From plastics to plants: A journey towards sustainable food packaging

Historically, Plastics have been favoured for food packaging due to its lasting adaptability, and cost-effectiveness. Plastics are known for its ability to provide a strong barrier against moisture, gases, and light, which helps to broaden the shelf life of perishable food products. The main disadvantage of plastics is that it is non-biodegradable, leading to environmental concerns as it adds to plastic pollution which takes hundreds of years to decompose. Additionally, plastic packaging leaches harmful chemicals into foods, especially when exposed to heat or acidic substances, posing potential health risks to consumers. Moreover, the production of plastic packaging requires significant amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions an accelerating climate change. Overall, the drawbacks of plastic food packaging highlight the need for more sustainable and ecofriendly options in the food industry. Hence, green packaging made of biopolymers offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging materials, as they are derived from natural sources and can be easily broken down by microorganisms in the environment. In addition, these materials are non-toxic and safe for food contact, making them ideal for use in the food industry. Overall, the use of biopolymers in food packaging presents a positive step towards creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for the packaging industry. Biopolymers such as cellulose derivatives, chitosan, lignin, starch, PLA, PVA, and alginic acid are considered potential candidates in the packaging industry. However, some natural biopolymers such as chitosan have antifungal and antibacterial activity but poor barrier and mechanical characteristics. On the similar note, while cellulose is the most common bivalve biopolymer, it however lacks the ability to kill bacteria and therefore antimicrobial agents always have to be incorporated. These agents not only increase antimicrobial activity but also perform a reinforcing function, increasing mechanical characteristics and water vapor transmittance. In the phere of food packaging bioplastics and biopolymeric materials are meant to perform important tasks such as containment, protection of the environment, and the preservation of the purity of the food contents. Furthermore, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. By shifting towards more green packaging materials, companies in the food industry can also demonstrate their commitment to reducing their environmental impact apart from meeting customers shifting preference over eco-friendly options.