Sustainable Packaging Takes a Bite Out of Waste with Edible Packaging Wraps and Containers

 

Edible Packaging 

Saving the Environment One Snack at a Time

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, many are looking to reduce their plastic waste and carbon footprint. One innovative solution gaining traction is edible packaging - wrapping and containers made from ingredients like fruits, vegetables, grains and other edible materials that can be eaten along with or separately from the product inside. Edible packaging offers a tasty alternative to single-use plastics while cutting down on food waste.

Natural Alternatives to Plastic Wrap and Bags

Several companies are developing Edible Packaging films that can replace plastic wrap and bags. For example, Notpla in the UK creates wrappers and pouches from seaweed that dissolve harmlessly in water. Their wrappers have been used for snacks, candy and fast food and can keep products fresh just as long as plastic. Another UK startup, Apiquire, makes stretchy wraps and bags from beeswax and resins produced by bees. The wrappings are completely edible and even add a subtle honey flavor. In Israel, Tipa has developed moldable films made from cornstarch, cassava and coconut water that serve as clamshell containers and plastic overwraps for everything from bakery items to pitted olives. As natural and renewable resources, these edible wrappers are more sustainable alternatives to oil-based plastics.

Fruit and Vegetable Based Packaging

Beyond seaweed and bee products, many edible films leverage the abundant byproducts of fruit and vegetable processing. One company crafting fruit leather-like wraps is Kiverdi in California. They upcycle citrus pulp left over from juice production into peel-and-eat wrappers for granola bars, cookies and other handheld foods. The zesty citrus wrappers add flavor while reducing packaging waste. An Israeli startup called WikiCell has a different take - they infuse fruit and vegetable purees like avocado, banana and beets into thin flexible films that act as clamshells or platter liners. When the packaged food is finished, these colorful edible containers can be eaten with a fork. Both help grocers and consumers "eat the wrapper."

Grain-Based Materials Enter the Menu

Plant-based polymers derived from grains and starches are another popular edible packaging material. Futerro in Belgium utilizes wheat dextrin and cornstarch to create flexible pouches, tubs and coated cardboard that can be served with soups, salads or safely hold hot liquids. Their patent-pending technology allows competitive packaging performance to oil-based plastics. Another player, WaferPak based in Wisconsin, engineers maize and rice starches into rigid trays, cups and clamshells suited for take-out meals, snacks and perishables. After eating, the carton-like containers fully decompose without toxic residues. Both help divert food waste from landfills to stomachs through innovative edible solutions.

Customizable Options for Any Application

While the above provide off-the-shelf edible packaging products, some startups enable customized solutions. AquaNPRO in South Korea deploys food-safe algae and agricultural byproducts to manufacture tailored wraps, liners or molded containers for specific brand partners. Their algae formulations mimic plastic or paperboard in functionality. In a similar vein, Delipac based in Spain works directly with food manufacturers, supermarkets, QSR chains and distributors to engineer just-right edible films, bags and tubs made from fruit purees, cereal meals or vegetable-based biopolymers for bespoke applications. Whether standard configurations or client-customized, these adaptable edible solutions open new routes to reduce plastic use.

Waste- reduction without Compromise

As edible wrappers and containers gain traction, some question if sustainability comes at the cost of quality, cost or food safety. However, innovative material science and production techniques allow edible packaging parity to conventional plastics in protecting perishables, graphics capabilities and shelf-life extension. Their renewable nature also makes edible films more cost-competitive over the long run compared to non-renewable plastics. Most importantly, extensive safety testing and regulatory approval affirms they pose no risks when consumed. With advantages like eliminating disposal confusion and potential for nutrient delivery, edible packaging offers a triple win for people, planet and profitability. As investment and adoption picks up, this innovative approach looks poised to take a real bite out of the global waste crisis one snack at a time.

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About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)