Can Packaging Solve the Food Waste Problem?

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects report, the current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to surpass 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.1 billion in 2100. These numbers show that by 2050, we’ll need to feed over 2 billion more people. According to National Geographic, some experts say that we’ll need to double crop production by 2050 to meet the demand. An increase in food will mean an increase in food waste if action is not taken.

What many consumers don’t realize is food waste is the largest single material in landfills across the US and is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states that an estimated one-third of all food produced globally is either lost or wasted and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that in the U.S. over one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. Governments are looking for ways to reduce food waste. In 2015, the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first ever domestic goal to reduce food loss and waste by half by the year 2030. Twenty-five corporations, including Ahold Delhaizem Yum! Brands, Conagra Brands, Sodexo, Walmart, Blue Apron and Pepsico have signed onto the government program, "2030 Champions Program," committing to reduce food waste created by their operations by 50% by 2030.

“Grocery store meal greenhouse gas emissions are 33% higher than meal kits.” (TWEET THIS)

In order to meet these goals, solutions to reduce food waste must be utilized. These solutions include standardized date labeling, consumer education, packaging adjustments, and spoilage prevention packaging. Current date labeling can cause confusion as there are a variety of phrases used. Consumers’ misunderstanding of date labels is estimated to account for 20% of consumer waste of safe, edible food. Educating consumers is another was to reduce food waste. If consumers understand how to properly store perishable foods, and more, they can take responsibility for the food waste they produce.

Education may also lead to consumer acceptance of increased packaging to reduce food waste. With current technology, one of the best-known solutions to food waste is optimizing, and potentially increasing packaging. The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN), published a report of their study on food packaging as a strategy to prevent food waste in America. One of the key conclusions from this work is that packaging is an under-utilized solution that could significantly reduce food waste. The study shows that globally, the more food that is packaged, the less food that is going to waste. However, consumers have a growing awareness and desire for sustainable products and packaging. So, the material used for packaging foods could matter in reducing food waste. This can also present a problem in attempting to prevent food waste, but some companies are looking for solutions.

Meal Kits Could Be the Answer

The meal kit industry is one where education about increased food packaging and packaging adjustments could lead to a great decrease in food waste. A meal kit includes pre-portioned and sometimes partially-prepared food ingredients with a recipe that the consumer prepares at home. Giving the consumer the exact amount they can consume means that no food should go to waste.

IPG's eco-friendly Chill-R insulated packaging

A study published in the journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling compared various aspects of grocery-store versus meal-kit dishes, including food waste, energy requirements, emissions from transportation and more. They found that each meal kit significantly cut down on food waste because each ingredient was precisely measured and, “on average, grocery store meal greenhouse gas emissions are 33% higher than meal kits.”

Now, it is also important to think of the meal kit packaging, which can be harmful to the environment as well. Meal kit companies need to choose the correct environmentally-friendly cold chain solution to appeal to the increasingly-aware consumer. There is curbside recyclable and repulpable paper insulated packaging that can be used to create less packaging waste from meal kits overall.

Other Packaging Solutions

Tackling the problem of food waste is no small feat, but solutions are being developed. The meal kit industry is not the only one looking for solutions. The Eurpoean Union is funding multiple projects to reduce food waste: NanoPack is developing an active packaging film with antimicrobial properties and YPACK is currently developing a fully recyclable flow pack film and a fully biodegradable packaging tray using by-products that would usually go to waste such as unpurified cheese whey and almond shells. Grocery chain, Kroger, is also looking to reduce food waste by partnering with Apeel to bring longer lasting avocados and other produce to its stores. With a rapidly growing population and the need for more food, companies and governments are looking to packaging for solutions to the food waste problem.