Thailand’s Food and Beverage Industry Is Looking for Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic Packaging
The environmental impact of plastic has been a significant concern for decades. An increasing number of individuals are becoming aware of this issue and are seeking safer alternative solutions.
According to a United Nations paper, reported and analyzed by Statista[1], some countries have banned plastic as it takes a long process to recycle. Several states in the US join the European countries’ decision to reduce plastic usage by introducing regulations for factories, large-scale industries, and manufacturers.
In the Southeast Asian region, Thailand is making commendable progress in reducing plastic consumption. According to a NielsenIQ report, 74% of consumers in Thailand show responsibility in their shopping behavior. Consumers are taking some action in their lives to live more sustainably, with 50% of consumers taking their own shopping bags, avoiding waste, and minimizing electricity usage.
Thailand’s culinary industry plays a big part in the sustainability movement. It can contribute well to a greener cycle by providing eco-friendly food packaging. Approximately 421,800 food vendors are spread across 76 provinces of Thailand[2]. They are estimated to feed 42 million people on a daily basis. The number reaches more than half of Thailand’s population, which emphasizes how important food vendors are for Thai people. For that reason, the awareness of food and packaging waste should be given more attention.
Numerous eco-friendly packaging alternatives are available, but there are three main categories of food packaging[3] based on how the waste is processed. Which details to the following:
Recyclable Packaging
Shifting from disposable to recyclable packaging can help reduce waste significantly. The materials used for this packaging are glass, wood, fabric, or metal. Some other forms of recyclable packaging are bubble wrap and washable cups.
But the thing is, not all recyclable packaging is created equally. From the type of materials to its ability to decompose, there are things to consider in choosing the right packaging. Paper & cardboard are popular materials used to promote sustainability in packaging. It is easy to recycle and reuse several times before the quality degrades. The goal of recyclable packaging is to be used multiple times to avoid disposable waste that can be a problem in the future.
Biodegradable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging is made of materials that can decompose easily after disposal with the help of microorganisms. Its ability to decompose rapidly helps to control the buildup of waste in landfills and contributes to a safer and healthier environment. Biodegradable materials used in food packaging are derived from recycled sources without involving any toxic components.
Some biodegradable packaging forms that are commonly found are food waste, bamboo, bagasse boxes, burlap sacks, and so on. APP Group, a global leader in the paper and pulp industry, has been driving this transformation forward. Having a strong commitment to sustainability, the company delivers innovative paper packaging solutions tailored to the changing demands of the food industry.
Foopak Bio Natura exemplifies APP Group’s dedication to sustainability, offering a biodegradable board crafted from eco-friendly materials. This product line features compostable paper cups, food trays, and containers, all designed to reduce the environmental footprint of food packaging while ensuring food safety and quality. Developed over a decade of research and development, Foopak Bio Natura products are made from certified wood sources, are plastic-free (certified by Flustix), and free from optical brightening agents (OBA). They are also recyclable and repulpable without requiring any additional treatment or process. This makes them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
Compostable Packaging
The terms ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ are related to each other due to some similarities. Both biodegradable and compostable process materials with the help of microorganisms like bacteria or fungi. The use of non-toxic materials in both packaging is also very much alike.
Yet, there is a main difference that separates the two. Compostable materials like sugar cane, corn starch, or potato starch have a clear end: in a short amount of time, the materials will add nutrients to the soil.
Compostable materials are made of plants, which are easier to decompose without any special tools needed. Hence, it will not cause any harm to the environment.
All naturally compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable.
In order to support sustainable movement, especially related to food packaging in Thailand, APP Group participated in ProPak Asia 2024, conducted from June 12th to 15th, 2024. More environmentally friendly options in food packaging were introduced at the event, namely Enza and Foopak. The products are innovated to be reliable in maintaining food quality but are easily decomposed since they use biodegradable paper and materials.
APP Group addresses food and plastic waste issues happening in most parts of the globe. They introduce food packaging that’s greener and more reliable through Foopak Bio Natura. It’s not only plastic-free but also safe for food with PEFC, FDA, and ISEGA certification. Foopak by APP Group is compostable and recyclable without additional processing and reliable to seal the heat of the food.
The products are expected to be a better and safer alternative to plastic packaging. Not only in Thailand, APP Group distributes these certified paper packages to other areas, covering 65 countries on 6 continents in total.
As one of the biggest paper manufacturers in the world, APP Group offers quality and responsibility in their products. They are able to provide the best quality assurance, ranging from product quality to distribution and customer service.
Sources:
https://www.statista.com/chart/14120/the-countries-banning-plastic-bags/
https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/living/community/street-food-vendors-are-thailands-economic-lifeblood/
https://app.co.id/news-release-archive/-/asset_publisher/2Zbh0Mys3kKI/content/app-group-calls-on-the-f-b-packaging-industry-to-embrace-sustainability-at-propak-asia-2024
https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/living/community/street-food-vendors-are-thailands-economic-lifeblood/