Irene Gonzalez, Origin Green, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board
It is known that plastic used across international value chains for food and beverage packaging currently represents two thirds of the world’s plastic waste. After the Ellen MacArthur Foundation published their report last year with the disquieting claim ‘there will be more waste plastic in the sea than fish by 2050’, plastic waste has become an irrefutable concern among consumers.
Bord Bia Insights Team have identified this phenomena in the new Consumer lifestyle trends ‘Responsible living’, showing a growing consumer desire for products that are easily recyclable; repurposable, and designed to involve less waste in the first place. That has ignited advances and innovation in packaging materials with less ecological impact and also clever product designs embedded into circular business models.
Such concern is also impacting the food service sector. It is becoming trendier to use compostable takeaway boxes, cups or cutely, especially in local food stall markets and event catering. Some countries are taking this very seriously; in France, a new law coming into effect in 2020 which is part of the Energy Transition for Green Growth, will ban all the plastic cups, cutlery and plates and will only allow compostable and biologically-sourced alternatives.
Compostable take away containers and cutlery seem to be the ideal substitute for plastic. Besides, some of these new eco-materials have a surprisingly ‘plastic’ appearance but with the particularity that they will fully break down and convert into nutrient-rich soil in 8 to 12 weeks. This is the case of PLA or polylactic acid, a plant based natural plastic made from corn starch that is transparent, making it ideal for deli pots or juice cups. Another interesting proposal for composting discarded tableware and cups are the ones made from a mix of natural fibres, including reed, bagasse (the waste fibre from pressing sugar cane), straw and wood pulp. An innovative example to substitute disposable cutlery is the edible cutlery designed by an Indian entrepreneur Narayana Peesapaty. It is made with a blend of millet, rice and wheat flours and it comes in three different flavours (plain, sweet, or spicy). This edible cutlery has a shelf life of three years and decomposes within four-five days if not used!
Consumer’s expectations continue to grow for food producers, food service and retailers to minimise their negative environmental impact and make a positive contribution to solving global problems. Is your business already in the loop?