_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Convenience
as serving dishes . This provides a quick and attractive packaging solution that minimizes effort from preparation to serving and consumption with easy clean-up .
As the Protect , Promote , Preserve whitepaper explains , choosing the right packaging is a decision to which brands will often dedicate considerable time . Many companies within the food industry have therefore opted to enclose their products in metal cans , a type of packaging offering superior levels of robustness and durability relative to alternatives on the market .
Metal packaging can Protect contents from external elements , such as UV light and moisture , Promote the brand ’ s differentiation and consumer messaging and Preserve natural resources of food . Experts note that the gold standard of sustainability for packaging is its recyclability . Metal packaging offers superior circularity compared to plastic and multilayer substrates , which cannot be infinitely recycled . The complexity of substrates not made of a singular material also makes the recycling process challenging .
Additionally , brands recognize that metal packaging can be an effective brand tool . With advanced graphics and prominent colours , they can use the entire surface area of cans and bottles without sacrificing functionality or recyclability . Metal printing is safe for food products , meeting strict food safety regulations due to the impermeability of metal and the use of compliant inks .
The future is bright
In recent times , customers have become increasingly environmentally conscious and tend to make purchasing decisions based on their eco-friendly preferences . The Buying Green Report 2023 shows that up to 63 percent of consumers hesitate to buy products with packaging that is harmful to the environment , and around three-quarters of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging . Additionally , a new finding in the same report showed that on average , 35 percent of respondents perceive food and beverage products to be in sustainable packaging today , while 82 percent expect to purchase more sustainable products in the future .
Choosing sustainable materials is not only the right thing to do , but it will also soon be required by law in many countries . For example , the United Nations created a treaty to regulate plastic use globally , and the EU plans to pass new rules by 2030 that will require packaging materials to be easier to recycle . Similarly , the UK will ban many single-use plastics by October 2023 .
Given consumers ’ increasing reliance on convenience foods , there is potential for this sector to make a significant contribution to packaging circularity by embracing a sustainable alternative . Metal ’ s true circularity gives it a unique role in helping to protect the planet for generations to come . There is a real opportunity here to not only tackle the waste issue head-on but showcase new innovative ways of thinking when it comes to packaging – setting a standard that other sectors can replicate . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Ajeeth Enjeti www . TriviumPackaging . com
Ajeeth Enjeti is General Manager EU Food at Trivium Packaging . Trivium Packaging is a global leader in sustainable metal packaging known for creating innovative and unique infinitely recyclable , reusable and refillable solutions for some of the world ’ s most well-known brands . Trivium has more than 60 locations worldwide and employs close to 7500 people with sales of $ 3.3bn .
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