Biodegradable materials will be the biggest produce packaging trend during the next three years, according to a poll of produce professionals on LinkedIn.
A survey of industry professionals at the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group asked, “What is the biggest produce packaging trend for the next three years?”
With 96 votes for the four options listed, the results were:
- Biodegradable packaging (plant-based and compostable materials that break down over time) — 40%.
- Recycled content packaging (post-consumer recycled content like rPET, recycled cardboard and rPP) — 16%.
- Reduced packaging (reduced material packaging, thinner formats) — 25%.
- Reusable packaging (plastic containers and crates that can be reused) — 20%.
One produce professional reflected on the vote and commented that “all of the above need to play a part."
Because the poll format only permitted four options, some other trends that could have been listed as emerging trends were omitted from the poll. Those include smart labels to communicate freshness, active/intelligent packaging (incorporating agents into packaging that extend shelf life) and supply chain tracking through blockchain, RFID and other technology solutions.