Sustainability driving foodservice packaging

The 2015 Trends Report from the Foodservice Packaging Institute, Falls Church, VA, highlighted industry opinions that focused predominately on environmentally friendly packaging and customization techniques to differentiate products. The annual trend report, which is in its seventh year, looks for common themes found throughout the entire foodservice packaging value chain—from raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, distributors and operators.

“When it comes to foodservice packaging and the materials used to manufacture them, interest in ‘sustainable,’ ‘green’ or ‘environmentally-friendly’ options continue to be popular," says Lynn Dyer, FPI president. “What’s notable this year is the overwhelming number of mentions related to compostable packaging. We create this Trends Report each year to help our members understand what’s driving sales so they can take advantage of these opportunities and support the changing needs of their customers.

Major material trends include:

Packaging: Environmentally friendly or sustainable packaging remains a long-term overall trend. Specifically, compostable packaging was mentioned in an overwhelming number of responses. Other trends include the shift to a more natural look through the use of “Kraft” paper over bleached paper to promote the belief that “brown is the new green.” On the other hand, another trend of note includes an increase in graphics and color as operators recognize the opportunity to promote their brand on packaging.

Raw materials: “Green” packaging is apparent in raw materials, as different resins and papers are trending based on both the real and perceived environmental advantages of those materials.

The survey was published in September.

Read the article at PlasticsToday.