Sustainability vs. Convenience: The Packaging Paradox of Meal Kits
The rise of meal kit services has undeniably brought convenience to our doorsteps, offering pre-portioned recipes that reduce food waste. However, the environmental impact of excessive packaging has become a significant concern for both consumers and industry insiders. Here is what some of them have to say:
“Customers aren't always home to receive their orders immediately, so our packaging has to ensure that ingredients arrive at their freshest and stay that way for as long as possible."
Raffi Krikorian, EVP of Ready-to-Cook & Supply Chain, Goodfood
“If there is one consistent critique against this industry, it is that meal kits developed a reputation for excess packaging. Providing consumers with the exact amount of ingredients for a recipe contributes to less food waste in the home — but tough critics point to pre-portioned ingredient packaging as wasteful. In truth, as with any e-commerce company, packaging in the early days of the meal kit industry was more deserving of this criticism and far less thoughtful than it is today. New industries often have unintended consequences while they seek to disrupt the entrenched challenges of others. As an industry gains momentum and critical mass, it needs to address things that can become problematic at scale. For meal kits, packaging waste was one of those unintended consequences.”
Jeff Yorzyk, Director of Sustainability, HelloFresh US
In 2019, the Guardian reported on a study that found meal kit packaging used a huge amount of energy, with an expert weighing in to say that single-use packaging is “a killer” and that the best system would be one that somehow used reusable packaging like glass bottles. And indeed, some companies like Lark and Friendlier are pioneering reusable packaging.
However, by admitting that there’s a problem in the first place these companies are taking an important step towards reducing their environmental impact, and many meal kits now use sustainable and biodegradable packaging. If you’re trying to be environmentally friendly, it’s also important to look at the big picture. Another study reported in 2019 showed that a meal made with groceries produced 33% more greenhouse gas than one from a kit despite the excess packaging.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to be more green when it comes to the environmental cost of your meals, do what works for you and take little steps to reduce environmental impact.
Things to look for in a more sustainable meal kit
Carbon neutral deliveries
Plant-based meal kits
Organic produce
Sustainable or biodegradable packaging
Looking to eliminate all unnecessary packaging? Consider using Easy Platter’s menu builder to lower your food and packaging waste.