Which Renewable Food Packaging Material is Right for You?

With such a wide ray of options, it can sometimes be hard to figure out which food packaging material is best for your food product

Listed below are some of the top eco-friendly food packaging materials you can choose to use!

1. Metal

Companies have been using the material metal for packaging since the 1990s. The renewable food packaging material, metal, is considered one of the more friendly packaging methods. That is why metal is commonly used for storing canned veggies, soups, and occasionally fruit. Metal does not only have many different designs to choose from but has proven to be safe and sustainable. Metal packaging is recyclable which will help the environment conservations while reducing waste.

2. Glass

Glass is considered a trusted eco-friendly material that is safe and healthy. This eco-friendly packaging material, glass, is used for its ability to preserve a product’s taste and integrity. Glass is most commonly used for bottles but is also used for storing, jams, and sauces (ex. marinara sauce, salsa, etc.). The main advantage glass offers is that is can be used over and over again without losing the qualities of its original look.

3. Compostable Bowls with Lids

Compostable bowls with lids packaging is a byproduct of sugar manufacturing factories. The eco-friendly packaging material, compostable bowls with lids, is simply made from sugarcane fiber and is 100% biodegradable. Compostable bowls with lids are most commonly used when serving hot food on the go. For example, Chipotle uses compostable bowls to put all their bowls and salads in.

4. Recycled Cardboard and Paper

Recycled cardboard and paper are packaging materials that are made completely of organic materials. This eco-friendly material, recycled cardboard, and paper are used for packaging cereal boxes, fast food boxes, frozen food boxes, etc. Though one downside of this material is that it can contain some harmful mineral oils and other substances that can contaminate foods that are past the safe for consumption level.

5. Butcher Paper

Butcher paper, also known as Kraft paper and brown paper, is an eco-friendly packaging material made from wood pulp. With butcher paper, being made from wood pulp means the material is recyclable and compostable. Butcher paper is used for many different things. A popular use being brown paper bags. These bags are used throughout grocery stores and also popularly used for a sack lunch.

6. Cornstarch

Cornstarch packaging material comes from corn and maize plants. Since the cornstarch material is made of plants it is biodegradable. If this eco-friendly material is disposed of correctly after being used it will breakdown into carbon dioxide and water causing no harm to the environment. Cornstarch material is similar to compostable bowls with lids, making their uses quite similar.

7. PET Plastic

PET plastic is a renewable food packaging material that uses non-toxic, flexible, strong, recyclable, and safe materials. For safety reasons, consumers prefer PET plastic for packaging over glass packaging. The eco-friendly material, PET plastic, is used to package ketchup, salad dressing, soft drinks, vitamins, etc. It as well as having the advantage of being available in multiple designs, sizes, and shapes.

In conclusion, when trying to choose a renewable food packaging material to protect the environment you can’t fully go wrong with the abundance of options you are given. Although you do have to decide which material is best for packaging your food product. Be smart with your choices and you will get the support you are looking for.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about renewable food packaging, please reach out to the NewPoint team. If you are interested in more food marketing topics, please visit our Food for Thought page or check out NewPoint’s Patrick Nycz’s book: Moving Your Brand Up the Food Chain.