The Tasty Solution for Single-use Plastics

With single-use plastics being phased out by many businesses, a lot of brands are looking for unique means to really make packaging shine.

One way is edible packaging. This is an innovative type of solution that reduces a lot of the single-use plastics that are plaguing the food and drink industries. 

Edible packaging is being used by a lot of trendy startups and indie brands, but we’re seeing it as well in more well-known food packaging vendors.   The potential for this is immersive, as it may add value to the experience of the customer, while also addressing a severe environmental issue that’s been plaguing businesses of all kinds. 

What Edible Packaging Entails 

With edible packaging, one might think it’s just packaging you can eat. It’s much deeper than that however.

Edible packaging is a food-grade material, so it needs to be food.   The second thing is that it also is something that’s plant-based.   Seaweed, riche, even starches from plants are used for this.   They create wrappers, containers, and even films placed over the food. The customer is able to eat it. 

One example of this are wrappers for packaging such as sandwiches.   They can be made with seaweed and starches, creating an edible wrapper for people to enjoy. 

Now, it might seem so simple, but the thing is, you also need to teeter the line of fitting what you’re giving the customer. 

It isn’t just slapping some seaweed on something and calling it a day. The food that you use for food packaging does need to be in a manner that’s safe for people to consume, so if they’re prone to spoiling fast, you don’t use this. 

You also need to make sure it’s hygienic.   Food that’s dirty with food you’re selling is also not a good thing for you to have either. you need to make sure it’s clean. Some companies actually use a fresh container from the food packaging, and that’s enough for the food to be protected and clean.

The final thing is flavor compatibility.   This is something that’s a huge problem for a lot of brands. You need it to fit the item. The problem is, a lot of times it rarely adds value, and tends to taste a little bland. In that case, they may try to add some flavoring to it, in a manner that will enhance the experience. 

Is it Worth It? 

For some brands, yes.   Using edible packaging does reduce plastic waste. A lot of customers are focused on this, and they want a packaging that’s tasty and good to eat.   However it also is great as well for those who are worried about sustainability, because that’s a huge issue amongst younger customers. 

A lot of trendy startup restaurants and food trucks use this, because it’s simple to package, and also offers immense benefits.   So yes, there are some benefits to having this.

There are a few drawbacks, however. The biggest thing is that it’s complex.   You know from reading this alone you have to also factor in how good this will taste with the food, and also be safe.   you also want to make sure that it’s durable, and can hold the item inside. a heavy piece of food will crumble under seaweed packaging.

There’s a lot of factors and things to consider, but overall, if you can have these edible packaging items, such as water pods and condiment sachets that are edible, you’ll stay ahead of the game, and bring about new ways for consumers to have their packaging and well, eat it too!

Edible Packaging for Perishables

When you’re shipping out perishable food and beverage items, you can get a little creative with this. creativity also encourages the importance of stability for many involved.

This is of course, through edible packaging. This type of packaging is made directly from materials that are edible, such as cellulose or other plant fibers, and is commonly implemented in food and beverage items. Here, we’ll go over some of the edible packaging factors to consider, along with the benefits and challenges. 

Features of Edible Packaging 

Edible packaging has some unique features. 

The first is the materials. They’re edible, so they’re made from seaweed, starches, and other natural substances. Basically, it needs to be safe to consume in some regard for it to be considered edible packaging. 

The packaging can be wraps, films, and other unique packaging fibers.   The goal is to safely secure and close up the items, making it easy for you to eat, while also being eco friendly. 

The packaging is also designed to protect, especially during transit.   These items will need to go through shipping and other factors, so giving the product a safe place to reside as it makes it to the location is important. Wraps that use seaweed can be packaged in a box and then pulled out and served for example. 

You also need to make sure that the packaging is safe for edibility. Many times, people don’t like to use edible packaging because they fear hygiene. However, edible packaging is safe to eat, and when you’re able to make this possible, customers will be happy. 

The Benefits and Challenges 

While edible packaging is still a new subject, it’s got a lot of benefits to it. 

The biggest one is how eco-friendly it is. This type of packaging can leave little to no waste, so if you’re a brand that prides themselves in that sort of thing, it’s almost necessary for you to have this.

It also can make it easier for you to get these fresh items with an extra flair to the customers. Some people like it because of the convenience. 

Meal kits, fresh produce, and the like are all types of packaging that benefit from edible packaging, and serve to help you with improving your carbon footprint. 

The biggest drawbacks are making sure the items are hygienic, while also maintaining the shelf life of the product. For example, seaweed wraps and the like are perishable items with a short shelf-life for them. In that case, you need to prepare enough to sell, without too much waste being left behind. When packaging the food in this edible packaging, ensure that the staff wash their hands and handle the items hygienically. 

If you do this, it does make this type of packaging easier for you to use, and results in more happy customers. 

The Real world applications of This Edible Packaging 

Where do people use edible packaging? Well, some brands have started to use edible wraps such as seaweed for their sandwiches and various other products. 

Cheese and snacks also benefit from starch paper, as it is easy to keep in one space. You can eat the candy, and then eat the packaging too.   There are also cups made out of a cellulose film, which is not as common, but is still considered to be a popular means for eating this type of edible packaging.

Overall, edible packaging works with quick-food items. If you’re selling something that will go fast, and also will really stand out, then you’re in luck, because there’s a lot to be had here, and a lot of great packaging incentives to choose.