The Role of Flexible Packaging in Reducing Food Waste: Organizations, Goals, Case Studies, Insights, and Opportunities for Flexible Packaging

Food waste has a significant environmental impact, equivalent to the yearly emissions from approximately 50 million gasoline-powered vehicles. This figure is only increasing, as per capita food waste in the United States is increasing at approximately 6% yearly. Preventing food waste is a primary strategy for mitigating the environmental consequences of our food system. Food production represents over a quarter of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, exerting significant environmental pressures on water, land, energy, and other resources throughout the food supply chain. From farm to fork, the food system is responsible for 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, food packaging—from the extraction of basic materials like oil to the final converting operations accounts for only 2.2% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The flexible packaging industry has the opportunity to stand out as a leader in food waste prevention with science-based flexible packaging solutions for food waste prevention.