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Why Flexible Packaging
The flexible packaging industry leads important packaging trends by extending shelf life and increasing safety, design flexibility, convenience, and sustainability. Technical advances and innovative design have led to an amazing array of benefits.
Approximately 2/3 of all packaging is for food and beverages, and about 90% of flexible packaging is used for these products today. The benefits of flexible packaging are fueling its growth into new product categories as well. To add perspective, flexible packaging currently accounts for 39% of packaging globally, and about 19% in the U.S. The total global packaging market is approaching $1 trillion annually.
Flexible package’s features make life more convenient.
- Easy to store
- Extends product life
- Easy to reseal
- Easy to carry
- Easy to open
Studies have shown that in addition to the product and price, shoppers pay close attention to packaging and the benefits offered. In many cases, people will pay more for flexible packaging that delivers key benefits. Busy shoppers value convenience, product safety, longer shelf life – and brands are working hard to develop innovative flexible packaging solutions that will set their products apart from competitors.
Here are just a few examples of the many clever features that are built into today’s flexible packaging. Chances are, you have enjoyed some of these benefits without ever really thinking about it!
1. Daisy Sour Cream
- Resealable, easy to use and store
- No mess, no added utensils required
- Safety – tamper evident, low breakage
- Longer shelf life
- Less waste – no drip, no utensils
2. Prego Ready Meals
- Portion control
- Product visibility
- Microwaveable
- Servable container
- Portable
3. Cesar Gourmet Foods
- Value sizes
- Zipper closure – easy to reseal
- Safety – tamper evident
- Longer shelf life
Reducing Waste
Flexible packaging reduces waste at every stage of its life. It requires less energy and material to manufacture, reduces transportation costs because of its lighter weight, and sends less material to landfills. One of its greatest contributions is the reduction of food waste. This is a major challenge in the United States where about one-third of all food produced is disposed of before it is consumed, resulting in 1.3 billion tons of food thrown out annually.
Food waste is also a major contributor to both greenhouse gases and methane gas at landfills. Packaging, in general, and flexible packaging in particular, can reduce food waste. Many of the convenience benefits of flexible packaging contribute directly to reducing waste: resealable, cook and serve packaging, extended shelf life, portion control, portability.
Take a look at how dramatic the impact is for a number of everyday foods
New processing technologies are being refined for flexible packaging that promise to extend shelf life and freshness even further without the use of preservatives. They can involve vacuum packing, using extreme high pressure (high pressure processing – HPP) or even replacing the oxygen in a package with another inert gas (modified atmosphere packaging – MAP). Flexible packaging is well-suited to withstand these processes.
The EPA has established a goal to reduce food waste by 50% (from a 2015 baseline) by 2030 through voluntary programs. Many other countries have set similar goals. Flexible packaging can help us meet these goals.
Reducing E-Commerce Waste
E-commerce is experiencing global growth of approximately 20% annually. Since retailers charge based on dimensional weight (volume + weight), flexible packaging can reduce shipping costs and allow more items to fit on delivery trucks compared to corrugated cardboard boxes. Most clothing, footwear, and other lightweight items not prone to damage are well-suited to flexible packaging. In addition, e-commerce clothing and footwear products are returned at a rate of 20-30%, creating a great opportunity for easy open and resealable flexible packaging for easy return shipping.
Manufacturers Focus on Waste Reduction
Flexible packaging producers and converters run highly efficient processes in which they achieve very high levels of utilization of raw materials. Some converters, for instance, have a material efficiency (percentage of product sent out of their facility against raw materials purchased) of over 99%.
They have achieved high levels of efficiency by implementing several waste reduction measures. Most manufacturing scrap is reground and used in production of new flexible packaging films. Additionally, much of the waste materials that had previously been sent to landfills is now sent to other manufacturing outlets to be turned into other products like plastic lumber, high strength pond liners, and flower pots.
Prevent Food Waste With Flexible Plastic Packaging
Food waste is a major challenge in the United States. Roughly 1/3 of food waste results from cooking or serving too much and 2/3 of food waste is due to food spoilage. This results in 1.3 billion tons of food thrown out annually! Food waste is also a major source of greenhouse gases and methane gas emissions at landfills.
7 Benefits Of Flexible Packaging
Do you consider the benefits of packaging when shopping for products? Research by the Flexible Packaging Association reveals that shoppers seek packaging that provides convenience, product safety, and longer shelf life. Flexible packaging provides all of this and more! Check out these 7 key benefits below!
How Flexible Packaging Reduces Food Waste
In the United States, 1/3 of food waste is from cooking or serving too much, and 2/3 of food waste is due to food spoilage. This results in 1.3 billion tons of food thrown out annually! Food waste is also a major source of greenhouse gases and methane gas in landfills. While flexible packaging reduces waste during its whole lifespan, reducing food waste is a major contribution to its sustainability.
