Is Paper Packaging More Effective Than Plastic for Food Products?

The environmental impact of plastic waste has emerged as a critical global concern, with the food industry playing a substantial role in contributing to this issue.

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in replacing plastic with paper-based materials in food packaging. For instance, Nestlé, a prominent company, has unveiled a packaging transformation for one of its iconic products, KitKat. Moreover, they’ve transitioned their complete Smarties product line to paper packaging.

Paper-based packaging is generally regarded as a more eco-friendly substitute for plastic because of its biodegradability and potential for recycling or composting. However, the question remains: can paper-based food packaging surpass plastic in terms of functionality, cost-efficiency, and durability?

In this article, we delve into the exploration of whether paper-based alternatives represent the superior, long-term solution in comparison to traditional plastic packaging.

Food products require effective protection and preservation beyond paper packaging.

Paper-based packaging has made significant advancements in recent years, especially in safeguarding food items.

Corrugated board, for instance, has emerged as a popular choice for transporting fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. The process of bonding its layers involves high-temperature treatments that eliminate bacteria, and its recyclability discourages repeated use, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

In recent years, many manufacturers have embraced aseptic paper packaging. This involves sterilizing both the food products and the packaging itself through a heated hydrogen peroxide bath. This method ensures that products like milk, coffee, and fruits and vegetables remain fresher for longer, as it eliminates the possibility of pathogens contaminating the contents.

However, it’s important to note that paper packaging for food products is often laminated with layers of aluminum or plastic to serve as a barrier against oxygen and water vapor. Additionally, paper makes up approximately 26% of landfill waste, despite being highly recyclable and reusable. This raises questions about the overall sustainability of paper packaging.

So, while paper-based packaging alternatives may initially appear as the most eco-friendly choice, brands must carefully consider whether paper packaging’s sustainability merits can outweigh other challenges.

Is paper packaging a more economically viable choice?

Among the array of packaging materials available, plastic stands out as the most cost-effective option for manufacturers. Surprisingly, it takes a staggering 3.4 times more energy to produce 1,000 paper bags than their plastic counterparts, making plastic an attractive choice in terms of production costs.

However, a significant shift in consumer attitudes, particularly among younger generations, has amplified the demand for sustainable packaging, notably paper-based solutions. Recent surveys reveal that a remarkable 86% of consumers aged under 45 are willing to pay extra for products that are packaged in an eco-friendly manner.

In April 2022, the United Kingdom took a pioneering step by introducing a plastic packaging tax (PPT). Several European Union countries, including Italy and Spain, have adopted similar policies. This tax levies a fee of £200 per tonne on any plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled plastic content, a move aimed at curbing the use of non-recycled plastics.

The United States is also contemplating the implementation of its own PPT, mirroring the efforts of these nations. This potential tax would act as a deterrent for manufacturers, pushing them towards more sustainable materials and consequently reducing plastic pollution over the long run.

Furthermore, there’s a growing momentum towards the comprehensive ban on single-use plastics. Prominent actions include the U.S. Interior Department’s ambitious plans to phase out the sale of single-use plastic products in national parks and public lands by 2032.

Collectively, these initiatives are poised to make alternatives like paper-based packaging more attractive, not only environmentally but also from a business perspective.

To what extent does paper packaging uphold brand identity?

A recent worldwide survey revealed that 75% of businesses have embraced sustainable packaging. While sustainability is crucial, companies must also maintain the integrity of their packaging design and user-friendliness.

Prioritizing ease of use for customers should be the primary consideration when opting for sustainable packaging for products.

Similarly, opting for a material that diminishes the brand’s style might provoke negative reactions. An illustrative case is when Nestlé altered its Quality Street wrappers to be more environmentally friendly, resulting in a drab color scheme that left fans outraged.

Paper packaging represents just one sustainable choice for food products.

Although paper is among the most easily recyclable materials in the United States, boasting a 68.2% recycling rate, a mere 20.8% of paper containers and packaging are actually recycled. This discrepancy can be attributed, in part, to a concerning phenomenon known as “wishcycling.” Wishcycling occurs when people toss items into the recycling bin that cannot actually be recycled. This is typically done with the best intentions, hoping that these items will find a second life, but it often achieves the opposite outcome.

Wishcycling leads to the inclusion of non-recyclable waste or recyclable materials that are tainted and, therefore, unsuitable for recycling. To be successfully recycled, items must be free from contaminants, such as food residue. Paper food packaging is especially vulnerable to this issue since it’s often more challenging to clean compared to plastic or glass containers.

Numerous innovations have emerged in the realm of sustainable packaging materials. Compostable corn starch, for instance, has proven to be a viable option for crafting plates and trays, offering an excellent substitute for polystyrene takeaway containers that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Furthermore, even unconventional sources like mushrooms and avocado seeds have entered the packaging arena, with the intriguing prospect of using avocado seeds as a replacement for plastic. What sets these materials apart is their biodegradability and compostability, significantly reducing the space required for disposal compared to conventional plastic packaging.

So, does paper packaging have the potential to outperform plastic in the food industry?

Paper undoubtedly serves as a valuable packaging material. However, AT PACK is exploring more imaginative and open-minded avenues when searching for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.

The future promises an array of breakthroughs in sustainable materials, which will likely revolutionize the way we package food. Nonetheless, until these novel technologies undergo rigorous practical testing, it may still be some time before the industry widely adopts 100% alternative food packaging materials.