The Future of Packaging: It's Exicting

I've posted about edible packaging (boxes, bags, food containers) particularly as it relates to take-away restaurant food. But it can be expanded to include frozen and other non-parishable products.

I believe that edible packaging will become commonplace in the future. In addition, there will be 'smart' and reusable packaging of a wide array of products - replacing paper and plastics.

Points to consider:
- There exists tremendous waste associated with present packaging from over-packaged products to the extensive use of plastics.
- 30% of all harvested food is lost through waste, low shelf-lifes, and transit.

In testing at KFC

Virtually everything is packaged. Therefore packaging is the focal point of many new technologies. For example, what and how will the package communicate. What's in the box? When was it filled? How much does it weigh? Was it stolen? Are the contents spoiled? Where is the package in the supply chain? And so on.

The evolution in packaging will be consumer driven and not governmental, as consumers support purchasing products that minimize waste. Packaging impacts everyone! It effects our survival: food, healthcare, personal care, everything. Today, there are concerns regarding spoilage, authenticity, origin, tracking, etc.

Edible containers for humans or pets

In the future, packaging that is sustainable, personalized, and reusable will be the norm.Veggie and protein based packaging that can be consumed (by humans or pets) or reused in a different application will be common.

Originally, packaging served as a container. It evolved to include advertising and now will play an even greater role spurred-on by the growth of e-commerce, emerging markets, shifting consumer preferences, interest in sustainable materials, and the use of advanced packaging technologies, like sensor embedding.

Look for it soon and it's all good!

Jim Lavorato
Founder/President, 4M Performance & FundHouse Ventures