compostable & Biodegradable ‘Plastics’
Many consumers are sceptical about packaging that claims to be compostable. Some solutions only work in commercial composting facilities where high temperatures help the material to biodegrade. While consumers with access to food waste collection services can recycle this type of packaging with their food waste, what about people whose local councils don’t offer these facilities?
We are now supplying our clients with a home compostable solution. It is plastic-free but shares many of the characteristics of plastic – flexibility, strength, print-ability and transparency. It can be used for wrapping magazines, packaging salad leaves and prepacked fruit and veg, to make carrier or self-service bags, wrap products like toilet rolls and paper napkins and even dog waste bags!
This type of material is more expensive than comparable plastic packaging. However, consumer demand for plastic-free packaging is driving interest in these solutions from a wide range of manufacturers and brands. Many of the brands that have adopted these materials are seeing increased levels of customer loyalty and retention, as well as attracting new customers who want to buy from ‘green’ brands. If you are looking for plastic-free food packaging alternatives with the same qualities and benefits of plastic packaging, this solution could fit your specifications perfectly and can be a useful PR tool for boosting your eco-friendly credentials.
While demand and the economies of scale will ultimately drive down the cost of plastic-free packaging, our suppliers are able to offer small volumes for companies that are exploring eco-friendly options and phasing out plastics.
