Trends in Sustainability and Innovative Food Packaging Materials: An Overview

Year 2024, Issue: Yeşil Dönüşüm Özel Sayısı, 65 - 77, 23.09.2024

Cengiz Caner , Muhammed Yüceer , Bruce Harte

https://doi.org/10.24323/akademik-gida.1554476

Abstract

Globally, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted or lost every year. This loss is valued at US $2.6 trillion and accounts for 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Food waste is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and results in a waste of natural resources. Therefore, reducing food waste can help diminish GHG emissions, improve food security, and promote healthy food systems. Packaging plays an important role in protecting food, enhancing quality and safety, and reducing food losses. Innovative and sustainable packaging strategies are necessary to decrease waste accumulation, particularly of plastics, safeguard food quality and safety, and reduce food losses and waste. Sustainable packaging aims to enhance the effectiveness of design and the use of environmentally friendly materials. This review provides an overview of the sustainable status of common packaging materials such as plastic, glass, metal, and paper/cardboard based on the circular economy, which includes recycling, reuse, composting, and bio-based packaging. The study examines new developments in food packaging materials in response to the growing demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives. Several applications from food companies and sustainable studies are discussed regarding continuous availability without impacting the environment. Ongoing research and technological advancements, such as material reduction, the development of innovative new materials like bio-plastics, and improvements in recycling, will contribute to increasing the acceptance of sustainable packaging. Definitions, requirements, limitations, legislation, and applications of sustainable packaging are explored. Sustainable packaging can stimulate economic growth and offer new opportunities for companies, notably by helping the environment and reducing the carbon footprint. However, the cost of sustainable packaging can still be challenging for small businesses. Determining whether consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging is also crucial in this transition.

Keywords

Sustainability, Sustainable packaging, Eco-friendly materials, Biopolymer, Less-waste

Sürdürülebilirlik ve Yenilikçi Gıda Ambalajlama Malzemelerindeki Eğilimler: Genel Bakış

Abstract

Dünya çapında her yıl 1.3 milyon ton gıda israf ediliyor veya kayboluyor. Bu, 2.6 trilyon ABD doları değerinde ve sera gazı emisyonlarının %8-10'unu oluşturuyor. Gıda israfı, sera gazı emisyonlarının ve doğal kaynakların israfının başlıca kaynaklarından biridir. Bu nedenle, gıda israfını azaltmak, sera gazı emisyonlarını azaltmaya, gıda güvenliğini artırmaya ve sağlıklı gıda sistemlerini teşvik etmeye yardımcı olabilir. Ambalaj, gıdayı korumada, kalite/güvenliği iyileştirmede ve gıda kayıplarını azaltmada önemli bir rol oynar. Atık birikimini, özellikle plastikleri azaltmak, gıda kalitesini/güvenliğini korumak ve gıda kayıplarını ve israfını azaltmak için yenilikçi ve sürdürülebilir ambalaj stratejileri gereklidir. Sürdürülebilir ambalaj, tasarımın etkinliğini ve çevre dostu malzemelerin kullanımını artırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu inceleme, geri dönüşüm, yeniden kullanım, kompostlama ve biyolojik bazlı ambalajı içeren dairesel ekonomiye dayalı olarak plastik, cam, metal ve kağıt/karton gibi yaygın ambalaj malzemelerinin sürdürülebilir durumuna genel bir bakış sunmaktadır. Çalışma, çevreye uygun ikamelere olan artan ihtiyaca yanıt olarak gıda ambalaj malzemelerinde yeni gelişmeleri incelemektedir. Gıda şirketlerinin çeşitli uygulamaları ve sürdürülebilir çalışmalar, çevreyi etkilemeden sürekli kullanılabilirlik konusunda tartışılmıştır. Malzeme azaltma, biyo-plastikler gibi yenilikçi yeni malzemeler ve geri dönüşümdeki iyileştirmeler gibi devam eden araştırmalar ve teknolojik gelişmeler, sürdürülebilir ambalajın kabulünü artırmaya katkıda bulunacaktır. Sürdürülebilir ambalajın tanımları, gereklilikleri, sınırlamaları, mevzuatları ve uygulamaları tartışılmaktadır. Sürdürülebilir ambalaj, ekonomik büyümeyi teşvik edebilir ve şirketlere yeni fırsatlar sunabilir, en azından çevreye yardımcı olarak ve karbon ayak izini azaltarak. Ancak, sürdürülebilir ambalajın maliyeti küçük işletmeler için hala bir zorluk olabilir. Tüketicilerin sürdürülebilir ambalaj için daha fazla ödeme yapmaya istekli olup olmadıklarını belirlemek de bu geçişte önemlidir.

Keywords

Sürdürülebilirlik, Sürdürülebilir ambalaj, Çevre dostu malzemeler, Biyopolimer, Az atık

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