Sustainable to-go packaging: A future-proof solution for restaurants and catering businesses
Takeaway has become indispensable today. Guests expect food and drinks to go, and at the same time, catering businesses need to achieve their sustainability goals. Canteens, catering and system catering are faced with the challenge of making the out-of-home business more environmentally friendly – without adding complexity to existing processes.
In this article, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable to-go packaging such as organic disposable packaging and present reusable packaging as a sustainable alternative.
The ‘sustainable’ to-go packaging organic single-use put to the test
Single-use organic packaging is made from materials that are either bio-based or biodegradable. But are they really environmentally friendly?
Bio-based synthetic materials
Bio-based synthetic materials are made from renewable materials. Examples of this are
- corn
- wood
- sugar cane
The use of these materials replaces fossil raw materials, which reduces the CO2 footprint. But be careful: many bio-based plastics are not biodegradable and have to be disposed of like conventional plastics. This means that this packaging is only suitable as truly sustainable to-go packaging to a limited extent.
Biodegradable synthetic materials
All synthetic materials that decompose in the environment, usually to CO₂ and water, are biodegradable. However, this does not necessarily mean that such plastics are also made from sustainable materials. Some biodegradable plastics, such as PCL, for example, are based on fossil fuels. So what is actually hidden behind single-use bio-plastics and how the packaging should be handled can vary greatly.
Biodegradable plastics sound promising, but they often require specialised industrial composting facilities. In practice, this means that such packaging usually does not degrade as planned and ends up in waste incineration plants. This raises the question of whether single-use bioplastics are a future-proof solution.
Different types of organic disposable tableware
The following types of organic disposable tableware are frequently used as sustainable to-go packaging in the catering industry:
- Paper/cardboard: Lightweight, but often coated with plastic and therefore difficult to recycle.
- Bagasse: Resistant to heat and cold, water and grease and compostable.
- Palm leaf: Stable and water-repellent, but plastic is usually used for the closure.
Advantages and disadvantages of sustainable to-go packaging made from single-use organic materials
+ Disposable packaging made from renewable raw resources are lightweight and stackable, making them practical to handle in system catering, even in large quantities.
+ Furthermore, no additional work steps are necessary for hygiene – the sustainable to-go packaging can simply be handed out.
When it comes to the environmental friendliness of this sustainable to-go packaging, things get a little more difficult.
-As already mentioned above, organic disposable tableware often consists of material composites that can hardly be separated. Even pure bio-based plastics often cannot be recycled in sorting plants because their chemical structure differs from that of conventional plastics. This means that most single-use organic packaging shares the same fate: it is simply incinerated.
– Even compostable packaging made from bagasse often fails to fulfil its purpose in the reality of the canteen environment: as guests have no compost available after eating, the trays overflow into the residual waste bins.
– Although bioplastics actually release less CO2 during production than fossil-based materials, the greater amount of land required to grow the raw materials cancels out this advantage.
Would you like to replace your organic disposable packaging with sustainable to-go packaging? Book a consultation today.
Reusable packaging: the sustainable alternative for to-go packaging
The solution is offered by reusable systems in which caterers serve food to guests in robustly manufactured trays. This sustainable to-go packaging can be used and cleaned several times, reducing waste and conserving resources. Customers either pay a deposit or – as in the case of Relevo – simply organise the lending and return deposit free via an app, making the process even simpler and more sustainable.
Deposit systems for sustainable to-go packaging
In some reusable systems, a deposit is charged which is refunded when the packaging is returned. This model motivates customers to return packaging, but involves an administrative burden.
Deposit-free systems
Relevo’s deposit-free reusable system simplifies the return process by not charging a deposit. Customers borrow the tableware using a QR code and simply return it after use. This makes the entire process simpler and more efficient – ideal for the introduction and use of sustainable to-go packaging.
Relevo offers a variety of reusable containers that are dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and robust. These containers are perfect for to-go catering. Find out more about our reusable system and reusable tableware here.
Advantages of sustainable reusable to-go packaging
- Reusable packaging significantly reduces disposable waste.
- Long-term cost savings
- Deposit-free systems such as Relevo are particularly convenient and easy to use.
- Better customer loyalty: guests return to return the trays and often buy something new.
- After just a few uses, Relevo reusable packaging made of glass or SAN plastic has a better eco-balance than disposable organic products.
Relevo takes care of stock control and the organisation of lending and returns, so that the reusable solution can be easily integrated into existing processes.
Reusable as a future-proof solution for sustainable to-go packaging
Sustainable to-go packaging plays a key role in the catering industry of tomorrow. While organic disposable packaging is a short-term improvement over conventional plastic packaging, reusable packaging such as that from Relevo offers a more sustainable alternative in the long term. They not only reduce waste, but also enable cost savings and better customer loyalty.
The future clearly lies in reusable solutions – they are more environmentally friendly, more efficient and easier to handle. With a reusable system like Relevo’s, you can make your business fit for the future and make an important contribution to sustainability.
Ready to switch to sustainable to-go packaging?
Let’s work together to find the right solution for your business. Book a free consultation today and find out how you can reduce waste, save costs and delight your customers with Relevo!