PLASTIC-FREE PACKAGING INNOVATIONS IN TAKEAWAY AND DELIVERY

As the food delivery boom transforms how we eat, it’s also transforming how we pollute. But a wave of packaging innovation — from biodegradable wrappers to reusable containers — is proving that convenience doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet.

- By Gauri Ghadge

THE PLASTIC PREDICAMENT

Plastic is cheap, durable, and versatile — which is exactly the problem. For decades, it has been the default material for takeaway containers, cups, bags, and cutlery. However, according to a 2021 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, only about 9% of plastic waste globally is recycled. The rest ends up choking landfills, oceans, and even food chains. In the food industry, the rise of online delivery and takeaway — accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic — only intensified this problem. The convenience of ordering biryani or a smoothie to your doorstep came wrapped in layers of plastic, most of which would never be reused, let alone recycled. The world needed an alternative. Innovators answered.

BIODEGRADABLE BREAKTHROUGHS

One of the biggest leaps forward in recent years is biodegradable packaging. These are containers made from organic materials that naturally decompose, often within 90–180 days under commercial composting conditions. Brands like Vegware (UK) and Ecoware (India) have become pioneers in this space. Their containers and cutlery, made from cornstarch, bagasse (sugarcane fiber), and PLA (a cornderived plastic alternative), offer a guilt-free way to package food. Another standout is Notpla, a UK-based startup creating packaging from seaweed — a fast-growing, renewable resource that doesn’t compete with food crops. Their seaweed film is not only compostable but edible, offering a futuristic twist to the idea of sustainable wrapping. Even major brands are taking note. McDonald’s in the UK has begun trials of seaweed-lined cups, while Indian food courts are replacing Styrofoam trays with areca leaf plates and paper-based boxes.

THE REUSABLES REVOLUTION