In food and beverage packaging, the primary role is to act as a barrier that protects contents from pathogens and contaminants while maintaining an environment that prevents microbial growth and product spoilage. This helps extend the shelf life of products such as off-season fruits and vegetables that travel long distances, reducing food waste. Despite these benefits, the reliance on plastics in packaging is problematic.
The Problem with Plastics
Plastics are favored for their versatility, offering properties like gas and water vapor permeability, durability, and transparency. However, they pose significant environmental challenges.
Primarily derived from fossil fuels, plastic production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, only a small portion of plastics is recycled, with most ending up in landfills, being incinerated, or littering natural habitats.
Reducing Plastic Use in Packaging
Recognizing the environmental impact of conventional plastics, which make up 40% of all plastic usage, several initiatives aim to reduce their presence in packaging.
In 2018, the UK Government announced a tax on plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content, encouraging the use of recycled materials.
Further initiatives, such as the 25 Year Environment Plan, aim for zero avoidable plastic waste by 2042, while the UK Plastics Pact seeks to make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
These measures are supported by strategies to increase recycling rates and improve waste management infrastructure, crucial steps for reducing the environmental footprint of packaging.
The Emergence of Bio-Based Packaging Materials
Amid the move away from fossil-based plastics, bio-based materials have gained attention. Derived from natural sources like plants, animals, or fungi, these materials offer a more sustainable alternative.
They typically produce fewer greenhouse gases during production and are often biodegradable or compostable. However, “biodegradable” and “compostable” have specific meanings.
Biodegradable materials break down naturally over time but may not disintegrate quickly or completely, potentially forming microplastics. Compostable materials, on the other hand, decompose within specific conditions and timeframes, particularly in industrial composting facilities.
These attributes align with environmental goals but also highlight the complexities of fully transitioning away from conventional plastics.
Opportunities and Challenges with Bio-Based Food Contact Materials
The shift towards bio-based food contact materials (BBFCMs) such as paper, bamboo, chitin from shellfish, and seaweed-based products presents exciting opportunities.
These materials reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigate some environmental impacts associated with traditional plastic production.
However, BBFCMs also come with challenges.
They must meet stringent safety standards to prevent chemicals from migrating into food, a significant concern when these materials contact food and beverages.
Additionally, while BBFCMs like bioplastics—derived from natural polymers or synthesized through microbial processes—offer functionalities comparable to conventional plastics, not all are biodegradable, and their environmental benefits can vary widely.
A Path to Sustainability in Food and Drink Packaging
The transition from fossil-based to bio-based packaging materials is a crucial step towards sustainability in the food and drink industry. This shift needs to have careful consideration when it comes to material properties, impacts on environment, and also potential health risks.
Continued innovation, robust regulatory frameworks, and consumer education will be essential to fully realize the benefits of alternative packaging solutions.
These efforts involve not just replacing one material with another but rethinking our approach to packaging to ensure a sustainable future.
