Authors: Timothy Grant, Director of Lifecycles and Beatriz Reutter, Senior LCA Scientist, Lifecycles (owners and operators of PIQET)

More than one-third of global food production is wasted (UNEP, 2021), creating a significant environmental burden. While reducing packaging waste, especially single-use plastics, has been a focus, the environmental benefits of preventing food waste often outweigh the impact of packaging. Food waste costs the global economy $940 billion annually and leads to resource waste (land, water, energy) and GHG emissions when sent to landfills. Data shows that the environmental impact of food production is always greater than that of packaging, with the ratio for animal products as high as 145:1. Therefore, from an environmental point of view, the use of packing, when properly designed, used and disposed of, could be a powerful tool to reduce food waste.

Preventing food waste

1. Unavoidable wastes: These include inedible parts like bones and peels. To reduce their environmental impact, they can be processed into animal feed or energy via anaerobic digestion, gasification, or pyrolysis. Packaging is essential to extend the shelf life of the edible portions.
2. Food spoilage: Spoilage occurs at wholesale and consumer levels. Solutions include energy-efficient preservation, proper refrigeration, and high-tech packaging (e.g., modified atmosphere).
3. Uneaten portions: 25% of consumer-level food waste in the UK is due to over-preparation. Packaging innovations, like portion-controlled compartments, can reduce this waste.

Using LCA for optimal packagingLife Cycle Assessment (LCA) helps balance packaging and food waste impacts. PIQET is a streamlined LCA tool that calculates the environmental impacts of packaging options, enabling packaging designers to protect food while minimising environmental costs. PIQET has been used globally for over 15 years to help packaging designers achieve the best environmental outcomes. A 15-day trial is available for new customers. Signup today: here.

Figure 1: Ratio of climate change impact of products compared to package. Note that for all categories the ratio is above 0, meaning climate change impact is always higher for the products than for the packaging.

Sources:

• Commonwealth of Australia. 2022. ‘National Inventory Report 2020 Volume 2.’ In Australian National Greenhouse Accounts, 352. Canberra.
• FAO, ‘Save Food Global Food Waste and Loss Initiative’, (2023).
• United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), ‘Food Waste Index Report’. (2021).
• Sustainability Victoria, ‘Path to Half Report’, (2020).
• WRAP, 2023, Household Food And Drink Waste In The United Kingdom 2021/22

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