The issue of sustainability continues trending upward, driven by issues such as net-zero emissions, biodiversity, climate action, and a circular economy. People aren’t just paying lip service to this concept. Businesses, individuals, and governments are looking for ways to save the planet.

Companies are examining new ways to improve their sustainability practices. It’s not just about them. It’s also about their supply chains, vendors, logistics, and everything else involved in their operations. And consumers are increasingly seeking to do business with those whose commitment to sustainability is demonstrable. 

As consumer demand rises and resources decline, everyone needs to ramp up their environmental game. Among those efforts is sustainable sourcing, which helps protect our planet’s resources. Here’s how it does.

It Protects Natural Resources

Most of us take resources such as water, air, and soil for granted. It’s difficult to imagine that they won’t be here forever. But if companies don’t take steps to protect our natural resources, they will eventually disappear.

Organic farming is one answer. The absence of chemical pesticide use produces far fewer greenhouse gas emissions, improves soil and water quality, and maintains biodiversity. It also results in the safe storage of vast amounts of carbon dioxide in the soil, keeping it out of the atmosphere.

Food and beverage producers, for example, are taking note. Many are not only sourcing ingredients from sustainable suppliers but also partnering with co-packing services that share these environmental values. Co-packers that prioritize sustainable practices help companies create products that are healthier and free from chemicals and preservatives, while also protecting our natural resources.

Of course, organic farming practices are more expensive, which means procuring these products cost more as well. But it’s an investment in the future that will need our natural resources as much as we do now.

It Reduces Our Carbon Footprint

We hear a lot about our carbon footprint. That’s the amount of carbon dioxide and methane we produce during the course of a day. Those greenhouse gas emissions are what’s causing the planet’s temperatures to rise, so reducing them is vital.

Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why companies are looking for ways to green up their supply chains, production, and shipping methods. Finding more local suppliers and using electric vehicle fleets are a couple means to that end.

Where products come from and how they’re produced is also where companies need to amp up their sustainability game. While cheap Chinese goods are easy on the budget, they’re killers on emissions. From low-quality materials used to coal-fired energy used in production to the distance to transport, they take a toll on the planet. Companies that opt for greener products instead make a difference.

The need to reduce emissions is immediate. We need only to look at rising sea levels, rampant wildfires, drought, and devastating weather events as evidence. Sourcing products and services from companies using sustainable practices means no longer giving businesses with huge carbon footprints a pass.

It Builds Resilient Communities

Companies source materials and products from communities of all shapes and sizes, all over the world. The resources of the planet pay a heavy price in some of the poorest countries. That’s because their resources are often exploited by wealthier ones.

Take the mining of lithium that’s destroying the environment. In Zimbabwe, for example, illegal trade, corruption, child labor, and unsafe working conditions mix with environmental destruction. Lithium requires massive water resources, which are already scarce, and pollutes water as well.

If more companies source sustainably, they can create communities that are more resilient against corruption and the effects of climate change. Bolstering economies will help them build better infrastructure that will help them mitigate environmental issues. And public transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and green energy production will help them thrive while reducing negative environmental impact.

Responsible sourcing can build collaboration between the materials that companies need and the communities providing them. From raw materials to consumers, that kind of chain can protect the planet. And if that happens, everyone benefits.

It Builds Commitment

Corporate commitment to sustainable sourcing and procurement begins with a company’s ESG program. That comprises the practices they undertake to measure their impact on the environment, society, and governance. Then, they find ways to reduce the negative impact they measure.

When companies make a commitment to sustainability, they will inevitably need to work with others that have likewise committed. They don’t operate in a vacuum, so they have to reduce their negative environmental impact by partnering with like-minded companies. It’s that demand that should force businesses lagging in sustainability efforts into action.

This demand helps improve the planet in another way, by driving innovation. Climate change can’t be solved overnight. But companies become increasingly creative when challenged to find greener alternatives to traditional ways of doing business. That innovation can lead to a more rapid transformation from environmental destruction to protection.

Moreover, as governments embrace sustainability, companies will have to respond accordingly or face costly penalties. And while protecting the environment should provide the impetus for sustainable sourcing, money talks as well. Even if profits are the primary goal, the planet still gets its share of a different kind of wealth.

Get It from the Source

The need to keep overhead low to reap higher profits puts companies in a somewhat complicated relationship with the planet. But they must find ways to reconcile their bottom lines with the higher cost of sustainable sourcing. Otherwise, there may not be a planet to profit from.

The post How Sustainable Sourcing Practices Protect Our Planet’s Resources appeared first on Green Prophet.

Switching to ecological food packaging is one of the most effective steps restaurants can take towards sustainability. As the environmental movement rises, more and more conscious consumers look to do business with companies that reflect their values through ethical means.

Many consumers seek packaging options that help reduce physical waste. Compostable packaging checks all the boxes—enticing new patrons could also give you an edge over competitors.

Due to the petroleum-based material that traditional plastic and foam serving ware are constructed from, these items have been polluting our oceans, lands, and, ultimately, the planet for centuries as they NEVER biodegrade.

Yet, as numerous brands are now manufacturing compostable alternatives, there is no excuse for any more establishments in the food industry to destroy our environment further. With more sustainable offerings to restaurants, they can operate more ethically and reach an electorally responsible market as well.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Food Packaging?

Environmental Benefits

Swapping to compostable food packaging comes with substantial environmental benefits. These are often made out of traditional, nonrenewable plastics that take millions of years to break down and pollute wildlife and habitats.

Compostable containers are made of a plant-based source, such as sugarcane, bamboo-or even paper or bagasse-and completely biodegrade within 3 months when disposed of correctly.

Yet, for true decay to occur and for the material to be utilized in an environmentally friendly manner, a commercial composting facility would be needed to help it decompose properly.

When the Earth is kept clean from plastic/foam litter, it prevents dustbins from building up with foam/plastic waste for endless decades or spreading into oceans/lakes/waterways and the wilderness of forests and lands beyond.

Restaurants can take a hint and reduce their footprint by choosing eco-friendly options like sturdy, water-resistant, and sustainable kraft paper, which offers the greenest solution for saving our forests.

Cost-Effectiveness

Restaurant owners may find it daunting to consider retiring existing packaging and transitioning to more sustainable choices. They worry that swapping out one thing for another will hike up costs in the long term. Recyclable materials like glass, kraft paper, metal, and cardboard can also be cost-effective and eco-friendly, offering potential energy savings from recycling processes.

However, compostable products can frequently cost the same or actually less than their traditional plastic and foam counterparts, as many communities have reduced expensive trash disposal costs.

As an illustration, published landfill dumping fees suffice to make a 32-oz compostable cup price the very same or moderately less than a 32-ounce foam disposable cup.

Some state and county financial incentive programs encouraging eco-innovation may provide energy subsidies, which can lead to even further savings on compostable supplies. Green Paper Products enables customers to go green without losing out on profit margins thanks to cost-wise packaging front-of-back switching.

Customer Appeal

Data from a 2019 investigation into how companies use sustainable practices to care for their environment showed that Americans consider it more important than food quality to patronize higher-end eating places with eco-friendly packaging and policies.

As diners, this is indicative of a high enough percentage of thoughtful consumers who were willing to pay more for the brands they support to preach their social responsibility loudly.

Compostable packaging, which resonates with this fraction of Earth’s inhabitants, allows restaurants to attract these eco-friendly consumers and cultivate goodwill in communities. The utilization of green choices supplies services with a competitive benefit and also awards existing customers for supporting companies that straighten with their wish to lower waste.

Sustainability also plays well with a growing cohort of Gen Z and millennial consumers who are demanding that brands align themselves, if not entirely, then at least in part, around their values. Shifting operations allow restaurants to target conscientious consumers who influence them from liberal patrons.

Read More: The Easiest Ways For Businesses To Improve Their Reputation For Sustainability

How to Transition to Compostable Packaging

Assess Your Current Packaging

First and foremost, the process should start by evaluating whatever items are used to ensure they comply with environmental standards. It is also important to assess the use of recyclable materials to enhance sustainability.

Review what types of disposables you have and how many containers, wrappers, cutlery, or other disposables you have.

Record the brand and which part of the restaurant uses each item. Identify a process for substituting plastic or foam offerings that perform the same function with certified compostable alternatives.

This will prove useful later on when you need to switch over. Record the findings clearly! Conducting a holistic evaluation, which identifies savings throughout the operations, makes it easier to adopt sustainable alternatives.

Selecting the Right Compostable Products

Then, check out the options of packaging suppliers that deal with food-related items. These include authentic plant-based containers, plates, cups, wraps, utensils, and so on. They are made from Sugarcane bagasse, bamboo paper, and bioplastic renewable sources.

Plant-based packaging is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable using sources like corn and cornstarch, which in turn make them cost-effective and earth-friendly for food companies.

Do your research on compostability certifications (Ex, ASTM D6400) and BPI-endorsed products, which say items will break down completely in 180 days. Ask for free sample packs to fondle quality and judge the value before paying in bulk.

For fast-casual restaurants and catering events, renewable materials like bagasse molded fiber food containers are a must to reduce their environmental impact.

Always verify compostability by reviewing materials, logos, and specifications to ensure that they can be processed at your local facility- regional standards vary. Prescribe with reps for best eco-products costs and inventory requirements. Ensure that selected products can be processed at a commercial composting facility to maximize their environmental benefits.

Implementing the Change

Once they have researched and selected eco-friendly packaging options, restaurants must then effectively transition by educating their entire staff about why making more sustainable choices is important, as well as instructing them on how to use them correctly.

Increased in-store visibility through clear signage, leveraged social media campaigns and communicated new commitments with team members through community outreach newsletters or flyers. This, in turn, required customers to be educated to explain how packaging changes lead to less waste and land pollution.

Think about temporary menu markdowns encouraging customers to use refillable containers, which will result in more savings on food costs over the long term. Switching to these green operations is not easy; the transition stage often feels a bit painful initially, but if tried persistently, its results are worth all the trouble.

Read More: 4 Simple Swaps You Can Make to Live a More Eco-Friendly Life

Using Social Media to Get the Word Out

Social platforms constantly have free tools to help you tell your sustainability story far and wide. Highlight your use of eco-friendly packaging by posting significant milestone transitions on Facebook, BTS images from the changeover, and visually appealing graphics in support of eco-values on Instagram & Twitter.

Show happy reactions from customers about your change and ask followers how exactly you can green up next. Incentivize preferred sustainable choices by geo-targeting social ads for picturesque locations and promoting special discounts.

Collaborate with influencers, feeding them comp items that lead to organic posts from local figures. Then, demonstrate your commitment to those areas you feel most strongly about to cultivate loyalty among followers.

Read More: What is meant by the decarbonization of industry?

Benefits Beyond Packaging

Containers do not need to be the end of a sea change complete rewrite. Think beyond solar and other efficiency-boosting technologies, low-flow fixtures, bulk condiment dispensers, or digital menus (say goodbye to laminated Petri dishes a menu). Embrace sustainable packaging to support food service operators in creating successful businesses while contributing positively to the environment.

Conduct a carpool promotion on employee greening, put reusable dishware in break rooms, and put it in waste to make it worthwhile: conduct donation drives that keep usable items out of landfills.

Work with local farms to compost food waste and join consortia purchasing networks for the lowest natural cleaners prices. Globally, a 360 Vision of being fully Sustainable affects Triple Bottom Lines; environmental, social, and financial returns at a large scale.

Conclusion and Insights

These practical examples present a good case as to why eco-friendly packaging is advantageous for the environment and business. In doing so, compostable products reduce waste and attract environmentally-conscious modern consumers with community-minded choices.

This will only reinforce the call for all industries to ‘green up’ from consumer demand, competition, and tougher laws. For now, restaurants adopting sustainability are seeing a first-mover lift to break from larger competitors dragging their feet on progress.

By packing up with notorious suppliers, the process of flipping to certified offerings is sped up and more efficiently compasses brands stewardly. Transform your operations today and make a significant impact on goodwill in the community with Green Paper Products. The future seems bleak, but we can always build it to be brighter, one takeout container at a time.

Read More: Microplastics from brushing your teeth and wearing plastic aligners?

Green Paper Products a Greener Future

More customers, especially young diners, prefer indulging in restaurants that act purposefully regarding the environmental choices that they make during operations, including the use of sustainable packaging. Early adopters moving to compostable solutions are dominant over the laggards, thus placing them ahead in environmental position.

Transitioning operations takes some tweaks in the short term, but working with an experienced supplier makes the process easier. Green Paper Products has years of experience helping the food industry switch over to certified compostable products.

All their containers, cutlery, and plates are fully tested to be compliant with the ASTM compostability standard. Their products provide an alternative to traditional plastic and foam items, as sustainability properties along with a cost efficiency benchmark against comparable performance.

When staging your restaurant for eco-packaging solutions, contact Green Paper Products. Find out more about your needs and book a free consultation today! Their in-house packaging expert can assess your current supplies, offer compostable options or sustainable paper alternatives, and create a made-to-measure switch plan.

Take advantage of this – sign up now to receive exclusive, introductory pricing for your first order. Green Paper Products is here to help bring your business closer than ever to sustainability.

The post Transform Your Restaurant with Eco- Friendly Food Packaging: The Benefits of Going Compostable appeared first on Green Prophet.

Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas Provides 5 Smart Approaches To Sustainable Packaging Design

It is no secret that more and more people are joining in the everyday fight against climate change. All over the world, people are doing what they can to minimize their carbon footprint and push for more sustainable living practices to help our planet.

While doing things like opting for a greener method of transportation and reducing how much electricity we’re using is important, one of the environment’s biggest problem is the packaging. Whether plastic, glass, paper, styrofoam, or some alternative material, packaging is visible in every aspect of our daily lives. 

Single-use plastic packaging in particular, has already faced heavy criticism for several reasons, no less because over 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year. Not only are fossil fuels used in plastic production, but the time it takes for plastic to degrade fully is often absurdly long, with an estimated 450 years needed for plastic bottles to break down.

However, even green alternatives can have their downsides; glass is difficult to recycle, and the weight of glass bottles makes them less practical compared to lightweight and flexible plastics. Paper is naturally biodegradable, but this may be affected by food-safe treatments that allow it to act as food packaging; paper that is unclean or soiled by food residue is also difficult or even impossible to recycle, limiting the ways it can be safely returned back to the environment.

With all things considered, it’s easy to understand why businesses such as  Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas are seeking out sustainable solutions to single-use packaging, especially for food packaging in particular. Finding eco-friendly alternatives that are both effective and cost-friendly is key to making sustainability accessible to the greater public, and continuing the trend towards a greener tomorrow.

Why business owners and brands need to get on board

Beyond the moral and ethical incentives behind sustainable packaging designs, there are also plenty of financial incentives for businesses and organizations to consider. There is an increasing number of people who are willing to pay a premium price for products that offer a more sustainable solution, with this growing consumer need directly affecting purchasing decisions.

In addition, businesses and brands that are focused on more sustainable operations including the use of eco-friendly packaging, can be viewed more favorably by consumers and provide an edge over competitors who are not yet doing so. Regardless of the quality of your actual product, the sustainability of its packaging can have a huge impact on whether a consumer chooses to buy it over a competitor’s.

So how can pulp and paper companies explore new and innovative approaches to food packaging design? Here are 5 ways Asia Pulp and Paper continue to push the envelope:

1. Usage of certified wood

Businesses should ensure that the paper used in their production of packaging materials is both certified and traceable. 

To help facilitate this, Asia Pulp and Paper developed internal Supplier Evaluation and Risk Assessment (SERA) tools to ensure their Responsible Fiber Procurement and Purchasing Policy (RFPPP) is carried out across all business units of the organization. Potential suppliers are evaluated against considerations such as GMO-free production, protection of High Conservation Values (HCV) or High Carbon Stock (HCS), and a chain of custody system. Formal third-party certification is also brought in as part of a ‘chain of custody’ assurance tool to ensure the traceability of the fiber sources throughout the production process.

Asia Pulp & Paper also utilizes what’s called the Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plan (ISFMP) in its production as part of its wider Forest Conservation Policy (FCP). The ISFMP relies on various assessments such as HCV, HCS, Social Conflict Mapping, legal obligations, and comprehensive stakeholder input to ensure that the land resources used by Asia Pulp & Paper can be fully and transparently accounted for.

Measures within the ISFMP include setting long-term forest management goals for each Forest Management Unit (FMU), action plans to help the FMY address wider forest management concerns; and updated maps of concession areas that address land right status in all supplier concessions.

This ensures that production can continue alongside responsible forest management, balancing the company’s business interests with wider sustainability concerns.

2. Pursuing biodegradability or compostability of products

It is vital that sustainable food packaging alternatives can be broken down in a fraction of the time as their plastic counterparts if we are to make advances in the battle against plastic pollution successfully. 

The range of Foopak Bio Natura compostable packaging available through Asia Pulp and Paper is completely biodegradable either at an industrial composting facility or at home, in 12 weeks and 24 weeks respectively. This is due to the aqueous dispersion coating – which is fully biodegradable – that replaces the traditional plastic lining. Each of the products in the Foopak Bio Natura range is also repulpable and recyclable should composting not be an option – making it a feasible alternative in regions where composting resources are limited.

Adhering to FDA (USA) regulations and European Union standards for food and beverage direct contact,  these compostable packaging options are completely safe for use across all kinds of foods and drinks while also providing businesses with a versatile, eco-friendly packaging option. 

3. Going completely plastic-free

Returning to the fact that just under 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced annually – much of which finds its way into our oceans or bodies as microplastics – another absolutely essential piece of the puzzle is sustainable food packaging that has no plastic in it at all. 

Understanding the growing need for green packaging from both consumers and businesses, Asia Pulp and Paper has answered the call and spent several years developing packaging products that are not only free of plastic but are also made with certified natural wood that can be broken down incredibly quickly. These include the Natura Cup as well as the Bio Container and PE Board within Asia Pulp & Paper’s Foopak Bio Natura range.

This innovative design tackles a crucial sore point in green food packaging alternatives, which is that a vast majority of food packaging options are a combination of paper and plastic to ensure the packaging can store food properly and safely. Unfortunately, food packaging made from both paper and plastic cannot be recycled due to the lack of technology in processing plants for separating the two, which means it’s sent directly to landfill – contributing to pollution and carbon emissions.

Flustix, the first and only registered EU sustainability regarding plastic usage in products, has also officially certified Asia Pulp and Paper’s Foopak Bio Natura collection as being completely free of all plastic. 

4. Ensuring product robustness and versatility

There have been some eco-friendly packaging alternatives released in the past specifically for food and beverages, which simply haven’t been able to meet the necessary requirements for safe and convenient food storage. Coming apart easily, leaking, and breaking down while still being used are some of the common concerns raised that may turn consumers and businesses alike off sustainable packaging alternatives. 

However, the extensive quality control and testing that Asia Pulp and Paper conducts to create the Foopak Bio Natura eco packaging range has specifically targeted and resolved all of these issues. 

Each item in the collection boasts a strong edge wick which offers better functionality than a standard paper cup. The range of products has also been designed to withstand temperatures ranging from -0.4° Fahrenheit all the way to 428° Fahrenheit. The products are microwavable and even ovenable, enabling a myriad of different usages for businesses and consumers alike. 

5. Removing all unnecessary components

By getting rid of any and all elements that aren’t absolutely essential for the packaging to function correctly will drastically reduce the amount of waste that goes into the production process.

For example, by utilizing a heat seal capability that provides permanent bonding on its Foopak Bio Natura products, Asia Pulp and Paper has negated the need for adhesive to be used. This increases the product’s biodegradability and recyclability, making it a more effective way to encourage consumers to pursue sustainable options within their everyday lifestyles.

Pursuing Innovative Design for Sustainable Packaging

When it comes to sustainability in packaging products, Asia Pulp and Paper continues to lead the way in innovative approaches across all elements of the production process and far beyond. Through an extensive amount of in-depth research and a passion for more environmentally-friendly and eco-friendly solutions, the team at Asia Pulp & Paper now delivers a range of sustainable plastic-free food packaging products.

Indeed, packaging waste no longer has to be one of the biggest threats to our environment provided more informed purchasing decisions are made by businesses operating in the pulp, paper, and packaging industry.

The post Asia Pulp & Paper’s Smart Sustainable Packaging Approaches appeared first on Green Prophet.

“Food futurologists” at the London-based Robin Collective are developing the cups. Co-founder and creative director Brandy Wright described the construction: printable sugar paper will wrap a cup-shaped cookie lined with a layer of heat-resistant white chocolate – the hot drink will slowly melt the chocolate lining while you sip the brew.

There are also plans to imbue some cups with specialty aromas.  So skip that vanilla shot, and opt instead for scents such as coconut sun tan lotion, freshly cut grass and wild flowers.

Wright told The Telegraph, “These scents were used in our recipes as they have a natural ability to evoke the positive memories we associate with warm weather, sunshine and summer holidays.”  No word yet on if or when these cups will be available at KFCs outside the U.K.

In concept, edible fast-food containers could appeal to consumers on several levels. Branding expert Tracey Riese told USA Today, “It could fit with any number of brand positions from ‘fast’; to ‘green’ to ‘fun’.”  She sees the cups appealing to eco-minded Millennials, who want products and packaging technologies that are better for the environment.

Tasty, and eco-smart, as they will divert some single-use cups from the trash, but what about calories and nutritional value? The product announcement came this week but technical design details were scant. “The cups are still in the test and development stage under lock and key,” a KFC representative told Quartz.

America cooked up convenience food, which is now a staple daily of diets far beyond U.S. borders. Fast food isn’t exported is isolation – junk food comes with associated health problems. In Britain, where the Scoff-ee cups will be first released, 64% of adults are overweight or obese according to the BBC.

The Middle East boasts some of the fattest populations on the planet. It’s a hungry market for fast food, gobbling up Western fat-enablers such as “all-you-can-eat” restaurants and home delivery services.

The simple tradition of coffee drinking is an essential ingredient of Middle Eastern hospitality. Tricking it out with sugary candy/cookie cups and regional aromas (sheesha and cigarette smoke? fresh-baked pita? diesel fumes?) would be a sure-win marketing campaign for a new demographic.

Considering our region’s skyrocketing rates of diabetes and heart disease, we can only hope that a health-minded cleric calls a fatwa on this foolishness.  Let’s pull Dame Julie Andrews out of retirement for an ironic Mary Poppins redux, this time singing, “A spoonful of sugar (and fat) makes the landfills go down”.

The post 100% edible coffee cups; tasty, eco-friendly, and straight to your hips appeared first on Green Prophet.