Alternatives to Plastic Food & Drink Packaging

The food and beverage industry has been heavily criticised in the past for its use of plastic. Considering a lot of the packaging for food items is single-use, using plastic as the main material is highly damaging to the environment and it’s time for the industry to reduce their carbon footprint and go plastic-free.

There are other benefits to ditching the plastic too. A survey conducted by Populus revealed that 91% of the UK supports the idea of having products be free from plastic packaging. On top of that, the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) strategy comes into force this July which means that the estimated environmental costs associated with a product and its lifecycle will be charged to businesses. This could be particularly costly for companies with a turnover above £2m and who supply 50 tonnes or more of packaging, as they will be required to present data on all the packaging they use and pay towards recycling costs and/or disposal. As we all know, plastic is a long-lasting material and is therefore much harder to recycle or dispose of. It is therefore even more important for businesses to reassess the recyclability of the packaging they use and ditch the plastic for good!

Eco-Friendly Food & Drink Packaging Ideas

For many in the industry, using plastic for food and drink packaging has often seemed like the only option. The good news is that there are many sustainable alternatives.

Fibre-based Composites

On-the-go drinks and takeaway food containers are often the cause of unnecessary environmental damage. They’re single-use and difficult to recycle. However, there has been a rise in the use of fibre-based composites for storing food and drink items.

Fibre-based composites are essentially paperboard or paper fibres that are then laminated with plastic and/or other laminated materials. Of course, we want to avoid plastic so there is the option to choose natural fibres, usually derived from plants. This makes the packaging biodegradable, lightweight and has zero impact on the environment. It’s a great alternative to plastic for your on-the-go products, but it is worth noting that they are usually not long-lasting, making them the perfect choice for single-use.

Cardboard Boxes

Switching out plastic for cardboard isn’t a groundbreaking revelation, but hear us out. You already know that cardboard boxes are easy to recycle and more sustainable, however, many businesses still don’t recognise how they can be used for their food and drink products. Perhaps the fear is that cardboard just isn’t as durable or protective as plastic. Well, there are multiple ways to ensure your products are protected.

For smaller items such as cupcakes, inserts are great for keeping your products in place. For fresh items, greaseproof paper to line the boxes prevents damage to the box itself. Cardboard boxes are even a suitable option for heavier items. Here at ASC Direct, our ecommerce postal boxes are single-walled corrugated cardboard, meaning they’re extra sturdy and able to withstand more weight.

Whatever you’re selling, cardboard is the ideal eco-friendly packaging choice.

Promote Reuse

Packaging is seen as something disposable, particularly in the food and drink industry. We empty the contents and then chuck the packaging in the bin. If you have to use plastic or another difficult-to-recycle material, you should think about promoting reuse of your packaging. You could do this by allowing your customers to send the packaging back to you to be washed out and reused, in exchange you could offer a small discount off their next purchase. This promotes loyalty and customer retention while also helping the environment.

Creative Design

The joy of using a cheaper material such as cardboard for your packaging means you can afford to mix it up and be more creative with your design choices. Whether that’s introducing a unique box shape, like a pizza slice or food truck, or your own branding to the box’s exterior. You could choose to do a seasonal design or even something more personalised. The options are endless and you can work alongside a cardboard box manufacturer like ASC Direct to perfect your packaging design.

The Future of Food and Drink Packaging

It’s clear the future of food and drink packaging is plastic-free. Whether you want to get ahead of the game and avoid those EPR costs or want to reduce your business’s carbon footprint, there are so many options available that are sustainable and effective.

James Palfrey-Smith is the Commercial Manager at ASC Direct with extensive experience in both operations and sales. James is passionate about solving packaging problems, delivering fast customer support, and building lasting relationships. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. A fan of real ale and business podcasts, he continuously seeks personal and professional growth. 

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