Charles Haverfield, Packaging Executive US packaging and packaging
Nestlé recently unveiled a revamped packaging for one of its most famous products. KitKatIn Australia, the recyclable wrapping paper will be used to sample treats as part of the company’s pledge to reduce its use of virgin plastic by a third by 2025.
Nestlé is not alone. Other of his FMCG brands are beginning to shift to paper-based alternatives as consumer demand for sustainable packaging alternatives soars.
We explore whether paper-based alternatives are a better long-term solution than traditional plastic packaging for food.
Meeting food storage requirements
On the surface, paper food packaging appears to be a greener option due to its biodegradable properties. You need to consider whether you can realistically match or surpass food storage plastic packaging without impact.
Paper packaging is a lower barrier than plastic, making food more susceptible to light, oxygen, and microbial degradation. To combat this, paper packaging manufacturers have historically resorted to additional coatings, typically plastic films, aluminum, or chemical coatings (PFAS). They provide the protection needed for food preservation, but with the addition of these coatings, paper packaging is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.
moreover, Ban on Harmful PFAS New York, Maine, California, Pennsylvania, and Colorado have already enacted PFAS bans and restrictions, and other states are expected to follow suit. This has broad implications for many household products, including cosmetics, cleaning products, water-repellent clothing, non-stick coatings on cookware, etc., but paper foods that rely on PFAS to prevent grease and grease-induced deterioration of packaging. It directly affects the package. liquid.
In response, emerging technologies hope to provide improved barrier solutions for paper packaging. The aim is to make the paper packaging fully recyclable without a sorting process, while providing
However, it will be some time before these new technologies are thoroughly tested in a practical sense before the industry widely adopts 100% paper-based packaging.
cost balance
Businesses want to get the maximum return on their spending. And when it comes to packaging, design and materials inevitably dictate cost.
Plastic continues to be the most popular choice for many brands thanks to its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.Plastic is one of the most efficient materials for protecting food. Not only is it , it also uses less energy to manufacture than alternative packaging. In addition, it is lightweight and easy to transport, which reduces transportation costs and emissions.
However, the environmental costs of plastic waste cannot be underestimated.According to recent reports, the world has created a record 139 million tons In 2021 alone, the global volume of single-use plastic waste is projected to triple to 1,231 million tonnes by 2060. OECD.
As a result, governments have introduced targets to limit the production of single-use plastics. California Last year, it became the first U.S. state to impose regulations, requiring it to phase out all non-recyclable or compostable single-use plastics by 2032 and reduce plastic packaging sales by 25%.
Abroad, governments are setting new regulations to tackle plastic packaging waste at a national level, such as in the UK. plastic packaging tax as well as that broad ban For some single-use plastics effective October 2023.
If the United States follows suit in issuing regulations on plastic, paper-based packaging could offer a cost-effective solution. 86% Consumers under 45 are willing to pay more for sustainably packaged products, so brands can’t afford to miss out on catering to this new conscientious consumer. It may not.
Maintaining brand identity
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to branding. For most consumers, packaging is their first interaction with a branded product and can make or break a sale.
Many brands rely on packaging, especially product appearance, to attract and retain customers. Take Campbell’s Soup, for example, the iconic canned soup has seen very few redesigns since Andy Warhol famously painted it in the ’60s. The latest redesign for 2021 was so small that many consumers didn’t even notice.
While most consumers welcome sustainable packaging initiatives, manufacturers should carefully consider how to avoid compromising their brand identity when changing packaging.
for example, Nestlé quality street Chocolate – Britain’s favorite candy – faced backlash last year after it changed its iconic packaging from colorful, glossy double-layer aluminum foil and cellulose to a vegetable-based, recyclable paper wrapper. Even though the change kept about 2.5 billion pieces of wrapping paper out of landfills, customers are still flocking to Twitter to express their frustrations and express their many emotional reactions to their favorite products. It highlights attachment.
However, according to A. Recent reports, 3 in 4 US consumers say they prefer brands to use paper packaging instead of plastic. With today’s environmentally conscious consumers setting market trends, it’s no surprise that more brands are beginning to successfully transition to paper alternatives.
Outside the food industry, brands have switched to recyclable paper packaging with great success. L’Oréal brand La Roche-Posay is the world’s first in 2020 to develop its cardboard tube for Anthelios sunscreen, reducing plastic production by 45%. L’Oréal has since announced that it will expand paper packaging to its entire portfolio of brands.
However, it is important to note that this packaging requires plastic to protect the product. It may be a while before we see 100% paper-based packaging, but it may take longer for this to spread across the food packaging industry.
Charles Haverfield is CEO of US Packaging & Wrapping. US Packaging & Wrapping is a full-service customer-oriented packaging supplier. Headquartered in Central Arkansas and with shipping warehouses on the East and West Coasts, US Packaging & Wrapping strives for fast and affordable shipping.Click here for details
