Packaging industry at a “crossroads” in food spoilage and material waste fight, say industry experts

30 Aug 2023 --- Consumers and packagers alike have been increasingly paying attention to their contributions to food waste. Food and packaging waste go hand-in-hand, with one often affecting the other in numerous ways.

Packaging Insights speaks with three industry professionals on tackling both challenges using packaging as a solution.

Eliisa Laurikainen, business development manager of Consumer Goods at UPM Raflatac, highlights the importance of labeling as a food waste solution. Siobhan Wood, sales manager at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe, emphasizes recyclable paper-based packaging to reduce food and packaging waste. Martina Wagner, manager of Group Sustainability at Constantia Flexibles, notes how packaging should influence consumer behavior.

“The packaging industry is at the crossroads of the food waste issue for several crucial reasons. First, the type and quality of packaging can directly influence a food product’s shelf life, potentially reducing spoilage and waste. Second, packaging labels, like ‘best by’ dates, guide consumer behavior and can often lead to premature food disposal,” says Wagner.

“Additionally, the packaging design – whether it’s resealable, for instance – can impact how much consumers use at one time, reducing the chance of waste. Innovative packaging solutions can help extend food longevity, make transport more efficient and educate consumers on waste reduction.”

Packaging as the solution
Sonoco highlights the importance of paper for food packaging solutions.Sonoco believes that packaging is not the problem, but it is part of the solution for food waste.

“Packaging is key in physically protecting food from damage and spoilage and providing ideal conditions for maximizing shelf life. At their simplest, packaging technologies provide physical protection against food loss,” asserts Wood.

“The science behind the extended shelf life lies primarily in the packaging and related processes, which seal out contaminants and protect the food inside. Food packaging for store products should determine the unique barrier needs of the product in various environments and maximize shelf life while minimizing unnecessary materials.”

Sonoco names its Rigid Paper Containers, which include recycled, recyclable and renewable materials, as a food waste solution.

The paper’s design can include replacing metal and plastic components with paper-based structures for the top and bottom ends and lids, which keep the same or enhance the pack’s barrier and shelf life properties, enabling recyclability.

Sustainability trends
UPM’s Laurikainen explains how delivering packaging solutions that are food-safe and environmentally sustainable is an ongoing journey of product development. 

“Creating solutions that meet the stringent food safety regulations while lowering environmental impact is paramount.”

“By opting for label materials that move away from fossil-based materials to verified [environmentally] sustainable and renewable ones, or solutions supporting circular economy and reducing the pressure on using virgin feedstocks, brands can meet food safety requirements while supporting their environmental targets, helping to combat climate change, and enhancing circular economy,” says Laurikainen. Martina Wagner, manager of Group Sustainability at Constantia Flexibles.

“Sustainability is the number one trend [for packaging to reduce food waste] – it’s shaping up to be long-term,” adds Wagner.

She says flexible packaging is, by default, thin and packages products with an optimized ratio.

“Our main focus is on creating materials designed for recycling, thereby supporting a circular economy. Take, for example, our EcoLam solution, made entirely of PE. This versatile material can be used in a range of applications.”

Sonoco’s sales manager adds that it is essential for packaging industry members to understand the need to balance paper packaging that extends product shelf life and reduces food waste. 

Consumer education is key
Wood identifies households as the primary contributors to food waste.

“Food waste is a pressing issue on a global scale, and although producers, manufacturers and retailers are actively working to minimize waste along the supply chain, there is still room for improvement in reducing waste at the consumer level,” she says.

“Packaging innovation and on-pack communication educate consumers and help them learn how to cut food waste.”

Constantia Flexibles is tracking trends in the packaging sector that can be a food waste solution. 

Constantia Flexibles says its EcoLam solution made entirely of PE, is useful to reduce food waste.Wagner mentions portion packs as one solution. The packages offer “just the right amount” of food to prevent waste and extend shelf life. “It’s all about optimizing consumption and minimizing spoilage.”

Reclosable packs are also suggested to solve waste for food consumed over time as they allow consumers to preserve what they don’t use, reducing waste. 

Labeling as a solution
In a recent consumer survey of perceptions of packaging’s role in encouraging or preventing food waste by Fight Food Waste CRC, it was found that safety cues for meat and seafood, ideas for leftovers or tips on repurposing produce and portion sizing were common responses to avoiding waste.

The business development manager of Consumer Goods at UPM Raflatac calls labels a small yet mighty part of the food packaging puzzle.

“As packaging materials and techniques have developed, the shelf life of foods has grown and, as a result, helped prevent food waste across the supply chain. However, informing customers about relevant information also helps prevent food from being wasted, and this is where labeling plays a key part,” says Laurikainen.

“Alongside a continued focus on the material used to package the food, there is the need for a lot of information on the packaging, for example, best before dates or use-by dates, ingredients, allergens, price, shelf life, brand information etc., and in the future, communicating this information will play an even more important part in tackling food waste.”

“Extending the edible food period makes waste much less likely. And although there have been significant advances in shelf life extension with smarter packaging, consumers still want more,” explains Laurikainen.

Wagner adds that on-pack information is essential when it comes to waste prevention. She comments that packages increasingly offer guidance on storage and preparation, helping consumers make informed decisions.

Upcoming legislationThe recent ban on plastic for produce in France raises concerns for UPM’s business development manager.
UPM says that the effects of how packaging legislation will impact food waste are yet to be seen. Laurikainen says the recent ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables in France could have a detrimental impact on food waste. 

“Whatever the outcome, there will be important learnings from this regulation for producers and regulators alike.”

“To achieve a greater consensus surrounding what is communicated, there needs to be EU-wide regulation, for example, the PPWR and a green claims directive. In fact, to succeed, the whole value chain must be involved and interested in preventing food waste,” asserts Laurikainen.

“As we look ahead, it’s clear that designing for a circular economy and navigating emerging legislation are becoming industry norms,” adds Wagner.

The manager of Group Sustainability at Constantia Flexibles says the current revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation aims to increase packaging circularity and minimize packaging waste.

“We need to ensure packaging complies with design for recycling guidelines and maintains full functionality simultaneously. Food waste is a pressing issue, contributing to environmental and economic problems. This is best addressed through collaboration and optimization along supply chains and actively providing consumers with necessary information on handling, storing and disposing of valuable products,” concludes Wagner.

By Sabine Waldeck