Kontext

Plastic is the most widely used material in food packaging, as it is cheap and has many shapes and uses. However, this material does not degrade, and is therefore a serious hazard for the environment. In order to address this environmental pressure, the European Community has established guidelines for reducing disposable plastic, and consumers demand packaging that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly, particularly with natural products like fresh fruit. Almost 56% of the population buys pre-prepared products on the basis that they are easy to prepare and ready to eat. These products use packaging that plays an essential role in terms of food safety, preservation and convenience. Concern for the environment has led to increasing awareness among companies producing pre-prepared products, and a commitment to innovation and sustainability in their current packaging systems.
The solution to using plastic must therefore be broad-based, as it is not just a question of finding an alternative material, but rather of trying to reduce the amount of waste and increasing the use of recyclables. Any solution will also have to be incorporated into the production system and will therefore have to be compatible with the packaging machinery currently used, and above all, must not reduce the quality of the fruit and minimally processed products in any way, to make the product as similar as possible to products in a plastic container.