Sustainable Pet Food Packaging

 

Single-use plastics seem to be ubiquitous these days as customers and companies strive to reduce their 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 majority (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 are concerned about the negative impact of plastic waste. 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 characteristics 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 does not preclude durability, and the truth is that flexible packaging is much more durable than older types of packaging. 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 engage customers 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 the environmental sense, return something to the soil and significantly reduce waste.

The sustainability and CO2 footprint of pet food packaging are not limited to the materials themselves, but also to production and transportation. Soft wrap 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 choice of) Responsible packaging that ensures greater progress in reducing negative environmental impacts.

Flexible packaging offers ease, reliability, cheap prices, convenience, customizable and informative packaging options to the pet food packaging so that pet food owner does not get confused what to buy and what to not because, with the feature of written ingredients on the package, the selection has become easier for them and tastier for their pet too.