Reduce Food Waste with Smart Plastic Packaging

Do you know that 25% of food produced all over the world ends up going to waste?

This amounts to nearly 1.3 billion tons of food which is an extravagant amount of food being wasted. Unfortunately, one of the main causes of such wastage is caused by inaccurate best before dates and poor packaging. The expiry date is usually a cautious estimate even though the food may not be expired.

It has been estimated that almost 100kg of food per person is wasted due the best before date alone.

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Smart packaging helps in reducing the wastage of food by the maximizing the shelf life of food products and informing consumers with accurate information.

• Plastic Packaging Innovations

Plastic packaging is designed to protect against oxygen, light, temperature, moisture, microbes and pests so that the food is delivered to your consumers safely. Factory sealed food packaging bags and containers help to preserve the natural nutrients, flavour and texture of food by locking out air and preventing the absorption of nasty flavours and odours which can increase the shelf life of fresh meats to as much as 21 days.

Here are 3 Food Storage Alternatives:

1. Resealable Plastic Bags

The biggest benefit of the resealable plastic bag is how it can keep food fresh, preserve and extend its shelf life. Most if not all food products tend to last longer and taste better when they come in packaging that can be shut with a slider or zipper.

2. Airtight Plastic Containers

Storing your leftover foods in air-tight plastic containers keeps your food fresh for longer and increases its edible lifespan.

3. Portion Controlled Plastic Pouches

Portioned plastic packaging allows leftover meals to be packaged in a variety of different sizes in sealed portion-sized compartments which is handy for people who have children or people who live alone and also increase their shelf life.

Plastic Sensors in Plastic Packaging

Plastic sensors are something that all food manufacturers should know about plastic packaging as electronic plastic sensors in their packaging will help to monitor the edibility of their food products.

These plastic sensors can easily be scanned with a scanner or with your phone to display the freshness of the food packaged. They are also economic and can be printed on all types of flexible plastic surfaces as well.

Here are 3 Tips to Reduce Food Waste:

1. Purchase Products with Innovative Packaging

You can buy products that have innovative packaging that leaves little or no waste. An example of this is the plastic Heinz Easy Squeeze ketchup bottle which stands on its cap and its unique design reduces any wastage of food as well as saving your money.

2. Reseal Food for Later

Check your grocery stores for foods which come packaged in resealable bags and airtight plastic containers. Convenient resealable plastic packaging is generally available for cold cuts, pastas, dried fruits, sausage, tuna and shredded cheeses.

3. Store Your Leftovers in Airtight Containers

If you have a lot of leftovers from your meals then you use your leftovers to create new meals by storing them in air-tight plastic containers which will keep them fresh for longer and prevent wastage.

Studies have discovered that the use proper packaging helps in lowering the amount of wasted food.

In other words, plastic packaging is an investment towards protecting the food we consume and reducing the consumption of resources used to produce it.

Author: Mohan Naik

Mohan Naik oversees the digital marketing for XL plastics, a leading name in the field of plastic converting machinery. On a mission to help entrepreneurs make a high quality choice that delivers value, he efficiently turns even the most technical topics into interesting and engaging content that even a layman can comprehend. He writes to educate his audience and skillfully uses marketing to incite interest even in the most passive of readers. He stays updated with the latest trends and innovations in the industry and is quick to share that with his readers.