All About Sustainable Packaging

As a produce grower or packer, you know the success of your business depends on the quality of your produce and protecting it from shipping. But with consumers becoming more eco-conscious, you are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable packaging practices. Because of this, sustainable packaging becomes a very important consideration.

So, how do you reduce your environmental impact while protecting your produce and reducing food waste?

The answer you’re looking for may be plastic packaging and in this blog post we’ll explain why!

What’s Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging is also known as eco-friendly packaging and it’s just that. It’s safe for the environment, able to be recycled easily, and safe for people.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about sustainable packaging and what is actually sustainable.

For example, corrugated cardboard boxes are not able to be recycled (although cardboard can be) because the lining of the inside is made from polypropylene plastic substrate. Corrugated cardboard boxes end up in landfill, making it non-eco-friendly.

Plastic on the other hand is considered sustainable because it is reusable and able to be recycled to be reused. 

What are the benefits of sustainable packaging?

There are several benefits when it comes to sustainable packaging. The reduction of food waste is a major one. Oftentimes, produce is damaged or spoiled in transit due to improper or weak storage containers. You need to have the right protective packaging in order to prevent losses of your produce.

Plastic packaging can help protect your produce from damage and keep it fresh longer, reducing the amount of food waste.

Another benefit of sustainable packaging is environmental protection. Many traditional forms of packaging, like corrugated cardboard and styrofoam, are made from non-renewable materials or are difficult to recycle & dispose of properly.

By switching to sustainable packaging like plastic, you’re reducing your carbon footprint by using a reusable material that can be recycled.

What is the right sustainable packaging for me?

Plastic packaging is one type of sustainable material that has become increasingly popular with growers and packers due to its durability, affordability, and ability to keep produce fresher, longer.

Plastic is also a great choice because it can be recycled or used again after the first use - just make sure you properly sort and clean plastic containers before recycling them! Additionally, plastic holds well against temperature changes during shipping, reducing produce spoilage and saving you money.

By making the switch to sustainable packaging, as a grower or packer, you can reduce your environmental impact, while also protecting your produce.

Ask the Industry Plastic team today about FriendlyBox and how it can help your business be more sustainable!