Is Your Sustainable Packaging Ruining Your Shelf Life?

More companies are adopting sustainable packaging.

As more brands move away from traditional plastic and foam cushioning in favor of more sustainable packaging materials, a key question arises – can these sustainable packaging materials preserve and protect food and beverages throughout the entire shipping process, from the production line to the end of consumer use?

Consumer demand for environmentally friendly solutions is soaring. A 2023 Nielsen report showed that 78% of shoppers prioritize sustainable packaging when shopping. However, what impact do sustainable packaging materials have on the shelf life and freshness of food and beverages?

There is a direct connection between packaging and shelf life. How and under what conditions packaging is stored can determine a product's competitive advantage in terms of shelf life. For example:

• Moisture sensitivity: Compostable materials may degrade prematurely in humid environments.

  
  

• Oxygen exposure: Recycled plastics may lack the barrier properties of virgin materials.

  
  

• Physical durability: Lightweight plant-based packaging may fail during shipping or storage.

Certain sustainable or bio-based packaging materials present unique challenges to product integrity. Brands should choose packaging materials based on science, not trends.

Brands that are firmly committed to using sustainable packaging materials can benefit from extensive sensory and bacterial/product stability testing to improve the protection, integrity, and shelf life of their food and beverages.

The shift to eco-friendly packaging is more than a trend, it's a necessity. But sustainability doesn't have to come at the expense of product shelf life.

At BioPack, we specialize in high-performance sustainable packaging solutions tailored to your product's unique needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you strike a balance between the planet and your bottom line.