Employing nearly 75,000 workers in the US, the foodservice packaging manufacturing industry experienced strong growth in 2022 spurred by increasing consumer demand for pick-up casual fare along with grocery grab-and-go. Grocery stores, in particular, are increasing their meals-to-go offerings based on increasing demand for wider food choice selections.
As the industry responds to this increasing demand, it is also under pressure to continue its environmental innovations in foodservice packaging materials.
What is driving innovations in foodservice packaging materials
The COVID pandemic caused some disruptions in the foodservice packaging supply chain showing manufacturers and food producers that innovations in versatility and flexibility are important to enable a smoother supply chain.
The desire for flexibility has resulted in innovative packaging that can handle multiple use cases such as those made from molded fiber materials which can accommodate anything from a carton of eggs to prepared takeaway foods and even shipment packaging for wine bottles.
Inflation is another factor stimulating the need for more affordable packaging as increasingly discerning cost-conscious consumers shift to favor drive-through orders vs. what appears to be a flattening demand for food delivery. As the price of consumer goods goes up, retailers and restaurants are seeking cost-cutting options for items like bags, straws, and food packaging.
What consumers want from foodservice packaging
Foodservice Packaging Institute’s 2021 Consumer survey revealed the top 4 most important environmental attributes consumers consider when it comes to food purchases and their packaging:
- Recyclable
- Compostable
- Made with recycled materials
- Made using renewable resources
When it comes to the most important foodservice packaging attributes, 64% of consumers expect the packaging to be leak/spill proof and 60% want foodservice packaging to prevent oil and grease stains.
Overall, the need for innovations in foodservice packaging materials due to consumer preference and economic factors has resulted in terrific developments that are manufacturer, consumer, and environmentally friendly.
Innovations in recyclable foodservice packaging materials
It is no surprise that recyclability is the number one most important environmental attribute that consumers prefer when it comes to foodservice packaging. With most local governments providing or supporting some kind of recycling program, consumers have become accustomed to considering the disposal of packaging when making a purchase.
Restaurants have also largely taken the plunge on recycling programs by offering recycling bins at fast food and QSRs.
The prevalence of recycling in society has influenced the manufacture of a larger variety of foodservice packaging materials, increasing the overall recyclability of foodservice packaging. The recyclable criteria for packaging in the State of California, for example, states that recyclable materials must be collected by at least sixty percent of recycling centers statewide.
Numerous recyclable materials are used in the manufacture of foodservice packaging including molded fiber, bagasse, paper, polystyrene foam, and single-use plastics made from polyethylene and polypropylene. They are commonly used for:
- Molded fiber egg cartons, food trays, carry-out containers
- Bagasse bags, totes, clamshell containers, bowls, plates
- Paper shopping bags, totes, bakery bags
- Polystyrene foam plates, cups, clamshell containers
- Polyethylene lids, frozen packaging, squeezable bottles, bottle caps, umbrella bags
- Polypropylene single-use cups
The wide variety of recyclable materials ensures that foodservice establishments and grocers have many options available to suit their use case and to match their brand aesthetic.
Innovations in compostable foodservice packaging materials
As the preferences for more sustainable waste management grows, so has composting. More people are composting at home and commercial composting is expected to become a $9.2 billion industry in 2024 based on a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.
There are currently less than 200 commercial composting centers in the US but that is expected to grow as more foodservice packaging materials become compostable.
Some of the most popular compostable packaging materials are made from molded fiber, bagasse, cornstarch, PHA, and PLA.
Compostable molded fiber packaging
Molded fiber is increasingly popular not only for its compostability and the fact that it is made from consumer waste, but because it is a highly flexible foodservice packaging material.
Made from natural fibers, molded fiber can be made into an array of shapes and sizes perfect for shipping electronics to serving and storing deli foods. Its compostability makes it perfect for at-home and commercial composting.
Compostable bagasse foodservice packaging
Made from 100% biodegradable and sustainable materials, bagasse is used to make bags, containers, bowls, plates, and trays.
Compostable cornstarch foodservice packaging
Like bagasse, cornstarch packaging materials are also 100% biodegradable and compostable and are made from natural plant materials. The striking benefit of cornstarch-made packaging is that it is sturdy and plastic-like. For foodservice providers that are seeking to mimic plastic and its attributes but with a fully eco-friendly alternative, cornstarch foodservice packaging materials are the perfect choice.
PHA & PLA Compostable straws
One of the more newsworthy topics on environmentally friendly foodservice packaging has to do with straws. Leading the charge to eliminate plastic straws was the State of California, who, in the year 2019, legislated that restaurants, food trucks, and food kiosks could no longer hand out plastic straws automatically. Instead, consumers would have to specifically request one.
This led to the interest in manufacturing straws that would still be as useful as plastic straws but be environmentally-friendly. Compostable straws, made from PLA and Marine-degradable PHA, took center stage.
100% plastic-free PHA, made from Polyhydroxyalkanoate, is an eco-friendly material made from canola oil.
Learn more about the various types of compostable food packaging.
Innovations in foodservice packaging made from recycled materials
There are many recycled materials that can be used to make foodservice packaging including bagasse, molded fiber, paper, polystyrene foam, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
It is not enough for packaging materials to “be recyclable”- it’s also important that the items actually are recycled. As more materials are classified as recyclable, more recycling programs and centers will follow suit to ensure that as much material as possible ends up recycled.
Innovations in foodservice packaging made from renewable materials
Sustainability is a core factor for environmentally-friendly consumer preferences. Foodservice packaging made from 100% renewable materials is growing in use and includes packaging materials made from paper, bagasse, and cornstarch.
Bagasse, made from the waste of sugarcane manufacturing, is one material that has such a wide array of uses that you may be using it without realizing it! One of the most popular uses is bagasse bags which are an aesthetically pleasing, sturdier alternative to plastic bags.
Cornstarch packaging is manufactured with PLA (Polylactic acid) and can be easily molded into many shapes. Because it is 100% plant based, it is highly renewable and uses manufacturing waste that would otherwise be disposed of.
The benefits of innovations in foodservice packaging materials
As consumers continue to appreciate the convenience of to-go restaurant orders and grocery grab-and-go meals, the foodservice packaging industry is responding to meet the need. However, the importance of eco-friendly manufacturing and waste disposal is a paramount concern.
Continued innovations that drive increasing sustainability, recyclability, and compostability of foodservice packaging materials means that a collective effort is underway to help protect and preserve our environment. These innovation efforts will also help drive down the cost of packaging materials, based on economies of scale.
Contact Servous for Packaging for Your Foodservice Business
Servous remains at the forefront of trends in foodservice packaging. We’re specialists in wholesale packaging including sustainable, biodegradable, renewable and compostable options for the discerning business and their customers.
Our experts are here to help you determine the right packaging to fit your needs and your budget as well as can provide any customization or branding that you require.
Reach out today to see how Servous can provide the best foodservice packaging materials for your business!
