When we waste food, we also waste a lot of the time, energy, and resources that are involved in food production. In the US alone, 108 million pounds of food go to waste every year. This amounts to almost 40% of all food in the US, $408 billion in food costs, and around 130 billion meals thrown away annually. That's a lot to take in, we know!
Since a lot of fresh food can often go to waste, frozen food offers brands and customers a better alternative. However, the plastic pollution from the frozen food packaging materials can harm the environment, ending up in landfills and oceans, and impacting wildlife populations.
Plastic is mainly used for frozen food packaging as it preserves flavors for a long time, increases shelf life, and reduces spoilage. Today, many frozen food pouches are made of thin, lightweight plastics that reduce packaging waste while preserving food freshness.
However, there have been rising concerns over the use of plastics for such packaging. Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean. As plastic pollution has grown exponentially, many companies are pledging to eliminate plastic from their processes.
Challenge To Replace Plastic
Plastics offer the industry an easy, lightweight solution to packaging that can withstand high temperatures, maintain the freshness and quality of the product, and extend its shelf life. While there are paper-based alternatives, they have been unable to match plastic frozen food pouches, which are superior, leak-proof, and moisture and puncture-resistant.
Frozen food packaging materials must be strong enough to withstand the pressure from cooling, freezing, storage, transportation, sealing, and even cooking in some cases. Water content expands and contracts based on the temperature. As such, frozen food packaging for small businesses must be strong and flexible to withstand these changes.
The Impact of Plastic Packaging
While plastic might be more durable in storing and keeping food fresh, it can have serious implications on the environment. Plastic packaging for frozen foods contributes to numerous environmental hazards, such as plastic pollution, and various health-related problems.
Plastic Pollution
Plastic flexible bags for frozen food packaging significantly impact the environment if they are not recycled, reused, or disposed of properly. One of the most prominent challenges is single-use plastic that cannot be recycled or reused. These plastics mostly end up in landfills or the ocean.
In recent years, many countries have taken progressive steps to ban single-use plastics. When plastic packaging ends up in the ocean, it causes damage to not only marine life, but the sustainability of larger marine ecosystems and food chains. Several reports have demonstrated increasing fatalities of marine creatures from ingesting plastics.
However, the tons of garbage in the ocean are only part of a more severe and significant problem. If not acted upon, plastic pollution could create an imbalance in the global ecosystem, forcing natural environments to absorb toxic plastic residues.
Health Hazard
In addition to their impact on the environment, plastic flexible bags for frozen food packaging can lead to a host of health-related problems.
Similarly, plastic-wrapped frozen foods, like frozen pizzas and burgers, are not as clean as you think. They can introduce chemicals that contain phthalates into your food, which produce endocrine disruptors.
Plastic Pouch Packaging Alternatives for Frozen Food
At noissue, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact with our frozen food packaging for small businesses! Also known as stand up pouches, noissue Custom Frozen Food Packaging Pouches are FDA approved for use with food products.
You and your customers won't have to worry about product going bad since these stand up pouches are created from freezer-safe material. They also feature high-barrier films and resealable opening to help preserve colors, textures, and taste!
Not to mention, noissue Wholesale Custom Frozen Food Pouches are made from recyclable and compostable materials, so nothing from your brand will end up as excessive waste. After use, these pouches can be conveniently recycled where soft plastics are accepted or commercially composted.
🎁 Wrapping it up
So there you have it! Fully customizable and sustainable packaging for your frozen eats don't have to come at the cost of the environment. Get started with creating your brand's unique design on recyclable and compostable stand up pouches!
Looking to stock up on sustainable packaging, shipping, and marketing supplies? Check out our range of eco-friendly food packaging and dining products to discover the sustainable options you need to make your business the best it can be.