Focusing all our attention on this 2% of just one element of a complex puzzle seems irrational, but this is exactly what often happens. It’s easy to fall into the greenwashing trap of environmentally friendly packaging. With heavy marketing that uses the façade of recyclable, compostable, or plastic-free packaging materials, our attention is drawn away from the product itself. Blinded by eco-positive claims about the surface, we stop asking the most important questions about what’s beneath it, such as, “Is the product itself sustainable?” or “Does the company produce according to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?”

Let’s assume there’s even a valid certificate number. So, we pick up this wonder of sustainability and think, "Wow, this is great, even better than necessary..." STOP. Let’s pause and rethink. We have a mango with its thick protective skin, delivered in sturdy cardboard boxes that further protect it during transportation. And then, we have this thin, fancy paper wrapping which... does what exactly?

Yep, out of respect for our reader’s intelligence, we won't drag this out. Let’s just say that maybe Mother Nature made that mango skin thick so we could save some trees, water, energy, and cut a bit of CO2 emissions by not producing that thin, compostable-certified, and completely unnecessary paper wrapping.

Freeze-dried food is highly hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air if exposed. When this happens, we start losing all its benefits. Flavor and structure deteriorate, nutrients degrade, and microbial growth rapidly shortens shelf life. We end up losing food and wasting all the resources used to produce it: soil, water, energy, and human time and effort.

In our lab, we always have a bunch of freeze-dried fruits packed in the latest laminates that we are constantly testing. Unfortunately, current recyclable mono-materials or petroleum-free compostable laminates do not cut it. Their moisture barrier is either too weak to begin with or lacks long-term stability.

To sum up, in the case of our products, using currently available compostable or recyclable packaging would have a far greater negative environmental impact than using a non-recyclable, petroleum-based laminate that is just 0.12 millimeters thin but keeps our food safe and sound for years.

Because we are neither brain dead nor doing this for marketing, we won’t use any 'green' certified packaging unless it actually helps to make the products you purchase more sustainable, not less.

If the packaging of a food product is compostable or recyclable, that’s great. However, keep in mind that packaging is just a small percentage of the total environmental impact. Look beyond the packaging itself and don't let it cloud your overall judgment.

Sustainable packaging does not necessarily equate to a sustainable product. Some products require protection that compostable solutions cannot provide, and insisting on such packaging might result in negative outcomes. Conversely, some products can benefit from compostable or even edible packaging, which can enhance their sustainability. And for some products, packaging might not be necessary at all.