Never has the push towards eco-sustainability gained as much momentum as it has in recent years. Businesses which now place themselves as an eco-friendly option for consumers are the ones raking handsome profits.
One of the ways you can reap the benefits of the green economy is in your product’s package. While this might not be hard for most industries, it is a challenge for the food industry. Here, you will need to get a product which preserves your product’s freshness while maintaining high sanitation.
Thankfully, filling machines and equipment now accommodate a range of eco-friendly packaging materials which suffice for packaging food. The machines come in different sizes which suit all food producers from the smallest café to the largest food manufacturing plant.
Here are the eco-friendly packaging alternatives which can set your company apart as one concerned about the environment.
Glass
This is the most eco-friendly option for the packing of foods and drinks. It is made of naturally occurring and bountiful ingredients like limestone, soda ash, and sand. There exist recycled and virgin grades of glass, but there isn’t much of a difference between them since glass can be recycled numerous times.
Glass containers will preserve the freshness of your product and give your clients a view of your packaged products if clear. The best way to ensure your glass packages are recycled is by having refillable options for your customers. This option also places you as an economical alternative among your target market.
Metal
This marks one of the most recyclable materials nowadays. Aluminum is the most common metal used for food packaging. It is made of bauxite which requires extensive mining, but the recycled material requires as low as 4–8% energy for its manufacturing.
Opting for recycled aluminum cans for your food packaging will lower your production costs as well. Tin and steel cans are also commonly used for food and beverage storage.
Paper
Though the production of paper products has a high water wastage and a huge carbon footprint, this packaging material is easily compostable and recyclable. You can use recycled paper in your production process to guarantee no new trees are being cut to fuel your industry.
Most people assume that paper containing greasy products like pizza and chips is non-recyclable, but this is composited instead and has a minimal carbon footprint.
Plastic
Most industries swear by plastic since it is far cheaper to produce compared with other options and is easily recyclable. According to statistics, however, less than 10% of the plastic used for packaging food and drinks is recycled.
Moreover, plastic is downcycled with every recycles meaning its efficacy is reduced. It is hence wiser to steer off plastic if you can. If, however, this is your leading choice, ensure you include a call for your clients to recycle the package as much as they can.
Your brand image is one of the elements which will define your position among your target market. The above types of packaging materials are sure to place you as an eco-friendly choice in your field. Coupled with the best filling and packaging machine to handle your product, you can sit back and watch your investment pay off.
