Circular Economy and the role of packaging in combating food waste

We know the important role that packaging plays in ensuring food durability and reducing waste. But is it possible to produce truly circular packaging?

By Arlene Carvalho, from the Circular Movement

When you think about food waste, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe it's that forgotten food in the fridge or expired products at the supermarket. According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 1 billion tons of food are wasted annually. Could smarter packaging help reduce this number? But what makes packaging truly effective? And how can we ensure it follows the principles of the Circular Economy to minimize waste and generate less trash?

For many, packaging is just a detail. However, it plays very important roles, such as:

• Increasing the shelf life of products; minimizing losses during transportation and storage;
• Improving the consumer experience by offering portion sizes and formats that help prevent waste;
• Reducing the need for preservatives, making products healthier;
• Providing essential information to consumers.

In summary, packaging helps preserve food for longer, reducing waste and losses, which also contributes to lowering the socio-environmental impacts of food production. In other words, it should be considered as part of the design of the food product itself. Prof. Dr. Edson Grandisoli, ambassador and educational coordinator of the Circular Movement, highlights that well-designed packaging can extend the shelf life of food, reduce losses, and optimize the use of natural resources.

“Packaging plays a very important role in our daily lives. It should be practical, reusable, or fully recyclable. All these qualities improve our experience and reduce losses, waste, and environmental impacts. Despite its importance, consumers can and should make better choices by opting for products with less packaging. This way, they also help generate less waste and become key players in the transition to circularity.”

Cryovac line packaging by Sealed Air. Image: Sealed Air.

How to create packaging that protects food without generating more waste?

According to the Drawdown Project, a nonprofit organization that analyzes climate solutions, preventing food waste is a crucial action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

But what would be the ideal packaging to help with this mission? Can we produce packaging that protects food without generating more waste and emissions? According to Caio Prado, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Leader for Latin America at Sealed Air, a Circular Movement partner, the answer is clear: it relies on technological innovation and intelligent design.

“The best packaging is the one that successfully delivers food to the final customer. If food is wasted due to a packaging issue, it only creates more waste. Innovation can transform the sector, allowing us to set increasingly ambitious goals while remaining committed to the circular economy. We do this by: designing or improving packaging solutions to be recyclable; collaborating on recycling technology and infrastructure; and incorporating recycled or renewable content into our portfolio,” he emphasizes.

Founded in 1960 and present in Brazil since 1998, Sealed Air Corporation is a leader in sustainable packaging for various industries, including food, healthcare, and logistics. Since the 1970s, the company has invested in materials that balance energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and economic viability, while also developing recyclable and reusable packaging to reduce its ecological footprint. Sealed Air aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2040 and, by 2030, plans to cut 46% of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce energy and water consumption by 28%.

One example of these solutions is protective inflatable packaging made from over 90% recycled content and fully recyclable. This includes the BUBBLE WRAP® air cushions, manufactured from polyethylene with 55% post-consumer recycled materials and 40% post-industrial recycled sources, totaling 95% recycled material. Using recycled content reduces the need for virgin materials and supports waste reduction while maintaining performance comparable to that of products made from new materials.

Bubble Wrap line packaging by Sealed Air. Image: Sealed Air.

In 2023 alone, Sealed Air invested $97 million in research and innovation, with 20% of its total portfolio now made up of recycled or renewable materials, including inflatable cushioning packaging. Prado also highlights the importance of balancing sustainability and efficiency:

“If a recycled material cannot be used due to regulatory issues—such as materials in direct contact with food—or due to a lack of technology to develop durable and high-quality packaging for our clients, we work on developing new structures. In these cases, we create high-engineering materials and reduce packaging thickness without compromising its protective properties, minimizing environmental impact. The goal is to enhance recyclability and reduce waste generation.”
 

The challenge of packaging in Brazil

In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) regulates the production and use of food packaging, defining it as “articles in direct contact with food, whose function is to protect it against external agents, alterations, contamination, and adulteration.” Packaging is classified into specific categories, such as cellulosic, plastic, and metallic, among others, each with its own regulations.

Brazilian standards follow Mercosur guidelines, which are based on regulations from the European Union, the U.S. FDA, and Germany’s BfR. In the case of exports, the destination country's regulations apply, as per Article 54 of Decree-Law No. 986/69. For recycled packaging, specific regulations ensure safety and quality. However, the country's recycling infrastructure still needs improvement.

“It is always very important to remember that packaging is part of a much larger cycle and, therefore, influences and is influenced by various factors such as business decisions, consumer choices, and public policies. The key is to create and promote actions that genuinely benefit people and the environment, eliminating negative impacts and creating new opportunities for socio-economic development. In Brazil, we still have a long way to go in terms of recycling and reverse logistics. Despite this, the government and companies are increasingly signaling, more clearly than ever, the importance of multi-sector initiatives to ensure the circularity of products and packaging,” explains the ambassador of the Circular Movement.

Circular Economy emerges as a promising path. However, businesses, consumers, and governments must rethink how we produce and dispose of packaging, integrating it into a system focused on shared responsibility and respect for both the environment and society.