Using fossil raw materials for short-lived disposable plastic articles is too short-term, promotes the greenhouse effect and endangers the planet, which must be preserved for future generations. Especially in the area of to-go packaging, avoiding plastic and saving CO2 are easier than you think. There are already plastic alternatives that are both visually and functionally convincing.
What are the alternative packaging materials?
Bagasse, cardboard, wood or rPET - in this exclusive video tutorial you will learn in brief why sustainable packaging is a good alternative. The following topics are covered in it:
The free guidebook Sustainable Packaging - A Good Alternative deals briefly and clearly in written form with the sustainable plastic alternatives in the take-away and to-go business and what makes them sustainable, especially with regard to the carbon footprint. In addition, concrete sustainable solutions for packaging, drinking straws and cutlery for out-of-home sales are shown. Simply download, save and feel free to share the knowledge with your colleagues and/or guests at any time.
Packaging made from renewable or recycled raw materials
For today's short-lived packaging, it makes sense to use materials from nature (paper fibre / cardboard, wood, sugar cane fibre) or recycled raw materials (rPET). These save 70-90% CO2 compared to plastic, simply due to the fact that they are of natural origin. However, to be safe in food contact and to ensure leakage resistance, minimal barrier layers are necessary. Bioplastics (PLA, green PE) are also of natural origin, but in the end they are the same as fossil plastics.
SUGARCANE FIBRE (BAGASSE)1/6
Compostable sugarcane fibre is a great example of upcycling. It is made with surplus natural material from sugar production: sugar cane stems.
Readily biodegrades under controlled composting conditions
Once composted it turns to soil in just a few weeks
Suitable for industrial composting
May be sorted with food waste depending on local regulations
Available certification: EN13432
After use: you can sort with waste for industrial composting or cardboard for recycling. Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
CARDBOARD/PAPER2/6
Most of our Cardboard/Paper products are made from FSC™-certified fibre. They are often accepted for either composting, or recycling as paper pulp if not contaminated by food.
Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
WOOD/BAMBOO3/6
A renewable resource. We use FSC™-certified Birchwood and Bamboo for our products. These materials are a natural choice for products such as cutlery, where strength and durability is important.
Did you know, Bamboo absorbs 5 times the amount of CO2 and produces 35% more oxygen than other plants in the same space!
Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
RECYCLED PET (RPET)4/6
RPET is made from recycled plastic bottles – which otherwise could end up in landfill sites or burnt as fuel.
Typically, RPET has a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic
BioPak RPET products contain up to 100% recycled PET
The RPET we use is regularly tested to ensure it meets food safety rules
Supply chain is fully documented
After use, RPET products can be recycled as standard plastic
Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
PLA/CPLA5/6
Compostable plant-based bioplastic, PLA and CPLA are made from otherwise surplus renewable material: fermentable corn starch.
Bioplastics like PLA and CPLA offer society a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
CPLA is chemically identical to PLA. The difference is that it is crystalized, which makes it stronger and able to withstand higher temperatures
Reflecting this, CPLA can withstand temperatures up to +70oC and PLA up to +50oC
After use, PLA and CPLA products can be sorted with food waste for industrial composting, depending on local regulations, or recycled as bioplastic
Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
GRASS PAPER6/6
Grass paper is recyclable and extremely resource-efficient. Grass is naturally abundant, available globally and harvested locally, and does not compete with resources used for animal feed.
Recyclable, compostable, approved for skin tolerance
Energy efficient to produce: it only requires 2 litres of water to produce one ton of grass fibre raw material
Production of grass paper does not require chemical treatment
After use, grass paper can be sorted with paper for recycling
Local waste regulations need to be followed. Check with your local waste handlers.
How can we pack sustainably?
Responsible customers have high expectations of food, delivery and also packaging. They expect not only practical take-away solutions, but above all consistently sustainable packaging solutions. How can I package practically and sustainably? Here you will find solutions on how to make your takeaway packaging CO2 neutral.