How Plastic Packaging Comes in Handy with Food Protection
While people may think wasting food as an economic problem, the aftermath of the environment is far worse. The impact it has is significant to the carbon footprint rather than the source used to package. Growing food means investing in resources like land, water, energy, and fuel. 30% of the supplies are in turn wasted when food is drained into the wasteland. Around one-third of the food produced in the world for consumption, goes to waste every year. Half of which include the worlds annual cereal crops.
Another issue to tackle is the increase in population and the upsurge in consumer goods as the manufacturers are engaging in enhancing their additional value. They also need to ensure that the food is well persevered by using suitable packaging techniques that keeps the food fresh until the point of sale. While there are many different approaches to preserve food, plastic has always been the most reliable and preferred stance. The reason plastic has been able to stay in the market is because of its resistibility and durability.
Why Plastic are used in packaging food?
Plastic is versatile and is used a packaging material for various reasons:
- Being strong and lightweight, plastic can store more product with less packaging material, compared to other substitutes.
- Plastic can block the transmission of oxygen, which keeps the fresh meat intact and locks out the air which is responsible for the loss of flavour, texture, and nutrients.
- Plastic is easier to carry around. When taken in bulk, it saves space through shaking objects which make it convenient to transport.
- Plastic can to take on extreme temperatures and pressures. It also acts as a protective layer for the food and beverage by protecting it from micro-organisms, moisture, dust, and colours.
- Plastic is cheap and available in abundance which makes it efficient for small scale food manufacturers as it is on board with the standardized packaging alternatives.
- It reduces the emission of methane from food which is deadlier than carbon dioxide.
- Plastic can be easily recycled and reused. They don’t take much energy in production as compared to other materials.
Get to know your plastic
Plastics are identified by the numbers -The Resin Identification Code- it is important to know this due to the risk they pose.
Look around in your home to see these chasing arrows with the numbers present on the flip side of your plastic boxes, containers or bottles. Each symbol identifies the type of plastic used to make the product, if it’s recyclable or reusable. There is a high possibility that numbers, #3 and #7 has been infused with chemicals like BPA (bisphenol A) or PVC which can take a toll on your health. Whereas numbers #2, #4 and #5 engraved on the bottom are good quality plastics which are safe for use.
While recent detection may demote the use of the medium, let’s remember how plastic packaging is helping us curb down the struggle of wasting food.