Eco-friendly food packaging

Guest post by Bella Roy from Pedigree

Did you know that consumer packaging is a top culprit of street littering and causes the most amount of waste in landfills?

Eco-friendly packaging is known to others as sustainable packaging, green packaging or environmentally-friendly packaging. It is the use of earth-friendly materials to package a product. A company that uses eco-friendly packaging materials can communicate its values on environment conservation to its customers and use this to leverage its brand image and reputation. 

Environmentally friendly packaging is a form of packaging, usually made of recycled or renewable materials. This is safe and sustainable for both the individual and the environment. The main features of sustainable packaging are that they produce little to no environmental waste, are safe for people and the environment, and are made of reusable or biodegradable materials.

PET Plastic

This type of packaging uses plastic materials that are safe, non-toxic, strong, flexible, and recyclable. It is one of the most popular transparent packaging materials often preferred over glass packaging due to the safety it provides. It is very light, comes in different shapes, sizes, and designs, and available in different colours. Another advantage of using PET plastic packaging is that it offers an excellent barrier; hence, the integrity of a product is maintained. 

Glass 

Glass is a trusted eco-friendly material. A consumer may choose glass over others due to its ability to preserve a product's taste and integrity. Its main advantage is the fact that it can be used over and over without losing its quality or purity. Glass is moisture-proof and heat-resistant. It is a good material for the long-term preservation of food and is can be transparent which is an important feature for food packaging. The commonly used glass containers in food packaging are bottles with narrow necks and jars or pots that have wide openings. Glass is widely recycled and is considered a sustainable material. The downside is that it can break or damage and is bulky and heavy to transport.

Metal

Metal packaging is usually made from Stainless steel, Aluminum, or Tinplate. The properties of food-safe metal make the packaging are that it is heat resistant, durable, and is often widely recycled. This type of packaging has been used since the 1990s primarily in the packaging of carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. 80% of all metal bottles ever produced are still in use to date. Metal packaging can be recycled to infinity making it the most eco-friendly packaging method, however, it requires regular integrity testing to ensure everything is safely contained and secure.

Kraft Paper

These types of eco-friendly food packaging are used internationally in the industry. Also known as butcher paper or brown paper, it derives its name from the German word Kraft - which means resistance, strength, and effectiveness. Kraft paper is made of wood pulp. It's coarse and brown in colour. Since the materials used to make these bags are mostly plant-based, they are very friendly to the environment. They are also recyclable and compostable.

Cardboard and Paper

Cardboard and Paper are organic and environmentally friendly materials. It is lightweight, has a low cost compared to metal and glass, and is widely recyclable and compostable. However, when cardboard packaging comes in contact with moisture and humidity, its barrier integrity will be compromised, making it easier to tear or damage. The downside of recycled paper and cardboard is that they contain harmful mineral oils and other substances that may contaminate the food beyond the safe-for-consumption level. 

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a plant-based, tree-free renewable material made from sugarcane plant waste left over after sugar extraction. This fibrous paste-like material makes durable containers that are attractive to environmentally conscious consumers and require much less energy to produce than plastic products. It is suitable for cold and hot applications, sturdy, durable, can handle greasy food, and 100% biodegradable/compostable, It is also microwave and refrigerator safe and does not contain any toxic dyes, even in the unbleached design. 

Cornstarch

The materials used to make these types of eco-friendly food packaging are derived from corn and maize plants. This means they are biodegradable, which is critical when it comes to environmental conservation. it is imperative that the packaging is disposed of properly to ensure it does not take too long to decompose. When properly disposed of, the materials will break down into carbon dioxide and water, which cause no harm to the environment. The materials are cheap, sustainable, and easy to produce, hence, they are ideal for companies with a wide variety of foods to package. 

Eco-Friendly Packaging can be a great move for your business!

With more and more companies looking for ways to reduce their ecological footprint, switching to eco-friendly packaging makes sense. Most businesses are looking to go green with their packaging and doing so does more than just help the environment. It can also help the business save money while making your company more appealing to customers. 

Consumers take a lot of factors into consideration when choosing which companies to support. They are increasingly seeking companies that do their part to reduce their negative impact on the environment. A large % of customers feel better about purchasing products with packaging that is made from recycled materials, for instance. By committing to using eco-friendly packaging in your business, a company can improve its brand image and appeal to more customers. 

How to enjoy a sustainable Easter at home

The pandemic has been with us for over a year now, and as much as we can, we are learning to live with it and try to keep going on with our lives.

Even though we cannot celebrate with all family members, we need to find ways to enjoy and celebrate Easter at home. Let's not let Covid ruin our Easter fun. Here are 5 simple yet enjoyable ideas.

1. Prepare delicious vegan chocolate eggs

I found a great recipe for easy and delicious gluten free dark chocolate eggs from here, or you can always find your own favourite recipe online. Make sure you have a silicone mold to make your eggs in perfect shape! There are tons of yummy fillings to choose from and a limitless way to decorate them. Be creative and have fun with these!

2. The famous Easter-egg hunt

Once you finish making your eggs, wrap them in recycled paper and hide them around the house. If you don't have time or you just can't get yourself to make your own chocolate eggs, purchase them from a local brand. Or, if you are not so keen on all the chocolate your kids will be eating, turn your egg hunt into an organic one! Use pine cones, instead, or create eggs with papier mache, or use fabric, wood, or any other sustainable material.

3. Make beautiful and colourful Easter crafts

Let your imagination run wild or get some inspiration from the internet. There are loads of video tutorials for fun and easy Easter crafts. My personal favourite is this one. Make sure you buy the minimum possible of materials and try to re-use what you find in the house.... toilet paper rolls, food packaging, old paper cups, recycled paper, carton from boxes, re-used ribbons, and so and so forth.

4. Create your own basket 

Planning on giving out some gifts for Easter? Why not make your own unique basket too? You will love this post showing you different ways for creating up-cycled Easter baskets. Whether it is an old milk carton, a handful of plastic bags, recycled newspaper, fabric scraps, or even an old sweater, you can make this a cool and sustainable Easter activity to do with the family. 

5. Edu-tainment screentime

A healthy mix between education and entertainment - that is ideally what children (and adults) should get during screen time. Everybody loves cozying it on the sofa while watching a good movie. Here are some inspirational movies to watch with the family during Easter time. 

Happy Easter from us!

Creating positive changes at Christmas time

If there was ever a time that could push us towards positive change, then this is definitely it! This year we all had our share of fear and faith, reflection and prudence. Besides the chaos and the inconveniences, we have re-discovered extraordinary benefits of slowing down the pace of our lives. Covid taught us many valuable lessons, the most important of which is a necessity to live on a healthy planet and maintain a healthy eco-system. Climate change is real. Biodiversity loss is real. Air and sea pollution are real. All these contribute to unsustainability. As citizens of planet Earth, we are all responsible, and we must therefore become accountable for our own actions and habits. Christmas and New Year are traditionaly the most ideal times to bring about change, and our next big lesson to learn is how to live sustainably.

What is sustainability?

To be sustainable, means to be able to maintain a balanced level of give and take. Right now, the planet is in an unsustainable state, for we are taking more than we are giving back - and we are taking quicker than the planet can regenerate by itself. One of the principal problems of unsustainability is consumption. Since the industrial revolution and the invention of plastic a hundred or so years ago, we have been consuming carelessly, impulsively, and negligently. We buy without thinking and we buy things we don't need, and in particular during Christmas time, we are relenetlessly driven into an over-consumption race with the excuse of gifting and celebrating.

Becoming a conscious consumer means that you put thought and care before purchasing anything. Asking yourself questions such as: Where was this made? How did it arrive here? Who made it? Who or what suffered so that this prouct could be created? Celebrating a 'Green' Crhsitams is possible when you choose eco-sustainable products. It means that the products were sourced, manufactured, produced, packaged and transported with respect to the environment. An eco-friendly product is a product that was made with sustainability as a priority guideline.

What is good for the planet is also good for the people

This is a pleasant consequence that not everybody knows about. Eco-sustainable products are not only good for the environment, but also good for people. For instance, sustainable food and beverage products would not contain any dangerous chemicals or pesticides; and Eco-friendly body products would not contain anyd harmful substances. Therefore, if you care about what you put in and on your body, and want to live a healthy lifestyle, choosing sustainable products is the way forward.

Choosing eco-sustainable options

So, let's end this strange and mysterious year on a good note! Let us start taking responsibility for our actions and choose ethical and sustainable gifts for our loved ones taking inspiration from Malta's Top Eco-friendly Gift Ideas, a list created by Eco Market Malta. The list contains a beautiful collection of gift ideas from local green startups, artisans and SMEs. Shopping local is a huge factor for sustainability as it reduces the product's carbon footprint. Choosing to buy products from this list will also eliminate the risk of buying something that only pretends to be eco-friendly as our sellers are well curated.

Malta's Top Eco-friendly Gift Ideas features 30 perfect gifts for your friends and family members. For instance, the Zero Waste Starter Kit is an elegant box ready to be gifted to someone who wants to reduce the use of plastic; while the Eco Gardener Kit is your ideal gift for your green-finger friend.

There are also several gift options for sustainable home appliances, jewellery, clothing, beauty, decor, wellness, children's toys, gifts for the new mum, and unique original ideas such as 'adopt a dolphin'. 

Be the change you want to see

Whether you are buying for an eco-conscious person, or someone who is not yet environmentally-aware, this list offers quality and well-priced gift ideas for everyone. As consumers we can make a conscious choice to bring positive change in our lives, and since actions speak louder than words, your eco gift will also be a message inviting others to make their own positive impact. It is no secret that a meaningful and thoughtful gift is more appreciated than any high-priced item money can buy. This year, let's choose to shop sustainably and responsibly, avoid waste, be kind to the planet and enjoy a simple and 'green' Christmas.

Let's connect back to nature!

Welcome back to our Eco friendly Malta Blog! 

Today we are grateful for so many things! We all have been an unusual experience and lived a situation that we could have never imagined. It was a dark time where the outside world was forbidden to us and almost all of us were practically locked in our homes. For many, this has been a warning sign for us to take action and mend our broken relationship with nature. An environment that has always surrounded us, but we used to take so much for granted.

We are now all eager to make up for up for this lost time and Eco Market Malta are very happy to announce a new series of events right in the heart of nature. Read till the end for more details.

Connecting with nature can help us feel happier and more energised, with an increased sense of meaning and purpose. A little fresh air, the sun on our skin and bare feet on the ground can bring so many small pleasures, making us feel refreshed and revived. Why does nature have such a positive effect? Did you know that simply being exposed to nature’s wonders stimulates the brain? Your prefrontal cortex which is responsible for your mind’s commands, can take a bit of a rest and revitalize. Connecting back to nature has lots of benefits, some of which you might find surprising!

 

1. Improves Short Term Memory

Who would have thought that a little time with the flowers and trees can actually improve your memory? The University of Michigan conducted a study that revealed students who regularly went for a nature walk actually had a better time retaining information.

2. Reduces Stress

Nature has a calming effect on our brains. As an added bonus, outdoor exercise, like going for a walk, hiking, and so forth, gets the blood flowing and heart pumping, another way to lower stress levels.

 

3. Increases Levels of Vitamin D

Sure, too much sun can damage the skin and possibly lead to cancer. That being said, studies show that getting between 15 to 20 minutes a day of sunshine will allow your body to absorb vitamin D, which helps strengthen bones and reduce the risk of cancer, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

 

4. Improves Sleep

Spending time in natural light helps our bodies better regulate sleep patterns. When the sun goes down, our brains will release the right levels of melatonin to help get a good night’s sleep.

 

5. Strengthens the Immune System

Research has shown that going outdoors and getting enough sunlight can help boost the immune system. to help fight disease and stay healthy all you need is to take a little stroll outside or enjoy a bit of fun outdoors

 

6. Increases Happiness

In a world full of screens, we often search for happiness in the wrong places. Nature will boost your mood and promotes your mental well-being.

 

7. Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation in the body can lead to all sorts of disorders, from depression and cancer to autoimmune diseases. A study demonstrated that participants who spent a bit of time each week walking in the woods experienced lower levels of inflammation in the body.  

 

8. Improves Vision

Going outside gives our eyes a break from staring at a computer, television, tablet or smartphone. Australian scientists even found that children who spend time outdoors reduce the risk of developing myopia later in life.

 

9. Inspires Creativity

Nature comes in so many colours, from orange-sky sunsets to seafoam green waters and rose-coloured gardens. Spending time outside gives a chance to get inspired by all the gorgeous sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoors. Science backs that up, too, showing that spending time outside actually helps get our creative juices flowing.

 

10. Develops a Deeper Sense of Spirituality

When you connect back to nature, you give your mind the chance to clear the cobwebs and can even count as a type of meditation. Spending time in nature helps us live in the moment as we breathe in the air, listen to the sound of the birds chirping, or feel the grass on our feet. Nature can even teach valuable lessons and reveal metaphors to help us connect with our spirituality.

So here is the exciting news! Eco Market is teaming up with Green Living Malta and together we are introducing ‘Summer Nights in Nature’. Every Saturday, from 11 July until 26 Septemer we will be hosting these exquisite events to help you connect back with nature in one of the most outstanding natural venues in Malta, the beautiful and bountiful Vincent's Eco Estate in Mgarr.

The aim is to not only to connect people back to nature and promote all the benefits that we've just mentioned, but also to connect you with a mindful community of like-minded people. Both Eco Market and Green Living are advocates of sustainable living and the people and activities that will be presented, will focus on shaping a more sustainable, greener future.  

Expect to find ongoing activities for children of all ages, to help them keep busy, entertained and educated. Children learn their relationship with nature by playing with nature, the ground, the leaves, the pine cones and other safe organic matter, everything completely in line with covid-19 guidelines. The events will be complimented with sunset DJ tunes, a variety of enjoyable workshops for adults, vegan and plant-bs food, wines, beers and of course a charming selection of Eco Market stalls.

The Olive Grove at the Vortex, Vincent's Eco Estate, Mgarr

These events will kick off on Saturday 11th July with a jamming session hosted by no other than Peter Paul, frontman of Tribali! Peter Paul will be heading his popular drum workshop during this event where everybody is welcome to bring their own drum and join in to create a positive vibration through rhythm. We will also welcome Nadia Cassar, our resident gardener with her famous workshop 'How to grow your own food at home', as well as DJ Armani who will be doing a special set with his son.  

Follow the event on Facebook for more information about activities and relative prices. 

The Olive Grove at the Vortex, Vincent's Eco Estate, Mgarr

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Vendor Feature Series #10

Warning: There is a strong possibility that today's feature will get you craving something sweet! Don't worry, you can go for it! Its all about guilt-free pleasures.... We will be featuring the ultimate Eco-friendly product in Malta within the food industry. Vegan, healthy, raw and guilt free food in Malta who absolutely cannot be missing from our Eco Friendly Malta Blog!

Jo’s Delights are dedicated to bring you the magic of raw vegan food in the form of delicious desserts packed with valuable nutrients. All their products are made with genuine, natural ingredients, without the use of preservatives, fillers, stabilizers, refined sugars, artificial colouring and all the junk found in mainstream foods. The preparation area is free from gluten and HACCP compliant.

Jo’s packaging is 100% compostable, deliveries are pooled in order to reduce carbon footprint. Our kitchen is powered by a PV panel system and our water cistern collects rain water for sanitary and cleaning purposes. The detergents in use are eco-friendly and not harmful to marine life.

At this time of year, local traditional Easter related sweets are most popular. Kwarezimal are traditionally a lent dessert, flavoured with Natural Blossom Water Extract. Raw Cross Buns are a raw version of the British classic Hot Cross Buns. Figolli are very popular closer to Easter. Compared to the traditional version, our figolli have a pastry made of nuts and dried fruit, a 100% pure almond filling, a raw cacao topping and to finish off, a cashew icing coloured with superfoods.

We produce an array of delightful Cakes, Treats, Bars and fermented Tree-Nut CheeZes. Also the recently launched Cupcake Collection. Deliveries are free for orders of 10eur and above.

Follow Jo's Delights on their website or Facebook Page, Instagram or by email info@josdelights.com