Sustainable Packaging
In an ideal world the term Sustainable Packaging would meet a criteria of having been sourced responsibly, made from and with renewable energy and has the same performance and similar cost to that of ordinary packaging forms. Although demand for this is high, it still seems unobtainable until we take a look at some everyday items that have made notable effort to have a very small carbon footprint.
All food products pose the risk of, without the right packaging, contamination or food poisoning and all the liabilities involved seem pointless to confront. In being realistic, there must be some packaging to cover these bare minimums although the context of minimal varies drastically between brands and companies.
All food products pose the risk of, without the right packaging, contamination or food poisoning and all the liabilities involved seem pointless to confront. In being realistic, there must be some packaging to cover these bare minimums although the context of minimal varies drastically between brands and companies.
These three brands help demonstrate how packaging can vary and the scale of good and bad that is currently on the market. The Merci brand is an example of over packaging (see Unsustainable Packaging) Just Organic Fair Trade uses the bare basics for packaging and the outer shell/cardboard is recyclable. This minimalist packaging is also a key because after all, the less the better, no matter how sustainable it may propose to be.
Chocolate is a luxury item but this does not mean that we have the luxury of all the packaging that it seems to entail.
An excellent example of sustainable packaging and a brand that have a very good reputation because of it, is Loving Earth Organics. Their raw organic chocolate range states that its packaging is 'printed with vegetable inks on board with 80% post consumer recycled fibre. The inner wrapper is also plant based and NOT plastic so please put it in your compost.' The back of the cardboard also clearly promotes recycling and is very specific on where the ingredients are sourced from. This level of care and involvement needs to be put into all products, not just the odd ones here and there that then seem ridiculously priced in comparison.
There are ways that at least by compromise, will get us step by step, closer towards a Zero Waste Future and eradication of 'over' packaging. Smart packaging or minimalising the amount of it will at least help us reach a middle margin of less waste and less cost.
An excellent example of sustainable packaging and a brand that have a very good reputation because of it, is Loving Earth Organics. Their raw organic chocolate range states that its packaging is 'printed with vegetable inks on board with 80% post consumer recycled fibre. The inner wrapper is also plant based and NOT plastic so please put it in your compost.' The back of the cardboard also clearly promotes recycling and is very specific on where the ingredients are sourced from. This level of care and involvement needs to be put into all products, not just the odd ones here and there that then seem ridiculously priced in comparison.
There are ways that at least by compromise, will get us step by step, closer towards a Zero Waste Future and eradication of 'over' packaging. Smart packaging or minimalising the amount of it will at least help us reach a middle margin of less waste and less cost.
An example of smart packaging are these Knoppers that instead of accompanying their product with yet another cardboard they simply use a sticker to join the individual snacks together. Thinking smart and being aware of consumer choices all contribute to helping cut down on our waste problems.