Lisa is a conversationalist and a socially aware person who believes in No Wastage of Food. Her sheer perseverance and cognitive approach helped her in building a formal business structure and streamlining the processes.

Sustainable packaging is emerging as one of the most important dynamics in the meat industry. Even though it is inevitable that this is the way forward, businesses are still divided about the tangible benefits that sustainable packing can offer. Due to misconceptions, it is thought that any kind of sustainable business practice results in cost escalations. To debunk this myth, it is important to look at the need for sustainable packing in the meat industry.

Enhances Product’s Shelf Life
Sustainable packaging methods have also played an important role in maintaining a vacuum for the packaged meat product. As compared to traditional packaging methods, this makes it possible for the product to remain fresh for longer.

Transparency
Transparent sustainable packaging methods ensure that meat products can be closely inspected by customers. Therefore, in case they can spot any fault with the meat, they can immediately bring it to the notice of the retailer. Transparent sustainable packing enables customers to make an informed choice. This also allows for better retail merchandising.

Consumer tastes are evolving
According to research conducted by FMCG giant Unilever, a third of consumers prefer to buy from brands which are doing good for the environment or society. Awareness about sustainability is increasing among individuals who look to do their bit for the environment. A brand that caters to these changing consumer tastes will do well over the long run.

Technology has Made it Possible
Thanks to new technology, innovations are possible in the field of sustainable packaging. For instance, companies have been experimenting with bamboo, sugarcane pulp and mushroom pulp to create biodegradable products that resemble styrofoam. Sheep’s wool is also being considered as a suitable alternative for sustainable insulated packaging. A Chinese startup has created a green recyclable packing box which can be reused upto 14 times. These boxes are waterproof, shock proof and heat resistant.

Reduces waste
Over the last six decades, mass production of plastics has reached

upto 8.3 billion metric tonnes, which is equivalent to the weight of a billion elephants! 40 percent of plastic which is used for packaging ends-up in land fills and around 30 percent of it is disposed in the oceans. According to a study, it is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.


Improves profit
Individuals are willing to pay more for supporting green initiatives. Certain countries also provide tax breaks for environmentally sustainable business practices and it may not be long be¬fore the same is implemented in India. All these would result in bumping-up the bottomline.

Allergen Free & Toxin Free
Some times, even if the meat is produced organically, the packaging ends up introducing toxins into it. Sustainable packaging uses materials which are allergen and toxin free. This ensures that the quality and flavour of the meat remain uncompromised. In fact, consumers are getting aware of the nontoxicity of bio-degradable products, hence getting attracted to brands which are using these for packaging.

Companies have been experimenting with bamboo, sugarcane pulp and mushroom pulp to create biodegradable products that resemble styrofoam

Save Shipping Costs
A firm can also endup saving shipping costs considerably. Sustainable packaging alternatives tend to be made of lighter materials and use space optimally. This results in fewer round trips or lighter load or both, which culminate into reduced shipping costs.

Improves Brand Image
Being a user of sustainable packaging material projects the brand image as caring for the environment. This not only enables a brand to receive positive press, but also earns respect among consumers who, as written earlier, wish to reduce their carbon footprint.

Prepare for Policy Changes
All over the world, governments and municipalities are pushing businesses to seriously contemplate on switching over to environmentally sustainable business practices. Leading countries across the world have already taken measures to prohibit packaging which is harmful to the environment. Rather than being caught unaware and having to shift almost overnight to sustainable packaging methods, it is better for an organization to plan in advance and implement the same when there is still time.

As each generation passes on, it wishes to leave a rich and positive legacy for the incoming one. Unfortunately, the state of our environment is going from bad to worse. The bulk of the after effects would be faced by the incoming generations. By adopting sustainable packaging methods, we can leave a better planet for those who come after us.