Plastics and Sustainability Used in Pet Food Packaging

 

Single-use plastics seem to be ubiquitous these days as customers and companies strive to reduce our environmental footprint and make competent and sustainable decisions. While much of the discussion has centered on water bottles, plastic straws, and various plates, pet food packaging has increasingly shifted from paper to plastic materials. Is this a surprising - and perhaps regressive - trend that could bite back into pet food packaging, or is it a step forward?

Consumer perception of plastic packaging

As of this year, the majorities (about eight in 10) of customers are responding at least partially to the impact of single-use plastics and are moving away from single-use plastics, and nearly 2/3 they are concerned about the negative impact of plastic waste has in our oceans. It's no wonder, then, that more than half of pet food consumers prefer plastic-free packaging and products. Despite this preference, flexible plastic packaging continues to outperform paper in commerce.

Due to the character of the packaging film and therefore the advantages of zippers and various reclosable closures, flexible packaging can protect dry food well and keep it up to date. However, convenience doesn't preclude durability, and the truth is that flexible packaging is much more durable than older packaging options. It is important for food and packaging manufacturers to constantly consider and implement sustainability practices, but just as important is to convey this data to customers.

Durability in pet food packaging

Therefore, plastic has been a challenge for a long time, it can be difficult to make the material sustainably yourself, but it is even difficult to get customers involved after using it. However, flexible packaging still offers some advantages and exciting innovations are evolving towards even greater sustainability.

Of course, even discarded soft bags take up much less landfill space, but recyclables make them a smarter choice. The recycling initiatives of some feed manufacturers also offer customers the option of returning their empty bags to require a second (or longer) shelf life. Compostable films take flexible packaging in pet food packaging even further in terms of environmental friendliness, putting something back in the soil and significantly reducing waste.

The sustainability and carbon footprint of pet food packaging is not limited to the materials themselves, but also to production and transportation. Flexible packaging Pet food packaging is inexpensive to manufacture, can be printed with water-based inks, requires less shipping space (i.e. these additional factors, combined with the materials themselves, result in a packaging option responsible for ensuring greater progress in reducing negative environmental impacts.

While packaging of pet food, it is as important as companies pack human food for maintaining the sustainability and the level of carbon footprint to not impact the environment and the earth remains green.