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2025 Foodservice Packaging Trends Lead With Sustainability and Materials2025 Foodservice Packaging Trends Lead With Sustainability and Materials
Four trends indicate growing and interrelated aspects of sustainability, material innovation, consumer convenience, and collaborative partnerships.
4 Min Read
Molded pulp (fiber) packaging serves convenience, sustainably.Sabert
At a Glance
- Sustainability trends and material innovations go hand in hand, with the latter ensuring package performance.
- Just-in-time convenience continues to shape the market for consumers seeking flexible dining options.
- Packager-supplier collaboration is growing across all packaging functions.
The foodservice industry is poised for transformation leading into 2025, with ample opportunities to lead with innovative and creative strategies to drive success. While 2024's food inflation reshaped business approaches and consumer behavior, continuing economic and environmental pressures will drive further evolution across the sector. As consumer mindsets continue to evolve, food producers and packaging suppliers must continue to adapt to ensure success in the years ahead. Here are four key trends to consider:
1. Sustainability
Sustainability will remain front and center as the regulatory landscape moves full steam ahead with updates to single-use plastic bans and package labeling laws. Accountability, certifications, and infrastructure are also going to be top focus areas, with consumers and regulators increasingly expecting more transparent, reliable information on materials and recyclability claims. More than ever, consumers aren’t afraid to call out companies for greenwashing.
At the same time, states nationwide are moving forward with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that makes food producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of packaging products. Introduced in 10 states and passed in five, this legislation aims to promote the development of recycling infrastructure and reduce packaging waste and the use of non-renewable sources. Food producers will be looking to their packaging suppliers to help them navigate the regulation landscape.
2. Material innovation and packaging performance
The relationship between packaging sustainability and functionality will be a key theme. Food packaging manufacturers are making advances in material science to balance environmental impact and performance, which has led to increased interest in sustainable substrates.
Paper – The trend of “paperization” – moving toward paper-based packaging solutions – will persist due to paper’s recyclability and biodegradability. Some packaging suppliers are investing in further advancements in coating and treatments to enhance paper’s durability and barrier properties.
Molded fiber – Molded fiber is growing as an attractive alternative because it can be composted and is typically made from renewable resources. As challenges persist in the global supply chain, the demand for domestically produced molded fiber products is expected to grow.
Post-consumer recycled content (PCR)– Packaging made from PCR is emerging as a key pathway for food producers to contribute to a circular economy and support their sustainability goals.
Reusables – Operators are increasingly interested in options like reusables to reduce waste. However, due to challenges with contamination and sanitation, adoption will likely remain slow in 2025 outside of closed-loop environments where reclamation, washing, and reuse of items can be controlled.
For packaging suppliers, offering a broad array of material options that can meet varying functionality, cost, brand marketing objectives, and sustainability goals will be critical.
3. Just-in-time convenience
The foodservice industry is well-positioned for a strong turnaround in 2025 by focusing on convenience, innovation, and value. The demand for just-in-time convenience continues to shape the market, with consumers seeking flexible dining options. Prepared foods remain at the center of this trend, providing quick, quality meal options that fit their busy lifestyles. There will also be a renewed focus on generating excitement and driving visits through limited-time offers. These strategic promotions foster customer loyalty and have the potential to drum up social media buzz. To further attract price-sensitive customers and increase foot traffic and order frequency, operators will be going back to the basics by leveraging coupons and discounts.
4. Strengthened Partnerships
Close collaboration between operators and food packaging solutions providers will continue to be paramount. Companies are starting to view their environmental impact across the whole supply chain, encompassing everything from their own operations to those of their vendors and partners too. And they’re leaning on packaging suppliers to support their sustainability goals and maneuver the complex landscape of sustainable packaging and recycling regulations.
Staffing pressures are another factor driving this trend, with operators becoming more open to supplier recommendations on packaging that enhance operations, improve efficiency, and enhance presentation. These needs are shifting the operator-supplier relationship to one of true partnership, where packaging experts will be relied upon for their expertise.
The Future is Bright
Following a year defined by inflation and growing calls for sustainability, the food industry is responding with greater collaboration across the supply chain to meet consumer demands. Sustainability, material innovation, just-in-time convenience, and partnerships will be central themes in 2025. While companies may place extra responsibility on food packaging suppliers, this investment in greater partnership and collaboration will lead to new and improved ways of working together that benefit all players in the foodservice industry and the environment.
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