Why do we still use plastic?

On a daily basis we use numerous products that contain plastic. Plastic is in your phone, around your television and your rainwear is made of it. In addition, plastic is used for food storage. But why is this and what is the exact function of plastic in food?

Plastic packaging protects foodstuffs from spoilage and can thus extend the shelf life of the product ¹ . Because the foodstuffs can then be stored for longer, food waste is tackled immediately. This has an even greater impact on the environment than plastic packaging, because crops must be grown, transported, processed and transported again ² . Keeping food waste as low as possible is therefore the highest priority in terms of sustainability.

The use of a 'single use plastic' packaging therefore clearly has its reasons. Unfortunately, there is currently no more sustainable alternative that is sufficiently food safe ¹ . Our packaging is airtight, which (as described above) significantly delays the spoilage process. In addition, the packaging is light in weight, making it easier to transport for both the producer and the consumer. As a result, more products can be transported and this in turn saves CO 2 ¹ _emissions . This packaging is also more recyclable. In short, enough reasons to choose this packaging for the time being!

We also think it is important to prevent waste as much as possible. That is why we have a few tips to ensure that as little as possible ends up on that mountain of waste:

Try to use reusable substitutes as much as possible ³ . Think, for example, of a reusable water bottle, lunch box and a fabric shopping bag. Have you spotted Grünten's linen bag in the webshop yet? For only € 7.50 you save hundreds of plastic bags per year with the linen bag and you also look hip!

By purchasing smartly, setting the fridge temperature to 4 degrees and cleverly organizing your fridge, you can quickly prevent food waste ³ . This is because food spoils less quickly and bacteria hardly grow ³ . Has a product expired? Look, smell and taste carefully and then determine whether you can still eat the product ³ . Did you know that Grünten is also against food waste and that we use rescued bananas to make the Banana Pecan Veggie Oats?

There is still a lot to be gained in the field of food safety when it comes to more sustainable packaging. Should this safe, more sustainable variant turn up, it has our vote!

Sources :

1. Roland ten Klooster, packaging designer and professor of Packaging Design and Management at the University of Twente, explains why we use plastic packaging and what the alternatives are . (2021, March 15). National Geographic.
2. Nutrition Center. (nd-i). Packaging materials .
3. Nutrition Center. (nd-a). 7 tips to avoid food waste .