Packaging
materials account for approximately 65% of the global solid waste. Out of the
total 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste generated over the past seven decades,
only 9% has been recycled, 12% has been incinerated, and remaining strands
either on landfills, or in the aquatic ecosystems. The plastic pollution caused
by tremendous use of single-use plastic films, which are neither eco-friendly nor
recyclable are creating graving concerns for our environment. The annual
plastic waste in oceans could exceed more than 53 million metric tons per year
by 2030 across the world, according to a report by National Academy of
Sciences.
Several
industries in the food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, etc. rely on
plastics such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene
Terephthalate (PET), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High-Density Polyethylene
(HDPE), primarily for packaging, that stay for a longer duration without
decomposing. Concerns around the generation of micro-and nano-plastics are also
becoming prevalent since the human exposure to these toxins through food
packaging can lead to an array of health problems Hence, many big players in
the modern food and beverage industry are implementing changes to make
packaging more eco-friendly for many reasons, including corporate social
responsibility, lower carbon footprints, and reduce waste. Moreover, sustainable
packaging has been rapidly becoming a big selling point for many brands as
consumers are being more aware of the environmental hazards of the plastic
pollution.
Many
new food packaging technologies are being developed that are formulated with
natural compounds by substituting synthetic/chemical antimicrobial and
antioxidant agents. Eco-friendly packaging is often made from bioplastics or
plant-based extracts such as wheat, wood, or bamboo, which are free of any
hazardous or synthetic chemicals. Smart packaging is a game changer in reducing
and eliminating food wastage as it offers many advantages of manufacturers as
well as consumers. Active packaging, intelligent packaging, and connected
packaging are three kinds of smart packaging being employed by companies to
reduce food wastage, maintain food safety, and digitize the food supply chain. Active
packaging reduces plastic pollution by the incorporation of biodegradable
edible packaging layers with good oxygen and grease-barrier properties. Intelligent
packaging enables monitoring of the food environment inside and outside the package,
which allows the onsite detection of unsafe food products and thus reduce food
wastage.
Walmart
Launches Circular Connector- A Database of Packaging Innovations
In
2016, Walmart embraced the idea of using 100% recyclable packaging for its
private brands, with the goal of reaching the mark by 2025. In 2019, the retail
giant shifted its focus to incorporate reusable and industrially compostable
packaging in the mix and utilize at least 17% of post-consumer recycled content
for its private brands. By 2022, Walmart has managed to reach 55% of its
overall packaging goal, however reducing the amount of material for any
physical item has also become a big focus for the company. The company’s
single-use macaroni and cheese containers are made from fiber-based cartons
that are eco-friendly and compostable. The company has also eliminated the
small plastic windows in some packaging, which let consumers peek inside the
item, instead placing images on paper versions. In April 2022, the company
launched Circular Connector initiative to bridge the gap between companies
searching for more sustainable packaging ideas and those that offer them. The
platform will help accelerate packaging innovations and their quick implementation,
which could enable everyone to move faster towards waste reduction. Recently,
the U.S. Plastics Pact collaborated with Walmart’s Circular Connector to ensure
that business keep plastic packaging in the economy and out of the environment
by eliminating problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging and taking other
actions.