What's Trending In Sustainable Packaging?
By Alec Italiano, contributing writer
Traceability and reducing food waste are two topics important to the modern, informed consumer
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. But, for the sustainable packaging industry, it might just be the best of times. Despite food companies decreasing the number of new product launches, the number of new packaging debuts is on the upswing. Ultimately, this is leading to expansion in the sustainable packaging sector, forecasted to be a $244 billion industry by 2018, according to a widely published report by Smithers Pira.
The recent boom in sustainable packaging has led to an increased trend in packaging innovations, with traceability revolutions leading the way. Traditionally, this would refer to what happens to a package after use, but in the new age of sustainability, this also refers to the package’s journey through the entire supply chain. Consumers are making purchasing decisions based more and more on how the package is being handled from farm, to processing plant, to market, and then finally to table — this is why traceability is so important. The more ways manufacturers can track and display data on where their food is coming from, assuming it doesn’t reveal any problems, the more consumers they will satisfy who expect packaging to head in this direction.
Check out how distribution center upgrades can enhance traceability
Another trend in this booming industry is food waste reduction. A Mintel survey recently showed that 92 percent of people say that packaging which helps to retain freshness is important to them. Another 80 percent of those surveyed indicated that the ability to reseal a package is an important attribute when making a food purchasing decision. Packaging that can allow consumers to remove the entire product from the package, and encourages them to do so with a re-sealable zipper, will entice the modern-day customer.
Contemporary consumers are certainly more knowledgeable and are looking for packaging that is friendly to the environment. Knowing that packaged food products are made using fewer and 100 percent recyclable — even biodegradable — materials are a definite plus for companies looking to gain environmentally-conscience consumers. Traceability also plays an important role, as modern consumers want to know their packaged foods are coming from satisfactory, lawful, and sources that keep sustainability in mind. As traceability touches on both the environment and human judgment, food makers will continue to modify sourcing methods that allow communication between products’ origins and final consumption.