Sustainable and Smart Packaging Solutions

In a green and smart economy, food and beverage companies are looking for sustainable and technology-based solutions for packaging. Nestle and Mars, two OU kosher-certified companies, are heavily invested in sustainability, especially in using recycled plastic and biodegradables in the packaging process. This is reducing a carbon footprint.

Smart packaging has entered the market as well. In this scenario, sensors “actively” interact with the food, regulating temperature and freshness, and also “intelligently” track the package throughout the supply chain. This helps to reduce food waste.

Recycled Plastic and Biodegradables in Packaging

Nestle and Mars are setting strict sustainable goals to eliminate net carbons. By 2025, Nestle is looking to be at plastic recyclable level of 95%. This will cut down on carbon emissions and build a sturdier ecosystem. Mars is innovating in biodegradable packaging. This reduces greenhouse gasses as the packaging is biodegradable into the earth.

The Emergence of the Smart Packaging Market

Packaging Gateway predicts that by 2033 the smart packaging market will be worth way over $2 billion. Smart packaging consists of active and intelligent packaging. Active packaging uses sensors to monitor the temperature and any spoilage issues with the food. Intelligent packaging uses sensors to trace the package throughout the supply chain.

An Upcoming Summit

Major OU kosher-certified companies, both those who manufacture packaging material and those who are adopting sustainability goals, will be present at an upcoming Sustainability Packaging Summit in Amsterdam. Some of the companies that will be present are Mars, P&G and GlaxoSmithKline. This illustrates how OU certified companies are on the frontlines when it comes to creating a sustainable planet.

Conclusion

Food and beverage packaging is entering a new era. Eliminating a carbon footprint and going biodegradable is here. When you couple that with interactive smart packaging to monitor the food and package, a sustainable ecosystem can be realized and food waste can be eliminated.

Steven Genack
Steven Genack has worked at OU Kosher for more than ten years with a specialty in ingredients. He is an attorney and former editor of a newspaper. He has a wide array of interests including playing tennis, golf and basketball and reading biographies and memoirs.