Disposable Packaging: Small Food and Beverage Businesses

Many businesses strive for eco-friendly packaging, but when it comes to serving their customers, they aren’t exactly going to ask for used packaging back. This not only looks unsanitary, but may turn customers off from using their food services. When it comes to landfills, disposable packaging isn’t as bad as it sounds. In fact, even organic packaging that serves environmentally friendly purposes may end up in the landfill just as long as plastics.

Landfills are designed to keep out any type of moisture, light sources and optimal temperatures for the breaking down of materials. This includes organic materials. Without these three key things, all types of materials, even organic, are unable to be broken down.

Sanitation and Small Businesses

In order for a small business to thrive, it must first gain momentum in how it operates and functions. Sanitation is key when it comes to thriving in the food industry, and once a business shows that it’s not, it’ll lose customers. According to studies, disposable food packaging is actually more sanitary than glassware that is washed and reused. All types of china tested higher in bacteria than disposable food containers.

Saving on Utility Costs

For small businesses, it’s important to save money where it counts. Constantly washing dishes can send your water bill through the roof. Businesses that have industrial sized washing areas can use up to seven gallons per minute. By switching at least partly to disposable packaging, you can save thousands yearly.

If you’re still curious about plastics in landfills, only 12% of the average landfill is plastic, while the food industry creates less than 1.2% of that 12%. In fact, organic materials take up around 27% of space in landfills annually, while spending the same amount of time there as plastics.

Advantages of Incorporating Disposable Packaging

Besides plastic being more durable than glass pieces, it’s more flexible, too. This is especially important for packaging and can reduce the amount of breakage seen around the business. As for storing, there’s no need to space out plastic items, as they can’t break against each other like glass. This allows more to be stored within one area instead of planning for more space with glass.

If your small business uses transportation of products heavily, plastic is a much safer bet and saves you more money. This is due to a reduction in packaging breakage. Even though it may seem like glass is more recyclable than plastic, it’s actually not. Plastic takes less energy than glass to recycle, as it uses 10% of energy. Unfortunately, glass takes upwards of 70% to recycle because of the harsh material breakdown.

When it comes to storing food, plastic remains a top contender, as it’s a type of insulated product. This allows the food to remain the perfect temperature and prevents spoilage. Not only does this present healthier conditions for transportation and the receiving of food, but it will keep customers happier and your pockets fuller.