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How do we package food products sustainably in coming decades? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by j4k3@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I imagine all plastics will be out of the question. I'm wondering about what ways food packaging might become regulated to upcycling in the domestic or even commercial space. Assuming energy remains a $ scarce $ commodity I don't imagine recycling glass will be super practical as a replacement. Do we move to more unpackaged goods and bring our own containers to fill at markets? Do we start running two way logistics chains where a more durable glass container is bought and returned to market? How do we achieve a lower energy state of normal in packaging goods?

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[–] reev@sh.itjust.works 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

"Sustainably sourced" doesn't always mean "environmentally sustainable". Unfortunately a lot of bioplastic still isn't biodegradable and will leave us with the same waste issue as regular plastic.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332220303055

Video explainer: https://youtu.be/-_eGOyAiNIQ

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[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Correct, which is exactly why I specified "sustainably sourced" rather than "sustainable".

However, I would argue that biodegradability is not particularly desirable, and that we should be focused on carbon sequestration. A kilogram of carbon, locked up in a polymer matrix and buried in a landfill, is a kilogram of carbon that is not contributing to climate change or choking turtles.

Biodegradability should only be considered a benefit when the material is intended to be released into the biosphere, such as when flushed down a toilet. Biodegradable materials in a landfill decrease the effectiveness of that landfill as a carbon sink by (slowly) degrading into methane.