In 2022, we produced 1.05 billion tons of food waste, including packaging. Research suggests packaging may be responsible for 25% of household food losses and waste. Given its significant contribution to global packaging waste, it is crucial to shift to sustainable packaging in the dairy industry. Let’s look into the environmental benefits of sustainable packaging in the dairy industry and the innovations that eco-friendly businesses can adopt aside from using alternative packaging to plastic.

4 Environmental Benefits of Sustainable Packaging in the Dairy Industry

Here are some of its environmental benefits:

1. Sustainable Packaging in the Dairy Industry Reduces Plastic Waste

In the European Union, dairy generates 8-10 million tons of packaging waste annually. Shifting to biodegradable packaging for business or compostable materials made of cassava starch can help reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and oceans.

2. It Also Conserves Natural Resources

Dairy products are typically packaged in materials (e.g. plastic, cartons, glass, and metal). These are finite resources that are difficult to recycle and contribute to waste. Sustainable packaging often uses renewable resources (e.g. cornstarch and bamboo), conserving natural resources.

3. It Reduces Carbon Footprint

Recycled paper and bio-based plastics have lower energy requirements in manufacturing, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are typically more lightweight, too, reducing fuel consumption during transportation.

4. It Improves Waste Management

Recyclable or compostable packaging, like cassava starch bags, prevents the buildup of non-biodegradable materials in landfills and oceans, reducing environmental pollution.

5 Innovations in Sustainable Packaging in the Dairy Industry

Here are some of the most notable innovations in this field: 

1. Sustainable Packaging in the Dairy Industry are the Simplest Choice

Plant-based plastics or bioplastics made of cassava starch, cornstarch, or sugarcane are renewable resources that become the best alternative packaging to plastic. These materials break down faster without leaving harmful traces of toxins in the environment.

2. Mono-Material Packaging

Dairy packaging made entirely of a single material simplifies the recycling process because there is no need for segregation, unlike multi-layered packaging.  

3. Eco-Friendly Inks

Label your products with inks made from natural sources like soy, which are non-toxic and more accessible to recycle than traditional petroleum-based inks.

4. Returnable Packaging System

Eco-conscious consumers look out for eco-friendly businesses that offer this closed-loop system. Empty packaging materials are returned to the suppliers to be reused or recycled.

5. Water-Soluble Packaging

Packaging that dissolves in water, like cassava starch bags, reduces packaging waste dumped in landfills or the oceans. 

Adopt Change for the Earth

Adopting sustainable packaging in the dairy industry does not only positively impact the environment but also meets the demands of eco-conscious consumers. Businesses in the Philippines that embrace sustainable practices will thrive in today’s market trends.
Don’t know where to start? We can assist you with that! We offer 0% plastic, 100% plant-based cassava starch bags, and corn bags that dissolve in water—guaranteed 100% eco-friendly! For more information, visit our page.