Over the past few years, there’s been a dramatic shift in the way consumers and businesses approach sustainability. From single-use problematic plastic bans coming into effect and research studies finding that 30% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products – sustainability is now a key part of doing business.
According to a 2021 Deloitte study, avoiding single-use plastics is the most common way a business can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability – which means finding the best sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging is vital. Finding an easy and functional solution is key, and there are several alternative material options that can help contribute towards a more sustainable environment.
In response to increasing consumer awareness, we’ve slowly seen products emerge that instead create what’s known as a circular economy. With current manufacturing practices reflecting a take-make-waste cycle, a circular economy describes the process of giving and taking in equal measure – like the cycle of nature – to limit the amount of waste being created by products. A product that is a part of a circular economy will have a sustainable start-of-life (i.e., be made from a renewable material) and a sustainable end-of-life (i.e., disposal methods will include recycling or composting).
There is a variety of renewable materials on the market and each one offers different benefits that will suit different business needs.
So, what are the main materials you’ll find when it comes to sustainable food packaging?
Wood Pulp Paper
Wood pulp paper is material that comes from well-managed Forest-Stewardship Council certified forests and other controlled sources and is a great sustainable and renewable option for disposable food packaging. Both lightweight and sturdy, it’s the perfect material for a variety of food types from hot, cold, and greasy dishes.
Products made from wood pulp paper can be recycled in kerbside collections as long as there is no plastic lining. They can also be compostable in industrial facilities – which means that they will break down into organic matter under specific conditions (exact end-of-life processes will need to be checked against individual products).
Sugarcane (Bagasse)
A renewable resource, bagasse is the name of the fibre that is left over after sugarcane is crushed in production to extract sugar. As a by-product leftover from sugarcane production, it’s a renewable material being repurposed that would otherwise be treated as waste.
Made from the residues of an annual agricultural crop by-product, the use of bagasse in food packaging helps to reduce the commercialisation of our forests and can make a great alternative to common “tree-made” paper where viable. Bagasse can also be compostable in industrial composting facilities under specific conditions.
Sugarcane products can be durable, grease and water resistant and suitable for both hot and cold foods. They’re also microwavable and both fridge and freezer safe.
Bamboo
Bamboo is the name of a diverse group of fast-growing plants that can be harvested for use without killing the root system. As a natural fibre that doesn’t require fertisiler, pesticides or chemical herbicides to promote growth, it is a great renewable and sustainable material. Bamboo also produces 30-35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of plants and absorbs greenhouse gases.
Bamboo packaging can also be compostable in industrial composting facilities under specific conditions and break down into nutrient-rich organic matter. Bamboo is also an excellent renewable material option for hot cups when lined with a bioplastic such as BioPBS (bio-based polybutylene succinate) or PLA (polylactic acid), which are also derived from natural resources such as corn, sugarcane or cassava.
Birchwood
Harvested from birch trees, birchwood is light a material with a very fine grain that – when given a beeswax or other natural coating – offer a smooth surface and rich sheen perfect for products like disposable cutlery. It has a sustainable start-of-life when sourced from well-managed forests (look for Forest Steward Council certification) and is also compostable in industrial facilities under specific conditions at its end-of-life.
