Page 21 - FoodFocusThailand No.179 February 2021

SPECIAL FOCUS

innovations in packaging can now indicate production of environmentally friendly bioplastic packaging e.g., packaging from bagasse
product quality using ripeness indicators, with and cassava. Furthermore, Thailand possesses the know-how and technology on bioplastic
labels indicating the fermentation levels by packaging development that can be scaled-up to the industry level. This will attract a huge
oxygen sensors in the package. These are income to the country, achieve the eco-sustainability goal, and add more value to our
value creation tools for high-value products. biological resources.
Apart from the technology, structural and Therefore, food packaging plays a vital role in supporting Thailand’s BCG policy and
graphical designs as unique, luxury or maintaining food quality during transportation and storage. Packaging also creates value
distinctive image also add value to the for the food product. Design and application of packaging technology in the food industry
product. according to the BCG model should focus on suitability for post-use handling. Moreover,
reduce, reuse, recycle, and using renewable or biodegradable materials will create
Circular Economy and Packaging sustainability and environmental friendliness. Packaging design must be considered
Efficient use of resources for optimal benefits holistically in terms of product protection and post-use packaging capabilities to maximize
and reducing waste, in particular Zero Waste, sustainability in the food industry.
lie at the heart of a circular economy.
Research shows that packaging is the
No. 1 source of global waste. Nowadays,
packaging designs focus on decreasing
waste by following the three maxims reduce,
reuse, and recycle. Thus, biodegradable food
packaging plays a huge role in supporting a
circular economy.
Reducing the thickness of packaging
materials helps food manufacturers to reduce
waste and packaging costs. However,
reducing the thickness may also reduce
packaging strength and food protection
properties. In most cases, other packaging
technologies are used to compensate for the
reduced thickness. For example, adding
nitrogen to plastic bottles containing
beverages creates pressure inside the bottle,
increasing packaging strength, while the use
of filler particles in adhesives or multi-layered
packaging structures increases barrier
performance.
Handling of post-consumer packaging
for maximum utilization through recycling is
now attracting increased focus. Packaging
materials must be separated before recycling.
Today’s packaging designs should consider
post-use handling in the context of
recyclability. Using multi-layer packaging to
preserve food quality reduces the amount of
food waste but can also create recycling
problems. Design of the material structure in
multi-layer packaging requires detailed
consideration for efficient recycling.
Green Economy and Packaging
Conducting business sustainably, especially
by reducing the environmental impact, is a
guideline for improving people’s quality of life
in line with the green economy policy.
Packaging as the main source of waste has
a major impact on the environment.
Accumulation of petroleum-based packaging
causes pollution problems, and biodegradable
packaging has now become the global trend
for sustainability. Thailand is a potential
source of bio-based materials for the

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