Packaging Pivot: Considerations For Implementing Sustainable Packaging For Your Bakery

More and more of your customers are demanding clean packaging. Data shows that 43 per cent of U.S. consumers rate the environmental impact of their packaging as very important in purchasing decisions (McKinsey & Company, 2023).

New legislation is creating additional pressures on the food processing industry, including Ontario’s Extended Producer Responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, which shifts the cost of blue-box programs from municipalities to producers, and the federal Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, 2021, targeting zero plastic waste by 2030.

Many companies are looking for solutions to improve packaging sustainability to meet these requirements and adapt to shifting consumer attitudes, but there is a lot of complexity to making any changes.

Why is plastic a focus? In 2019, approximately 12 per cent or less of plastic packaging waste was recycled in Canada (Canada Plastics Pact, 2021), highlighting a significant waste management issue. The low recycling rate is influenced by the complexity of the recycling system, which includes varying rules across each municipality, multi-material and multi-layered packaging that contaminates recycling streams, and packaging components like adhesives, heavily pigmented materials, bleeding inks, and additives that add complexity to the recycling process. The attributes that make plastics difficult to recycle also make them a good barrier for preserving the shelf life of products. This makes their replacement challenging.

At the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL), bakeries often ask us for more sustainable options and support to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging.

Reuse
Packaging that is reusable provides one of the most preferred options to enhance sustainability. Consider offering reusable items for dine-in customers, or reusable, returnable packaging. For best results, make reusable packaging the default option and include its cost in the item price. This way, customers can return the packaging for a refund or credit towards their next purchase. Clearly communicate with customers about the reusable packaging system, including information on the cleaning process and its environmental benefits (Sustainable Packaging Coalition, 2024). A great example of a reusable system in the market is Friendlier Co., who have proven that their innovative returnable container system can be executed at a large scale.

Compostables
A 2020 study of 97 Canadian composting facilities revealed that only 10.4 per cent accepted fibre compostable packaging, and just 1.0 per cent accepted all compostable packaging, including bioplastics (Sustainable Packaging Coalition, 2021). This underscores the importance of bakeries aligning their packaging choices with the capabilities of their local waste management systems. Although compostables are an alternative to plastics their application is limited due to their low barrier properties and short shelf life.

Recycling
Sourcing recycled materials can be a significant challenge as the post-consumer recycled materials available do not meet the current demand of producers. It is expected that as demand increases so will facilities to recycle materials. To ensure success in transitioning to packaging with recycled content, it is important to opt for materials and designs that are easy to recycle. Avoid packaging that requires customers to separate components; if separation is needed, make sure the process is straightforward and provide clear instructions on the packaging (Gürlich et al., 2021). To ensure the best outcomes, choose packaging that doesn’t leave adhesive residue and avoid using bleeding inks and strong dyes, as they can complicate sorting and contaminate the recycling process. Instead, use non-bleeding inks or alternatives like embossing or laser engraving for logos, best-before dates and batch numbers (Gürlich et al., 2021).

How do I get started?
When transitioning to more sustainable packaging, it’s important to choose materials that fulfil your business requirements while ensuring food safety, quality and the shelf life of your product. Plastic packaging with excellent barrier properties can extend product shelf life, but these materials often consist of multiple components that hinder recycling. A solution that results in greater food waste may have a greater negative environmental impact than the original, less sustainable packaging.

Adherence to the Golden Design Rules for Plastic Packaging, established by the Consumer Goods Forum’s Plastic Waste Coalition of Action, will improve the recyclability and sustainability of your plastic packaging.

Look for packaging vendors who focus on sustainability and offer clear information about the materials they use and the accuracy of their environmental claims.

Transitioning to sustainable packaging is a gradual process without a one-size-fits-all solution. Research thoroughly and collaborate closely with your brand. CFRIL is here to support your business through your sustainability journey. Reach out anytime cfril@conestogac.on.ca.

References

• Association of Municipalities of Ontario. (2023). Ontario baseline waste & recycling report. https://www.amo.on.ca/sites/default/files/assets/DOCUMENTS/Waste/2023/AMO-ON-Baseline-2023-v6-AODA.pdf
• Canada Plastics Pact. (2021). Canada Plastics Pact foundational research and study: Canadian plastic packaging flows. [Report]. https://plasticspact.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CPP-Foundational-Research-on-Canadian-Plastics-Packaging-Flows-May-2021-final.pdf
• Canada Plastics Pact. (n.d.). The golden design rules for plastics packaging. https://goldendesignrules.plasticspact.ca/
• Government of Canada. (2021, April). Reducing municipal solid waste. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-reducing-waste/municipal-solid/reducing.html
• Gürlich, U., Kladnik, V., Tacker, M., & Kreuzinger, M. (2021). Packaging design for recycling: a global recommendation for circular packaging design. World Packaging Organization: Vienna, Austria. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32048.69121
• McKinsey & Company. (2023, April 26). Sustainability in packaging: US survey insights. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/packaging-and-paper/our-insights/sustainability-in-packaging-us-survey-insights
• Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 12. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/16r12
• Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, SOR/2022-138. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2022-138/page-1.html
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2021, January). Understanding the role of compostable packaging in North America. https://sustainablepackaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/UnderstandingCompostablePackagingGuide.pdf
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2024). Framework for Scaling Reuse. https://sustainablepackaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SPC_Reuse-Framework_2024_FINAL.pdf
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024a). Sustainable Management of Food | Wasted Food Scale. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/wasted-food-scale