Sustainable Packaging: 6 Ideas Companies Should Contain

Demand for eco-friendly food packaging is on the rise. In fact, research shows that two-thirds of consumers are willing to pay more money for sustainable items.

If you’re new to the sustainable packaging movement, you may not know where to start. Here are six eco-friendly packaging ideas that every restaurant owner should embrace.

1. Poly-coated Paper

Paper and cardboard are a great alternative to plastic and Styrofoam packaging, but they’re not always the best option for food storage. The poly-coated paper gives you the best of both worlds. It’s both an eco-friendly product packaging option and a durable option for food storage.

The poly-coated paper consists of recyclable kraft paper made from renewable resources and a poly coating that adds durability. With this type of sustainable product packaging, you can pack cold or hot items for customers to take home.

Poly-coated packaging is:

• Recyclable and usually contains recycled material.
• Resistant to leaks and grease, so they can stand up to sauces and oils.
• Breathable, which prevents steam and moisture from turning foods soggy.

2. Sugarcane Containers

Sugarcane is a sustainable food packaging material made from the waste of sugarcane processing. The fibrous, pulpy material is similar to cardboard in terms of durability and environmentally-friendliness. These containers require much less energy to produce.

A wide range of sugarcane containers is available to meet your restaurant’s needs.

One of the most sustainable packaging materials available, sugarcane containers are 100% compostable and biodegradable. They’re durable enough to handle greasy, heavy foods and sauces. They’re microwave-safe and can be used for either hot or cold foods. Some sugarcane-based packaging can even be placed in the oven.

3. Paperboard Take-out Boxes

If you’re offering food-to-go, swap out the usual bags and containers for paperboard boxes. They’re easy to carry, and they hold your customers’ food. It’s a versatile container with a dual purpose. Switching to take-out boxes will reduce the number of disposable items in your take-out service, save you money, and serve as an excellent option for eco-friendly packaging for food.

Paperboard take-out boxes come in a variety of sizes and closure styles to meet your needs. These boxes do require some assembly, so a brief training session may be required. You can also find a variety of styles, colors, and designs to match your brand. Just bear in mind that containers with prints and designs may contain inks that aren’t eco-friendly. It may be best to stick with plain containers.

4. Look for Products with Sustainability Certifications

If your goal is to use paper-based eco-friendly packaging materials, look for products that have sustainability certifications. These certifications, which come from non-government organizations, ensure that forests are being managed sustainably.

Example certifications to look for include:

• Program for Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC): The largest forestry certification program in the world. The group works with other forestry certification programs to create a global initiative.
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): Part of the PEFC umbrella. SFI is a U.S.-based certification program.
• Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC): One of the most stringent certification programs out there. FSC was created in the 1990s by environmental leaders.

5. Consider Reusable Packaging

For most restaurant owners, reusable packaging is not a top priority — primarily because it’s a more costly option.

But as far as eco-friendly food packaging supplies go, reusable items are one of the best options out there. Consumer demand for reusable packaging is growing.

Even if you don’t go the route of having a reusable container program, you can still offer packaging that customers can reuse after they finish their meal. Make sure that your containers are durable, washable, and easy to store to encourage customers to save and keep using your containers.

6. Bioplastics

Among the growing list of sustainable restaurant packaging materials, bioplastics are getting a lot of attention.

Bioplastic is a special type of plastic that will break down naturally and more quickly than petroleum-based plastic.

As a restaurant owner, it’s important to do your part to help protect the environment. Consider these six ideas for sustainable, renewable food packaging to reduce your restaurant’s environmental impact and attract more customers.

Source: https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/sustainable-packaging-ideas