Food packaging instantly makes your brand recognizable. Imagine a coffee cup with a green and white design of a woman on it. And if you're a coffee connoisseur, you know that this logo is from Starbucks.
While you'll want to add your logo and branding to your food packaging design, consumers also care about the materials you use. Sustainability is in style, and it's not uncommon for people to make a statement with their money.
Trends come and go, but the most popular materials for food packaging solutions have been popular for decades and are good options for restaurants of all sizes.
5 Types of Sustainable Food Packaging Materials
Food packaging boxes and containers are more than just about keeping your food contained. The materials that you choose will also:
- Represent your brand with custom branding.
- Meet consumer needs, such as offering resealable containers.
- Increase your marketing efforts while meeting your sustainability goals.
With these points in mind, the following materials allow your restaurant to offer sustainable food packaging that is good for the environment and appeals to consumers, too.
1. Bioplastics
Biodegradable food packaging is a common option because it offers a viable alternative to traditional plastic materials. Annual growth in bioplastics continues to rise by 0.56% year over year, meaning more eateries are using these materials.
Depending on the material chosen, bioplastics can also be compostable and biodegradable, which is a sharp contrast when compared to traditional plastics.
However, opting for bioplastics that are derived from cornstarch or sugarcane is better than other materials because these are among the best options for bioplastic containers and packaging. The downside? Costs can be slightly higher than other options.
2. Paper
Paper is an eco-friendly packaging option that happens to be one of the oldest forms of packaging available. From cardboard boxes to paper cups, this material offers a versatile, cost-effective option for takeout boxes and cups.
However, depending on the type of food you serve, paper products may or may not work for your restaurant.
If the food has cream in it or liquids, it can degrade the durability of your packaging. Moisture can cause boxes to break down under heavy loads, which leads to a poor customer experience.
3. Edible
A popular choice among consumers is edible packaging. You can't use this type of material for your pizzeria or a burger joint, but it does fit into other types of restaurants. Edible cups, for example, are made from rice paper, wheat, whole grain flour or starch-based materials, and some cutting-edge coffee shops serve their coffee in them.
Desserts are a perfect option for edible cups and will be a natural fit in any artisanal restaurant.
Naturally, edible packaging and containers have a limited shelf-life, and you'll need to explore the advantages and disadvantages for the type of food you serve. If edible packaging is not ideal for your food, one of the other materials on this list will be.
4. Metal
Aluminum and tin are two metal-based options that are perfect for food that has more moisture. It's not uncommon to walk out of a restaurant with an aluminum container with a cardboard top because the metal can withstand moisture far better than paper packaging on its own.
Metal is also a good option for keeping food airtight to preserve freshness and also maintain temperature while in transport.
And on top of all of these benefits, metal is also known for being:
- Recyclable
- Strong and durable
- Slightly more expensive
5. Glass
Liquids, sauces and preserves work best when stored in glass packaging. In terms of freshness and safety, glass is the leader in packaging, and it is also 100% recyclable. But glass is also more expensive and heavier, which can increase shipping costs if you allow consumers to buy your products online.
Glass is also fragile and more susceptible to breakage shipping. For this reason, many restaurants prefer to use plastics for food packaging.
Which material is best for your restaurant? It all depends on your unique food offerings, budget and consumer preferences.
3 Top Trends in Food Packaging Supplies
Changing packaging is hard for many eateries that have been using the same suppliers for years. If your packaging "works," you may be wondering why you should change things. A few of the trends below are worth considering:
1. Brands are Moving Toward Sustainability
Statistics show that 82% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. Brands are finding it easier to charge slightly more to cover related costs, and the materials you choose can help you move toward your sustainability goals.
Consumers are concerned about the environment, and investing in sustainable packaging is one way that companies are catering to consumers while meeting internal goals.
2. Packaging Requirements Still Remain in 2025
Legislation varies from state to state, but there are some locations where Extended Product Responsibility laws remain in 2025. California is a top example where it may soon be illegal to offer single-use bags or containers made with PFAs.
If your eatery ships foods to other states or countries, it may be even more important to meet strict packaging requirements.
We expect more global brands to focus on packaging materials and containers in the coming years to meet laws in specific states and in other countries.
3. Packaging Technology Will Continue to Rise
QR codes are a common way to add technology to packaging, and we fully expect the trend to become even more popular this year. Simple codes make it easy to connect with consumers so that they can track company:
- Information
- Promotions
But smart packaging is also being developed that may offer neat insights into the food being stored, such as the freshness of the food and internal temperatures.
Food packaging should be a top consideration for restaurants across the world in 2025. You can make a conscious effort to help the environment and offer sustainable packaging options to consumers. In some circumstances, you may even need to adopt new materials to meet compliance requirements in your state.
Consider the material your restaurant uses carefully and test out multiple options to find which one(s) work best for your eatery's goals and needs.