In the movement from plastics to paper, consumers are demanding more sustainable solutions in produce packaging. That’s no wonder, given that 36% of the 400 million tons of plastic waste generated annually is single-use, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Crops and produce are a part of the change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced grant opportunities for innovative alternatives to single-use plastic produce packaging.
Paper packaging is one of the produce industry’s go-to solutions. For good reason: A 2019 study found that paper packaging was on par with plastic for maintaining the shelf life of cherry tomatoes, while reducing climate impact and gaining customer trust. Plus, when people choose paper products, they contribute to sustainable forestry, so land stewards have a strong incentive to keep nourishing the land and helping ensure more trees get planted.
Read on to learn how the paper industry is innovating to keep your food safe, making paper packaging part of your day-to-day life.
Check out the UN Programme Interactive to learn more about plastic consumption.
Consumers regard paperboard as a more responsible choice than plastic packaging, according to this study.
Learn about recent U.S. Department of Agriculture grants for alternatives to single-use plastic packaging.
The Paperboard Fruit Carriers of Canada
Niagara Orchard & Vineyard Corp. previously used polyethylene containers for fresh fruit but approached Smurfit Westrock to provide paper-based alternatives to their single-use plastic packs. Smurfit Westrock’s paper carriers were the perfect solution. They are easily stacked, and quickly and efficiently set up on-site. The fruit is hand packed, tops are locked and carriers loaded for distribution.
The sustainability benefits were huge given the renewable resource and durability of kraft paperboard, and recyclability of the carriers through standard curbside programs. As an aside, customers especially enjoy the brilliant billboard graphics and respective color schemes that differentiate plums, pears, nectarines, peaches and grapes. The retail branding benefits are clear at the store shelf. Niagara Orchard is pleased to be doing their part in moving the produce industry away from plastics to fiber-based packaging.
The Smurfit Westrock fruit carriers are part of the EverGrow™ Collection of fiber-based produce packaging including baskets, carriers and punnets. Made from sustainably sourced wood fiber, EverGrow products are another example of paper alternatives to single-use plastic packaging.
Another company, Cascades, has new produce baskets are made from recycled and recyclable corrugated cardboard. The baskets’ slots and roomy tops allow produce to stay securely inside without blocking visibility for consumers.
California Students’ Award-Winning Citrus Packaging
What’s better than recyclable paper packaging? Recyclable paper packaging that doubles as an attractive bowl on every papertarian’s countertop. That was part of the reasoning for the California Polytechnic State University team that won second place in the 2022 Paperboard Packaging Alliance student awards competition.
The packaging, dubbed Froot, features a softly sculpted cube shape, engaging graphics, and cutouts that allow customers to see the fruit contained within. The team took advantage of paperboard’s foldability and flexibility, designing Froot so that it could be shipped flat and easily assembled.
Froot isn’t yet available, but its success at the competition could open doors to see it gain entry into the produce market. Cal Poly has a history of turning out emerging packaging stars: The 2024 team won bronze at the WorldStar Global Packaging Competition for its sunscreen packaging.
