Convenient consumption? Good Natured report uncovers ready meal waste dilemmas

16 Aug 2023 --- Plant-based packaging producer Good Natured has released a report on consumer behavior and convenience eating. Findings from a survey carried out in July this year of 1,000 US adults aged 18-64 reveal that prepared foods and ready-to-eat meals are at an “all-time high,” leading to higher packaging waste.

The “Ready-to-eat” report highlights that while convenience and meal-planning credentials of ready-to-eat meals appeal to consumers, they also increasingly judge food by what it is packaged in.

“The convenience eating trend is resulting in heightened demand for innovative and eco-friendly packaging that maintains the integrity of the food being stored – including design features like tamper resistance, chemical-free materials, fridge and freezer to microwave friendliness and leak resistant seals for longer-lasting freshness and portability,” the report details.

It found that 55% of respondents are worried about their food being tampered with, followed by the temperature of their food and chemicals of concern in food packaging, like BPA and phthalates leaching into their food. Additionally, 86% regarded high-clarity food packaging and 73% cited food freshness as important factors.

According to the report, the top takeout food packaging concerns are freshness (73%), tampered packaging (55%), temperature control of the food (49%) and chemicals of concern in packaging (41%).

“Convenience eating has always been a trend, but what’s changed is how people consume takeout meals. What was once grabbing a pizza and bringing it home has turned into salad bars and grab-and-go lunches from the grocery store, takeout and quick service meal spots,” says Good Natured CEO Paul Antoniadis.

“The key factors consumers keep in mind when shopping for food are visibility and freshness. These factors are illustrated in our various product innovations. Our goal is to make it easy for businesses to choose Good Natured packaging and not have to think twice about food safety, quality or freshness when choosing eco-friendly packaging options.”Grab-and-go lunches from grocery stores have become popular.

Responsibility and confusion
Good Natured finds that consumers are looking for environmentally sustainable packaging when purchasing ready-to-eat meals. Of the respondents, 43% feel that it is a business’s responsibility to provide eco-friendly food packaging to help reduce the effects of climate change. Seventy-seven percent of respondents say eco-friendly food packaging is essential and that they usually look at a product’s packaging when shopping.

Furthermore, the Vancouver-based company iterates that “roughly one in three respondents has good intentions to dispose of or recycle their food packaging, but don’t know the proper procedures to do so.”

In big, bold letters, the report warns that “confusion around how to be more eco-friendly could become America’s hottest climate issue.” Good Natured clarifies that while there is not “one size fits all” solution for packaging disposal, reuse and recycling, more education alone will not solve the confusion consumers face.

“Respondents answered clearly that they expect businesses and industry to take on this challenge and not put the burden of demystifying waste management practices and regulations on them. Especially with packaged convenience foods playing a big role in their quality of life,” the packager writes.

At the packaging industry trade show Interpack 2022 in May this year, Packaging Insights explored ready meal innovations and brought you expert opinions from ProAmpac, Mondi and Graphic Packaging International.

Ready meals saw an increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic but consumers continue to favor flavorful quick meals that require minimal preparation and are readily available, the food packaging experts illustrated.

By Radhika Sikaria

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