According to research published in 2019 in PubMed, about 60% of all plastic produced in the world is used for food packaging. This equates to 228 million metric tons of plastic already used for food packaging each year.
With the massive production of plastic for food, even today, it is feared that it will not only damage nature, but also living things. Humans themselves are threatened with the impact of plastic accumulation in the oceans in the form of exposure to toxins. This impact is coming from nanoplastics and microplastics in the food they eat.
To reduce the risk of accumulation of plastic waste, fortunately now many food manufacturers have chosen environmentally friendly packaging. The following are some types of food packaging that are considered not to leave a significant negative impact on humans and nature.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel with a food-grade label is not only durable, rust-free, and heat-resistant. Packaging with this material is also a safe choice for food storage and does not quickly damage the quality of food. In addition, food packaging made of stainless steel can be reused and recycled.
Food packaging made of stainless steel can be used to store your lunch. It can also be used to store flour, grains, and spices.
Glass Container
Glass containers are an eco-friendly packaging option that is also good for your health. Glass itself has many uses in everyday life, can be reused, and can be recycled.
Another advantage of glass containers is that they are easy to clean and convenient to carry anywhere. In addition, glass packaging is also durable, which is 3.5 times more durable than plastic packaging.
So that the quality of food stored in glass containers remains good, make sure the lids are not leaking or loose. You can choose a glass container with a silicone lid or one made of bamboo. Don’t forget to also choose a glass container product that is BPA free.
Cornstarch Packaging
Cornstarch packaging is produced using polylactic acid (PLA) which is made by fermenting sugar and plant starch. This packaging uses the cheapest sugar that is commercially available. So, we don’t have to worry about using excessive or limitation of the ingredients.
In addition, the packaging made of cornstarch is also relatively cheap and sustainable. Its production does not lead to resource scarcity, making it more effective for long-term use. This type of food packaging is also 100% biodegradable, can be recycled, and made into compost.
For human health, cornstarch packaging does not contain harmful toxins. Therefore, it is safe to use as a food storage area.
Sugarcane Bagasse Packaging
This packaging is made from bagasse or the fiber in the sugarcane stalks left after the juice extraction process. In the past, this section might have been discarded. However, now bagasse can be used as safe and quality food packaging. In addition, this packaging is also recyclable, biodegradable, and can be made into compost.
Based on data mentioned by Good Start Packaging, around 1.2 billion tons of sugar cane is produced annually in the world. The waste itself can reach 100 million tons annually, which previously was only partially used for biofuel.
With the new use of bagasse, namely as food packaging, the rest of the sugarcane production is not wasted. This certainly supports efforts to reduce factory or farmer waste.
Find food packaging made from bagasse only at RamahBhumi online store.