Most business owners and customers consider premium packaging for luxury products and high-end brands. Vancouver premium packaging could also help tackle one of Canada's most pressing environmental challenges — food waste.
- Over half of the wastage in Toronto comes from single-family homes.
- Most discarded fruits and vegetables, especially those without proper containers, spoiled before consumption.
- Portion control packs allow consumers to reduce FLW (food loss and waste) and minimize the stress of buying and storing large amounts.
The Food Waste Crisis in Canada
Approximately 58% of all food produced in the country is lost or wasted each year, which is about $49 billion worth of food.
Not only does this create a notable economic loss, but it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. When tossed into landfills, it decomposes and releases methane—one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
What's Causing All this Waste?
The reasons are numerous: over-purchasing, poor storage, improper packing, and even aesthetic standards (you know, the whole "blemish-free" obsession). In Toronto alone, over 50% of food waste is in single-family households.
Consumers don't store their foodstuff correctly. It costs the average Canadian household over $1,300 per year. That's an outrageous amount, considering the growing demand for food security.
Key to Reducing Wastage
Now that we've established the problem, let's focus on finding a solution. Better custom packaging is the core of reducing wastage. That's right—what wraps around your meals can make all the difference.
Extending Shelf Life
The study revealed that fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, and dairy products are the most frequently wasted items. Within the fruit and vegetable category, whole produce accounted for the majority, with bananas, lettuce, and strawberries being the most commonly discarded.
A portion (over 56%) of discarded whole fruits and vegetables, the most frequently wasted group, lacked protective containers and spoiled before consumption. Research, such as the 2017 "Value of Flexible Packaging in Extending Shelf Life and Reducing Food Waste" study, demonstrates that a good packing material can extend the shelf life of certain produce. For instance, well-packaged bananas can remain fresh for nearly two weeks longer than unpackaged ones.
Materials like vacuum seals and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) slow down the deterioration process to keep meals fresh longer.
Protecting from External Factors
Extrinsic parameters refer to the environmental conditions within the storage environment. These factors, including temperature, oxygen availability, and humidity levels, influence quality and shelf life.
External factors can lead to the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms are primary contributors to spoilage.
- Pseudomonas species cause spoilage in raw and ready-to-eat foods.
- Aerobic spore formers, such as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Alicyclobacillus, spoil many consumable items.
- Anaerobic sporeformers like Clostridiales thrive in low-oxygen environments.
- Fungi targets items with low water activity or pH or where bacterial growth is limited.
Packages that protect against these elements can drastically reduce the likelihood of spoilage.
- Oxygen scavengers: Absorb oxygen to slow spoilage.
- Moisture absorbers: Protect moisture-sensitive products.
- Ethylene scavengers: Slow down fruit ripening.
- Anti-fog: Reduces moisture build-up on produce.
- Antimicrobial films: Inhibit bacterial growth in meat and poultry.
Portion Control
People have complex and emotional relationships with food. They perceive certain items as treats. Portion control packs address this by allowing consumers to indulge without guilt or the risk of overeating. They also reduce waste and the stress of purchasing and storing large quantities.
Package solutions make it easier for consumers to buy what they need. Smaller packing options mean less is left over to reduce the chance of waste.
Convenience
Consumers strongly favour containers featuring zipper seals and peelable/resealable lids. These features are more appealing than traditional formats like rigid cartons or multipacks. Resealable containers reduce wastage by allowing consumers to ingest the content anytime while maintaining freshness.
Best Befor
MSU researchers highlight consumer confusion surrounding labels, particularly regarding the "sell-by" date. While intended for retailers, many consumers mistakenly believe it signifies safety. The example of label confusion identified in the study strengthens the argument for revising and standardizing labels to reduce consumer confusion and minimize food loss and waste (FLW).
Goes Beyond Foodstuff Spoilage
Smart packings go beyond extending shelf life; it prioritizes environmental sustainability. By using eco-friendly materials, it minimizes its own environmental impact and reduces its contribution to waste problems.
Businesses can adopt sustainable options with durability to promote less pollution. Some materials a business can use:
- Recyclable materials, including paper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum.
- Reusable options, such as durable containers.
- Focusing on simple, functional designs that use the least amount of material.
- Thinner or more flexible materials without compromising product protection. Examples include lightweight PET bottles and the use of additives like starch and cavitation agents.
- Utilizing right-sizing technologies to minimize excess material.
The Right Package Helps Different Industries
The impact spans beyond the home kitchen. Here's a quick rundown:
|
Farmers |
Transit or storage can damage fresh produce. Premium packs, like protective trays or flow wrap, can keep fruits and vegetables safe from bruising and spoilage. This means fewer meals get tossed before reaching the grocery store. |
|
Retailers |
Supermarkets and grocery stores face their own challenges regarding meal waste. Expired or damaged goods have to be thrown out. Temperature-controlled packs and better inventory tracking through smarter packs can ensure more edibles are sold rather than wasted. |
|
Restaurants |
Takeout containers, like compostable boxes or insulated bags, help keep food fresh until they reach the customer. Portion-controlled packages can prevent excess food from being discarded at the end of a meal. |
Premium Packaging Innovations to Reduce FLW
Active packages incorporate technology that extends shelf life. By releasing or absorbing specific compounds, they inhibit processes like lipid oxidation, microbial growth, and moisture loss, thereby reducing spoilage. Biodegradable, edible layers can provide effective barriers against oxygen and grease.
Smart packing materials incorporate sensors that monitor conditions within and around a product, such as temperature and pH. They improve safety systems like HACCP and QACCP by providing real-time data. This enables the timely detection of unsafe products, the identification of health hazards, and the development of strategies to mitigate risk.
Meal Wraps for Environmentally-Friendly Options
For recommendations, below are the top-favourite options for your business or household storage.
|
Product |
Quantity |
Price |
|
38oz Microwaveable PP White Rectangular Container W/ Lid |
150 sets |
$48.95 |
|
24oz White Round Container with Lid |
150 sets |
$37.95 |
|
Plastic Zip Lock Bags |
100 units |
$55.00 |
|
Matte Stand-Up Foil Pouches - White/Clear (4oz) |
100 units |
$13.88 |
No More FLW with The Right Packaging
The specific role of packaging products in preventing FLW remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. The negative environmental, social, and economic consequences of FLW are undeniable. Reducing plastic is not the only solution. Sustainable long-term relationships and smart green practices in packing products will have a better outcome.
Do you own a restaurant or a grocery? You can check Patek Packaging. We follow green practices by offering sustainable and eco-friendly bulk containers for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a package premium?
It entails innovation, distinctiveness, advanced technology, and the use of high-quality materials. These values come together to create a strong, marketable brand image. Beyond all these values, it also delivers memorable unboxing experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Can consumer behaviour affect the advancement in innovative packing techniques?
Consumer understanding and acceptance of new technologies depend on their knowledge, awareness, interest, and appreciation. This complex consumer-packaging relationship hinders the effective implementation of food-saving practices.
Numerous studies emphasize the need for consumer education programs to communicate these innovative technologies' benefits effectively.
Can zero-packaging stores solve pollution problem?
Not necessarily. Zero-waste grocery stores promote the use of reusable containers. Allowing customers to purchase only the amount they need demonstrates that it can help FLW. One aspect that can't help is the preservation or extension of shelf life in stores.