Packaging

Packaging is often seen as a negative, below we are going to explore the truth behind packaging, the arguments for and against it and find out if it’s really necessary.

Why use packaging?

Packaging is used for all sorts of products and for many reasons, including protection, assisting in transportation as well as being visually appealing to the consumer.  Packaging is also necessary for hygiene, it protects food from contamination, which is particularly important for food eaten straight from the pack or raw. On its journey from a farm or factory the produce may have to survive extreme temperatures and/or multiple impacts.

Fact: A cucumber with 1.5 grams of cellophane will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks[1] compared to just 3-4 days without[3].

In countries where packaging and distribution systems are not as developed as Western Europe up to 50% of food is wasted before it gets to the store. This is compared to just 2-3% in Western Europe[1].

Since regulations were introduced in 1997, all large companies are legally required to recycle or recover a set percentage of all the packaging they produce. In 1998 Trading Standards introduced The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations.
These require businesses to ensure following items:

• The minimum amount of packaging is used.
• Noxious or hazardous substances are minimised.

Packaging can be recovered in at least one of the following ways:

• Recycling.
• Energy from waste.
• Biodegradation or composting.
• Where practical, packaging must be reusable.