By now most of us are only too aware of how much damage plastic packaging is doing to our planet.
Whether it’s the damage being done to wildlife, or the fact that microplastic has now invaded the food we eat, water we drink and air we breathe, the world is finally waking up to the danger this destructive material poses.
This is evident in the government’s recent move to ban all single-use takeaway packaging, making it mandatory for owners of food businesses to use biodegradable packaging.
Although biodegradable packaging is obviously better for the planet as it decomposes, rather than sitting in landfill for hundreds of years, even packaging that breaks down takes up space in home compost bins or industrial composting environments. Until now that is!
You see, clever scientists are working on edible packaging. So rather than having to dispose of your packaging, you can simply eat it!
Although this might not be to everyone’s taste (pardon the pun), it’s certainly a clever and innovative way to deal with waste.
Innovators
One such company trailblazing the edible packaging innovation is UK food manufacturer Stroodles, which has used wheat, water and wafers to create bowls and plates with a pasta-like substance.
The company has also manufactured spoons out of biscuits, cups from oat bran and wheat flour and spoons from sugar, cocoa powder and various types of flours.
Stroodles has also managed to secure a favourable deal with Swedish fintech company, Treyd, which will secure a sell-first, pay-suppliers-later model. This is positive news and provided the food manufacturer can make its products a success, this could be the start of something big.
Maxim Gelmann, Stroodles CEO and founder, said: “Treyd has given Stroodles more business flexibility and peace of mind, enabling us to scale quicker and further as we can now hold more stock rather than having to order just in time and be at the mercy of logistics.
“In turn, we can react to urgent demand, fulfil more orders, grow income and subsequently attract more repeat orders, while proactively dealing with the cash flow gap between stock payment and sell out.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen edible packaging. During the summer, a team of scientists at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) also developed an edible, transparent and biodegradable material that could be used in food packaging.
Their work is published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, with professor To Ngai from the Department of Chemistry at CUHK championing the material’s impressive tensile strength and high versatility, which should be key to its future success.
So with multiple edible solutions on the horizon, it might not be long until you’re eating your food packaging for afters!
Abide By Law
If you own a takeaway business, while it may be a while before all your packaging is completely edible, you’ll still need to ensure it’s fully biodegradable as all single-use items are now banned.
The ban includes all online and over-the-counter sales and it covers items from new and existing stock. The new rules incorporate all types of single-use plastic including biodegradable, compostable and recycled so even if it’s eco-friendly, if it’s only to be used once then it’s against the law.
For anyone still using single-use plastic, local and national Trading Standards departments will have the authority to fine and prosecute. So assuming you’d rather avoid large fines and damage to your business’ reputation, you’ll need to abide by these new rules
So don’t forget the rules the next time you purchase fast food packaging. In addition to protecting the planet, boosting your reputation with any eco-conscious customers and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability, you’ll also be abiding by the new rules put in place by the government.
If you would like to find out more about how Elpack Packaging Solutions can assist your business, or discuss your bespoke packaging needs, get in touch with our expert team today! Call us on 01425 524021 or drop us an email at info@elpack.co.uk
