The Hidden Environmental Costs of Meal Kits

While meal kits have gained popularity for their convenience, the environmental impact of this trend remains a subject of ongoing research and scrutiny.

How meal kits fare in 3 key areas of environmental impact:

1. Packaging

• Meal kits may consist of numerous types of packaging, with a significant portion being non-recyclable plastic.

• Ice packs used in meal kits are often non-recyclable and cannot be reused.

• Some companies are adopting sustainable practices, utilizing fully recyclable or compostable packaging.

2. Food waste

• Meal kits significantly minimize individual meal waste, contributing to reduced overall waste generation.

• The broader environmental impact beyond food waste reduction is relatively minimal but still holds potential for addressing extensive food waste issues.

3. Transportation

• Lower last-mile transportation emissions in meal kit delivery services may offset observed increases in packaging.

• Meal kits exhibit a smaller emissions footprint compared to grocery store meals.

When it comes to hidden environmental costs, they have mostly to do with packaging and less to do with food waste. Unfortunately, those go hand in hand when it comes to teaching people how to properly portion food. 

5 Strategies for Environmentally Friendly Eating Beyond Meal Kits:

1. Eat more plants as it’s better for the environment

2. Stay organized by meal planning, utilizing your freezer, or even hiring a personal chef

3. Cut back on meat, especially beef which impacts the environment with its production

4. Buy good quality animal products raised using better environmental practices

5. Eat locally and seasonally to cut down on transport emissions

Looking to remove unnecessary packaging altogether? Consider getting matched with a personal chef or doing your own meal planning to cut back on waste.