Why Your Food Business Should Shift to Using Eco-Friendly Packaging

Food delivery and take-out are no doubt seeing an uptick in our modern world, where more consumers are seeking convenience without giving up nutrition and the quality of their meals. The price of such convenience, however, involves the massive waste buildup from the synthetic and non-compostable materials companies use in these services.

Needless to say, now is the time for your food business to consider switching to eco-friendly packaging to prevent more of this waste from damaging the environment. But before we tell you how, let’s start with the basics: What is eco-friendly packaging exactly?

What eco-friendly packaging is

As the term implies, eco-friendly packaging is any form of packaging that bears little to no damage to the environment. In other words, its components should ideally be non-toxic and renewable. To minimize waste, this type of packaging must also be easy to reuse — and even easy to recycle.

Eco-friendly packaging vs. plastic-free packaging

Some people equate eco-friendly packaging to plastic-free packaging. After all, single-use plastic waste is one of the biggest polluters of our rivers and oceans. However, the truth is that even products that are plastic-free may cause harm to the environment.

For example, even some plastic-free packaging companies use what is known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS to make food containers resistant to oil and water. PFAS are a group of toxic chemicals that take up to 1,000 years to degrade. People and wildlife with exposure to these chemicals are likewise prone to health complications, including cancer.

On the other hand, paper food packaging still heavily relies on trees. In some places, these trees are being cut down faster than they are replaced. If something is produced in a way that non-renewable resources are rapidly consumed, then it also does more harm than good.

With that being said, the best kind of food packaging is not just non-toxic, but also made with minimal use of energy. Its overall lifecycle — from the extraction of materials to the disposal — must release the minimum amount of carbon footprint possible.

Taking all these into account, if you’re an entrepreneur with food as your main product, here are five reasons why you should consider eco-friendly packaging.

Using sustainable packaging is good for the environment

Photo by EJAUGSBURG

While this may be the most obvious reason for switching to sustainable packaging, it doesn’t make it less true. Environmental issues impact all of us — including your business. When you switch to eco-friendly packaging, you reduce your negative impact on the planet. 

Protecting the environment should be reason enough to make the switch. After all, at the end of the day, Mother Nature is our ultimate supplier. As a business owner, it is your duty to take care of her too as she provides everything you need.

Green packaging is typically free from toxins and allergens

Food businesses will surely benefit from packaging that is non-toxic and allergen-free. Safe packaging shows that you care for the health of your consumers.

Unlike traditional plastic ones, most sustainable packaging steer clear of harmful chemicals. To know if food packaging is safe to use, make sure it is certified food grade. Sustainable brand Econtainer, for example, boasts of international accreditations and certifications such as TUV, SGS, BPI, and OK Compost Home to ensure that your company gets the best quality there is.

Moreover, Econtainer is also free of PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are synthetic chemicals most food packaging uses to repel water and oil. In place of these chemicals, the brand employs cassava starch to keep their packaging water- and oil-free.

Switching to eco-friendly packaging is a form of investment

Photo by Visual Stories || Micheile

Most business owners shy away from eco-friendly packaging because of the misconception that even though it is pricier, it does not look and perform nearly as good as the other kinds. But the truth is, you can now purchase reasonably priced biodegradable packaging that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. Some are even designed to withstand extreme temperatures and carry most kinds of food.

On top of that, eco-friendly living is mainly an investment. Put simply, green products tend to be more expensive because their production costs are higher. This is true for food containers made of sugarcane bagasse, which is harder to extract and transport. Essentially, think of it as giving back to the environment — we owe it that much!

The world is now seeing a rise in the financial cost of plastic as the demand increases. In contrast, eco-friendly packaging is becoming more affordable and accessible over time.

Practicing eco-friendly values attracts and retains customers

Without a doubt, switching to eco-friendly packaging will improve your brand message and corporate social responsibility or CSR. As you practice safe business practices, you strengthen your company’s reputation as one that cares for the planet, and customers appreciate this. In fact, Blackbox Research and Dynata discovered that 96% of Filipinos said that they would purchase more from sustainable businesses.

With more people in the Philippines becoming eco-conscious, your customer base as a green company is also likely to grow. Not only will you attract like-minded customers, but you will also gain their loyalty because you resonate with what they care about. Take note that those who practice green living are more willing to invest in products that align with their values.

Moreover, studies show that there is an increasing demand for sustainable products. This goes to show that investing in eco-friendly packaging early on will keep you ahead of the curve. Consumers will remember you as a brand that cares for the environment.

Where to get sustainable packaging in the Philippines

If you are wondering where to get sustainable packaging in Manila or anywhere in the Philippines, look no further. Econtainer has everything your food business needs. Offering sustainably made food packaging, this local brand helps businesses shift to an eco-friendly lifestyle at a value-for-money price.

Econtainer offers take-out boxes, plates, trays, bowls, cups, and straws of various sizes. All of these products are made of sugarcane bagasse. Basically considered a waste product, bagasse is the residue of sugarcane after extraction. In other words, using it as a material for disposable packaging does not require added carbon footprint.

The brand ensures that its products are 100% compostable within 45 days. On that note, Econtainer isn’t just eco-friendly, it’s practical too! All packages are water- and oil-resistant, oven- and microwave-safe, and freezer-safe.

Ready to jumpstart or elevate your eco-friendly food business? Don’t just settle on typical packaging — use sustainable ones instead!

About Econtainer Philippines

Econtainer is an internationally accredited wholesale supplier of food service disposables made from sugarcane bagasse. We offer eco-friendly, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing plates, bowls, trays, and straws for businesses and personal use in the Philippines. Order or apply as a distributor now!