Packaging trends for the new year 2024

In 2024, packaging trends will be all about sustainability and innovation. The packaging industry is developing rapidly to meet the increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions. We want to take a look at why sustainable packaging is so important and what current packaging trends there are for food and to-go meals.

Where do sustainable packaging trends come from?

Commercially available single-use packaging is a major problem for environmental protection. Conventional plastic packaging has a long lifespan after disposal and pollutes the environment due to its low decomposition capacity. In Germany, an enormous amount of packaging waste is generated every year, which needs to be counteracted. This is where sustainable packaging trends come into play. Environmentally friendly packaging is made from renewable resources and can either be recycled or biodegraded. It helps to reduce the environmental impact. Therefore, sustainable packaging trends are an important step towards a sustainable circular economy to protect our planet.

Why is packaging so important?

Packaging plays a central role in the food and catering industry. It not only serves to protect and store food, but also to present and label products. Packaging is omnipresent. Environmentally harmful packaging therefore also leads to an enormous amount of waste, which has an extreme impact on the environment. For this reason, it is of utmost importance, especially in the to-go industry, to increasingly rely on sustainable packaging.

Which packaging is environmentally friendly?

Environmentally friendly to-go packaging is characterized by its recyclability and/or its production from sustainable materials. In particular, packaging made from recycled paper, cardboard or bio-based materials as well as reusable packaging are environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.

What environmentally friendly packaging trends are there for food and to-go meals?

There are various packaging trends for food in the catering industry, which we at Better-Pack actively support. New packaging alternatives are constantly being developed, which we regularly add to our ever-expanding range:

1. Bio-based and compostable packaging: Packaging made from bio-based materials such as sugar cane (bagasse), corn starch or mushroom mycelium is on the rise. Biodegradable packaging leaves extremely little environmental impact after disposal.

2. Paper and cardboard packaging: Paper and cardboard are increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. They are recyclable or compostable and offer a more environmentally friendly packaging option than aluminum or plastic containers.

3. Reusable packaging: Reusable packaging is becoming increasingly important, not least due to growing awareness. Customers can bring their own containers to pack food and take-away meals in. Cleaning and reusing saves materials and therefore produces less waste.

Packaging trends: sustainability and innovation in focus

The packaging trends for 2024 show a clear focus on sustainability. New environmentally friendly solutions are constantly being sought and innovative concepts are intended to meet environmental protection. Bio-based, compostable, recyclable and reusable packaging are becoming increasingly important and are setting an example for the promotion of a resource-saving future. By using packaging consciously, we can all make a positive contribution to protecting our environment and thus contribute to a desirable future!