19fbtechreview.comSEPTEMBER 2024Customer demand is a significant driver of the shift to sustainable packaging in the food service industryopportunity has driven the industry to bring forward more sustainable alternatives to plastic that can better meet the needs of the operator and their diners. In some ways, food service packaging has come full circle since carry-out started to become popular. Today, we are returning to natural products like paper, molded plant fiber, and wood. These materials were once used because they were all that was available. Today, they are used because they are viewed as more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Other materials gaining a share in this space are biopolymers made from renewable sources of raw materials. These materials are often still considered "polymers" but can have some benefits, such as composability and sustainable raw materials sources. At US Foods®, we stay abreast of evolving technology, evident in the recent launch of our Monogram® EvolveTM straw. This straw is made from a biopolymer called PHA and is our first third-party product certified by TUV as Home Compostable. There are a few key factors involved with the successful adoption of a single-use plastic alternative product. The first is cost. Cost is still a key factor as operators consider evolving their operations, so it's important that more sustainable options also come at a price that can align with the operator's needs. The second key factor is functionality. As we are developing new innovative products, performance is key. The more sustainable container should perform well, if not better, than the traditional option. At US Foods®, we go to great lengths to ensure this functionality through our rigorous development process, which includes various levels of laboratory and real-world testing before a product is approved for launch to our customers. Third, it's important to provide messaging about the benefits of the item clearly and concisely so that the operator understands and can easily communicate it to their diners as needed. It's also important to keep the message concise and aligned with legal claims. There is no indication that this movement is slowing down, and there is a lot of opportunity for continued innovation in this space. The food service industry is embracing this change on every front, and the momentum is building. Offering innovative alternatives to traditional single-use plastics is no longer seen as negotiable. It has become a necessity, and that, as we all know, is the "mother of invention."
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