Food packaging has enormous environmental impact and exacerbates climate change. In this blog, we offer a brief look into how packaging materials impact environment and climate change, based on the content compiled from two valuable articles: Paper-Based Packaging Helps Tackle Climate Change, and The Environmental Impact of Food Packaging.

From plastics discharged to waterways to the toxic byproducts of manufacturing, food packaging has enormous environmental impact.

Modern food packaging offers a way to make food safe, reliable, shelf-stable and clean. Unfortunately, most food packaging is designed to be single use and is not recycled. Instead, packaging is thrown away and often litters our waterways. There are other environmental impacts from food packaging as well, including to our air and soil.

While it may be hard to find unpackaged food, opportunities to choose packaging that is less harmful to animals, people and the environment do exist.

Types of Food Packaging

 The type of packaging used depends on several factors, including where the food is purchased, the intended use of the packaging and the timeline for consuming the product.

For example, grocery store food is typically sold in glass, metal, plastic or paperboard containers, and often comes encased in multiple layers. Those containers are then placed into plastic or paper grocery bags.

Takeout food is often wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil, then placed into paper, plastic or Styrofoam containers, and (often) is put into paper bags and finally into plastic grocery bags. These bags may contain plastic cutlery, napkins and straws, as well.

Processed food often has multiple layers of packaging; for example, a food item might be placed in a tray, covered in paper or plastic wrap, placed into a paperboard box and then, often, covered again in plastic wrap.

Many food items that were traditionally sold or stored in glass, metal or plastic bottles or cans are now sold or stored in multilayer plastic-coated pouches or cartons. Current food production and consumption practices generate a lot of packaging, and new forms of packaging are constantly being developed. The packaging of food places the largest demand on the packaging industry, with approximately two thirds of all the material produced going to package food.

Paper-Based Packaging Helps Tackle Climate Change

There are three ways to mitigate climate change: by avoiding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by storing GHGs (carbon) in forests and forest-based products, and by capturing GHGs from the atmosphere. The manufacture, use and recycling of paper-based packaging contributes to all three.

Sustainable forestry practices increase the ability of forests to capture and sequester atmospheric carbon while enhancing other ecosystem services, such as improved soil and water quality. Planting new trees and improving forest health through thinning and prescribed burning are some of the ways to increase forest carbon in the long run.

Paper-Based Packaging:

• Highly recyclable compared to other packaging materials
• Fosters healthy forests
• Helps tackle climate change
• Practical, convenient, attractive
• Preferred by consumers
• Offers environmental and social benefits
• Protects more resources that it consumes

What We Can Do

The way to reduce the impact from consumer packaging is to make better choices when we buy and consume food. As consumers, we make food choices that impact how much packaging we use and, therefore, how much trash and recycling we create. While recycling helps minimize the amount of packaging that makes its way to a landfill, some basic choices can eliminate the need for the packaging in the first place. Here are some tips:

• Be informed about the environmental AND health impacts of food packaging.
• Eliminate single-use food and beverage packaging.
• Reduce packaging when you shop and when you’re at home.
• Carry reusable shopping bags.
• Avoid plastic bags as much as possible.
• Carry reusable, stainless steel coffee mugs and water bottles
• Use stainless steel straws for beverages instead of plastic straws.
• Avoid plastic packaging, wherever and whenever possible.

With most of the last three years restricted by the pandemic, we had shifted all our communication activities to online platforms like many other companies and industries and hosted digital meetings. Yet, we missed the excitement of coming together with our business partners and meeting them in person in the lively fair environments. 😊

We have now hit the ground running to kick off the last quarter of 2022, with preparations already underway to participate in the leading fairs and expos of the industry. If you plan to visit or participate in one or more of the fairs below, please mark the dates in your calendar to come and meet with us.

FachPack | 27-29 September 2022 | Nuremberg, Germany

FACHPACK is one of the main events in Europe for companies that produce and use packaging. Held for over 40 years, FACHPACK will again take place in Nuremberg on September 27-29, 2022.

In this edition, organized after a two-year break, Fachpack, the trade fair for packaging, processing and technology, will provide an opportunity to meet the biggest players of the industry and offer insights into the latest trends and innovations in packaging.

Eurasia Packaging Istanbul | 12-15 October | Istanbul, Turkey

The 27^th Eurasia Packaging Fair will take place on October 12-15, 2022 at Tüyap Istanbul. The fair – showcasing packaging products used in all aspects of our lives, food processing solutions, and packaging machinery and equipment – is the most preferred commercial platform of the region, expanding every year with growing interest from relevant industry professionals and bringing together all constituents of the packaging industry

At GS Packaging, we look forward to meeting you at the Eurasia Packaging Fair, one of fairs on our regular calendar.

Restaurant & Take Away Innovation Expo | 19-20 October | London, UK

From mobile payments and delivery to sustainability and food waste, the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo brings the whole restaurant industry together! We are excited to promote our innovative, environmentally friendly and customizable solutions for fast food packaging as a significant part of our production and to meet food and beverage professionals.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit our booth at Europe’s leading event for takeaway and restaurant owners looking to boost their profits and companies offering end-to-end solutions to meet industry requirements!

All4Pack Emballage Paris | 21-24 November | Paris, France

All4pack, featuring the flagship event “LEAD THE REVOLUTION” this year, repositions itself at a new location with diverse content. In 2022, ALL4PACK Paris becomes ALL4PACK Emballage Paris, aiming to become the benchmark for innovative, sustainable and responsible packaging and logistics.

In this edition of ALL4PACK Emballage Paris, you will find us with all our solutions, capabilities, and recommendations regarding sustainable packaging production.

Make sure to follow us on social media, where we will post more information on our fair participation for the rest of the year. We will share details such as booth numbers and upcoming dates on our social media accounts.

If you will not make to the fairs, you can still send us your questions at info@gorselsanatlar.com.tr before or after the events for more information.

Food safety is a crucial factor in the food supply chain. Therefore, selecting producers that meet specific packaging material standards plays a key role in ensuring food safety and hygiene and recognition as a trusted supplier.

The BRCGS Global Standard for Packaging Materials helps brands demonstrate they are providing products that are quality assured, legally compliant, and authentic.

What is BRCGS Certification? 

BRC (British Retail Consortium) was founded in 1996 by retailers who wanted to harmonize food safety standards across the supply chain. Today, BRCGS is a leading global brand and consumer protection scheme recognized by thousands of customers worldwide. 

BRCGS Packaging Materials helps build confidence in the supply chain by certifying packaging producers for the food industry. The Standard specifies the product safety, quality and operational criteria that must be in place within a packaging manufacturing organization to fulfil its obligations with regard to legal compliance and protection of the consumer. To receive a BRCGS certification for packaging and packaging materials, a company’s premises, operational systems and procedures are assessed against the requirements of the Standard by the certification body.

There are many benefits of working with a packaging producer with BRCGS certification.

Globally Recognized Certification 

Since its foundation in the UK, BRCGS has grown into a global brand that provides certifications sought by leading retailers, producers, and food service companies worldwide. So much so that, 70% of the top 10 global retailers require a BRCGS certification before accepting a product into their stores.

Supplier and Customer Trust 

When assessing the capabilities of their suppliers, many brand owners, retailers, food service companies, and manufacturers around the world seek BRCGS certification. Whether you are a local brand or whether you operate in an emerging global market, choosing a BRCGS-certified packaging producer will help you earn your customers’ trust in your products. Working with a BRCGS-certified packaging producer enables you to improve product safety and reduce waste, complaints, and returns.

Therefore, holding a BRCGS certification enhances brands’ international recognition for their quality and responsible production. The standard protects both the brands and the consumers and assures that operational guidelines and product quality and safety requirements are met. If you are a food producer, supplier, or distributor who wants to work with large retailers, the packaging you use will be expected to be BRCGS-certified. GS Packaging holds the internationally recognized BRCGS certification for food packaging production.

As the world’s most trusted sustainable forest management solution, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the forests worldwide. FSC certification confirms that forests are managed in a way to preserve their biodiversity and benefit the lives of locals while ensuring economic sustainability.

REQUIREMENTS FOR FSC CERTIFICATION

FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Certification is an optional and voluntary process.

To obtain FSC certification, an organization should meet the principles and numerous criteria that apply to FSC-certified forests around the world. These principles include:

1. Compliance with laws
2. Workers’ rights and employment conditions
3. Indigenous Peoples’ rights
4. Community relations
5. Benefits from the forest
6. Environmental values and impact
7. Management planning
8. Monitoring and assessment
9. High conservation values
10. Implementation of management activities

Why should we choose FSC-certified products? 

Consumers are increasingly demanding eco-friendly and responsible products. When it comes to forest-based products, FSC certification offers a sustainable choice that consumers can trust to deliver better outcomes for forests, people and markets – today and for future generations.

More and more global and local brands are working toward a sustainable future by promoting sustainability, adopting more eco-friendly approaches and making choices for the good of the planet. Paper products made from traceable and sustainable resources are an essential part of sustainability when it comes to selecting product packaging.

Protecting nature is a serious responsibility, and businesses can take various actions to reduce their footprint. Using FSC-certified packaging is one way of contributing to sustainability.

As GS Packaging customers, you always have a choice to prefer eco-friendly solutions. We offer FSC®-certified packaging options and help our customers optimize their packaging requirements to align with their brand values.

Contact us to find out more about our eco-friendly solutions and brand-specific recommendations: info@gorselsanatlar.com.tr