Single Use Plastic packaging : the online food and beverage industry's take on it

Abstract

According to its intrinsic features such as high durability, inertness, and shielding ability, single-use plastic (SUP) has become a burden for living beings today due to its uncontrolled use and unexpected rejection to nature[1].

Plastics used in the packaging of beverages, fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables are the most commonly cited sources of concern today. To date, single-use packaging has resulted in the creation of several billion tonnes of waste, polluting the environment. Food containers and packaging that flowed into the food-processing and foodservice sectors accounted for 15% of the inflow of containers and packaging into industries. Thus, the key to achieving the reuse/recycling target will comprise the collection of plastic food packaging from not only households but also the food industry[2]. Furthermore, the collection of flexible plastic films used between industry sectors will put the target within reach.

In the recent past, it has been discovered that micro-plastics produced by the slow degradation of SUP in seas are being eaten by marine creatures such as fish and shellfish species, causing significant disruption to marine life. There are high amounts of food packaging waste entering the environment causing pollution. Snack food packaging is one good long-term case of a visually irritating example of environmental pollution [3]. Most food packaging plastics culminate in waste streams within a short time after purchase especially for single-use packaging applications used in short-lived goods. This is a result of an increase in on-the-go consumption of food and drinks that is driving the growth of single-use plastic packaging. In some locations, the challenge of low availability of bins can lead to increased littering. A large proportion of food packaging plastics easily end up in open spaces as litter, municipal waste, landfills, and even in oceans, whilst a few can be recycled. This is as a result of the human throw away culture  which is more prevalent in developing countries

As a result, determining the best method to address plastic waste-related concerns has become a need in today's world. With this research paper, the main objective is to find waste management, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternatives to Single-Use Plastic. In the face of mounting evidence regarding the threat posed to plant growth, soil invertebrates and other land animals, (sea) birds, and marine ecosystems, there is a growing push to minimize SUPs. Regulatory tools and voluntary actions to reduce SUP usage have been put forward, with some suggestions for minimizing SUP waste.

Packaging plastics have a short lifecycle ranging from a day up to 3 years, Examples of a 1-day lifespan include disposable cups, plates, and takeaway containers which can be referred to as single-use plastics. Several strategies from the plastic ban, taxes, extended producer responsibility to recycling have been used in the management of plastic packaging waste. Given the fact that a dramatic amount of plastic packaging is still in use to date, recycling is a very important method that can contribute positively to the alleviation of plastic packaging waste pollution[4]. Collecting, sorting, and processing are the three main steps of the food packaging recycling process carried out under strict monitoring to prevent contamination.

In the research, there will be 3 proposed themes:

1. The impact of Single-use plastic packaging on the environment:

It can take thousands of years for plastic bags to decompose, thus contaminating our soil and water in the process. The noxious chemicals used to produce plastic gets transmitted to animal tissue, and finally, enter the human food chain, the WWF claims. It has a big impact on wildlife too.

1. Measures that are taken to improve the situation: Plastic stirrers were initially replaced with wood, and straws with paper, but these disintegrated when submerged in liquid. An unpleasant experience led people like Sharina Perry to develop a plant-based resin that imitates plastics and is durable, biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable.

1. The current online Food and Beverage Industry working towards reducing the usage of SUP packaging: Beyond its environmental impacts, plastic packaging plays an important role in the food system. The evolution of food packaging and particularly of plastic food packaging has played an instrumental role in the development of modern food supply systems and modern consumer expectations. Food affordability, food shelf-life, and food safety are all areas where plastic packaging currently plays a major role. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, plastic's role as a guarantor of food safety is emphasized. 

Demand for food packaging is on the rise as a result of the increasing global demand for food due to population growth. Most of the food packaging is used on the go and is single-use plastics that are disposed of within a short space of time[5]. The bulk of this plastic waste has found its way into the environment contaminating land, water, and the food chain. The food industry is encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging materials. A holistic approach to waste management will need to involve all stakeholders working to achieve a circular economy. A robust approach to prevent pollution today rather than handling waste in the future should be adopted.

In the review paper, the authors have referred to different literature sources related to single-use plastic, packaging, the impact of plastics on the environment, sustainable alternatives that are being adopted by the online food and beverage industry, and is it a saving cost or not, through a thematic analysis the authors are trying to study the literature.

 To identify whether the online food and beverage industry are ready to invest in something which helps the environment become a better place. Various significant impacts of current measures and recent innovations to replace SUP materials are also highlighted, and in light of this, a roadmap is presented for attaining the Zero Plastic Waste milestone. Literature shows that RP offers environmental advantages over SUP. However, a classification system of the RP business model is missing. This paper aims to fill this gap. Case studies of RP business models are analyzed.