At a first glance, there might not seem to be anything really remarkable at NatureWorks' sustainable food packaging, since it looks a lot like other plastic containers. However, the real difference comes from having the containers made out of a natural plastic that's made from plants rather than oil. As a result, producing the containers uses 60% less greenhouse gas and 50% less renewable energy in comparison to PET plastics.
Just like regular plastics, Ingeo plastic containers are easy to emboss, shape and print on. The containers are also ultra light, but rigid and able to keep food odors inside with ease. By using these containers versus traditional ones, NatureWorks estimates that it's the equivalent of saving about 3,000 gallons of gas and greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Plant-based Packaging
- The trend towards plant-based packaging offers an opportunity for companies to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources.
- Sustainable Food Containers
- The rise of sustainable food containers made from plant-based plastic presents an opportunity for businesses to meet eco-conscious consumer demand.
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- The focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of plant-based plastic containers opens up opportunities for innovation and sustainability in the packaging industry.
Where This Applies
- Packaging
- The packaging industry can explore the use of plant-based plastics to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for various products.
- Food and Beverage
- The food and beverage industry can adopt plant-based plastic containers to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and attract environmentally conscious consumers.
- Manufacturing
- The manufacturing industry can embrace plant-based plastic containers as a disruptive innovation to reduce carbon footprint and explore new avenues for sustainable production.
