4 MIN READ
9-3-2024
Industry Pioneers: Cutting-Edge Sustainability Practices Transforming F&B
Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder
Industry Pioneers: Cutting-Edge Sustainability Practices Transforming F&B
Every year, the world generates an astounding 450 million tonnes of plastic. When not properly managed, this waste becomes an environmental pollutant, with an estimated one to two million tonnes ending up in or ocecans annually. The culprits? Food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and take-out containers, all made of plastic, were among the top 10 kinds of trash picked up during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup.
The food and beverage (F&B) industry, a significant contributor to this issue, relies heavily on plastic for its affordability and ability to protect food from contaminants and extend its shelf life. However, a review article published in the Journal of Cleaner Production indicates that most companies in the F&B sector do not directly acknowledge plastic pollution as a problem. The transition to sustainable packaging has been slow, lagging behind the global increase in plastic pollution. But some industy pioneers are addressing the plastic crisis though solutions such as packaging design innovation and stakeholder engagement.
Sustainable Packaging Strategies
The F&B industry has seen a surge in the use of biodegradable and recyclable materials in packaging, with a focus on recycled plastics like PET, HDPE, an PP. Lighter plastic packaging not only trims shipping costs but also aligns with the broader sustainability goals of the industry. Leading global brands like Coca Cola, Pepsico, Nestle, and Danone have made significant strides in adopting such packaging.
In addition to these established solutions, cutting-edge innovations are emerging, such as edible packaging and biodegradable plastics. For instance, New York-based Loliware is creating flavored straws from seaweed and red algae that behave like plastic for 24 hours once wet, but degrade in the environment within two months.
Arcos Dorados, the world's largest McDonald's franchise, recently announced its use of J&J Green Paper's 'all-natural' barrier coating on its paper food packaging. This move aims to phase out plastics, PFAS chemicals, and consumer waste in the fast-food sector. The JANUS coating is reportedly 100% biodegradable, home-compostable, repulpable, and recyclable. It seeks to replace the standard petroleum-derived polyethylene coating and avoid the health and environmental impacts of single-use plastics and PFAS chemicals.
Driving Stakeholder Engagement on Plastic Waste Topics
Some companies are going beyond shifting their own practices and are driving awareness and engagement on plastic waste topics. Walmart, one of the world's leading retailers, has launched initiatives to involve suppliers and other stakeholders in climate action. Project Gigaton, initiated by Walmart in 2017, aims to reduce one billion metric tons of greenhouse gasses from the global value chain by 2030. As part of this initiative, Walmart established new sustainable packaging guidelines that their suppliers are expected to adhere to, ensuring that products reach consumers in packaging that is environmentally responsible. These best practices can be found in the form of their comprehensive guide The Walmart Sustainable Packaging Playbook.
Walmart's Circulator Connector is a tool developed to bridge the gap between those needing sustainable packaging solutions and those offering them. Sustainable packaging information can be submitted to Walmart for evaluation, and that packaging could be considered for use by their Walmart Private Brands.
Recently, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, together with partners Nestlé and Tetra Pak, hosted a nationwide event in Switzerland to highlight promising approaches in sustainable packaging materials and drive further innovation through new collaborations. This event brought together 60+ Swiss and European partners. They published a post-event report summarizing the key insights and learnings in an effort to make sustainable packaging accessible to all and help tackle the plastic problem.
As we witness the rise of pioneering innovations and stakeholder engagement, they serve as reminders that the path to a plastic-free future is not only possible, but is already being paved by those willing to challenge the status quo.