FPI Says Green Packaging Trend To Grow in Demand
- Published: November 09, 2009
FALLS CHURCH, VA | The Foodservice Packaging Inst. (FPI) finds in a Trends Report surveying its members that there's a resurgence of the environmental movement causing an upswing in the demand for environmentally friendly packaging. The Trends Report is based on members' submissions as well as product debuts in FPI's Packaging Innovations and Insights newsletter and other general observations. Two sections report on what members think are trends in four key areas and on what FPI believes are the top three trends in foodservice packaging.
Findings indicate "green" has not only garnered a place in the foodservice industry but its demand is likely to grow as the national green movement and legislative changes continue to affect the foodservice packaging industry. New alternative materials, such as biopolymers, starches, and non-tree cellulose (such as sugarcane and bamboo), have entered the market proclaiming biodegradable and/or compostable benefits. Likewise the report also contends that changes to traditional materials used in the manufacture of foodservice packaging are making paper, plastic, and aluminum greener because of increased use of post-consumer recycled content and source reduction through light-weighting and fillers.
The report also indicates a general shift from plastics to paper packaging as well as movement away from polystyrene--the more traditional foodservice packaging material--toward polypropylene and polyethylene.
Other trends reported include foodservice operators offering lower priced items to attract cash-strapped consumers; new sales opportunities that tap into the foodservice trends of snacking and smaller portions; consolidation within the distribution community; and use of online bidding to control costs and achieve low prices.
The report is available free to members; nonmembers can purchase the report for $250. Contact Lynn Dyer at 703-538-3551 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
