GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Food Packaging Industry Statistics

Growing sustainable packaging boosts industry, reduces waste, and meets consumer demand.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Companies adopting eco-friendly packaging in the food industry reported a 25% increase in consumer preference

Statistic 2

60% of consumers prefer purchasing from brands with strong sustainability commitments

Statistic 3

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of single-use plastic packaging by approximately 12%, due to hygiene concerns

Statistic 4

80% of consumers are willing to pay more for products with sustainable packaging, indicating a shift towards eco-conscious purchasing

Statistic 5

65% of consumers say eco-labels influence their purchasing decisions on food packaging

Statistic 6

Transparency and eco-labeling on packaging influence up to 70% of consumer purchasing decisions for food products

Statistic 7

Approximately 300 million tons of plastic packaging waste are produced globally each year

Statistic 8

Over 50% of packaging materials in the food industry are made from plastics

Statistic 9

Biodegradable packaging can reduce environmental impacts by up to 60% compared to traditional plastics

Statistic 10

Sustainable packaging solutions can cut carbon emissions related to food packaging by up to 40%

Statistic 11

40% of food waste is linked to packaging that is either non-biodegradable or not adequately recyclable

Statistic 12

Transitioning to recyclable packaging materials could save the food industry approximately $1.5 billion annually in waste management costs

Statistic 13

Approximately 1.3 billion tons of food packaging waste are generated worldwide each year

Statistic 14

Food packaging accounts for roughly 55% of global plastic packaging waste

Statistic 15

The adoption of plant-based, biodegradable alternatives in food packaging has increased by 35% over the past five years

Statistic 16

Refillable and returnable packaging systems can reduce waste by up to 70%

Statistic 17

The average amount of packaging used per food product has decreased by 15% since 2010 due to sustainability initiatives

Statistic 18

US food packaging waste accounts for roughly 23% of total municipal solid waste

Statistic 19

87% of retailers worldwide are actively seeking sustainable packaging solutions, reflecting industry-wide shift

Statistic 20

Reducing packaging weight by 10% can lead to up to a 5% reduction in related CO2 emissions

Statistic 21

The implementation of sustainable packaging can reduce water usage in packaging processes by up to 30%

Statistic 22

Food packaging contributes approximately 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices

Statistic 23

The adoption of renewable materials in food packaging increased by 25% from 2019 to 2023, reflecting growing sustainability efforts

Statistic 24

Only about 14% of all plastics are recycled globally, emphasizing the need for enhanced recycling infrastructure

Statistic 25

Eco-designing packaging to minimize material use can reduce overall packaging costs by up to 20%

Statistic 26

Companies utilizing biodegradable packaging reported a 15% reduction in environmental impact scores, indicating improved sustainability performance

Statistic 27

Organic waste composting programs can process up to 50% of food packaging waste, reducing landfill contributions

Statistic 28

Approximately 80% of packaged food waste in retail settings is related to packaging, indicating the importance of sustainable packaging for reducing waste

Statistic 29

Packaging life-cycle assessments show that switching to sustainable materials can reduce overall environmental impact by up to 55%

Statistic 30

Edible packaging, made from natural ingredients, is emerging as a potential sustainable alternative, with several prototypes currently in development

Statistic 31

Innovations in packaging, such as edible coatings, can extend shelf life by up to 50%, reducing food waste

Statistic 32

The global food packaging market is projected to reach $370 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%

Statistic 33

The use of compostable food packaging materials increased by 20% annually between 2018 and 2023

Statistic 34

Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most commonly used biodegradable plastic in food packaging, with a market growth rate of 8% annually

Statistic 35

The global demand for recyclable food packaging materials is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% through 2028

Statistic 36

Bamboo-based food packaging is gaining popularity and is expected to reach a market value of $750 million by 2025

Statistic 37

The use of algae-based bioplastics in food packaging is projected to grow by 12% annually over the next decade

Statistic 38

The circular economy approach in food packaging could create an estimated $2.75 trillion in economic activity by 2040

Statistic 39

Compostable packaging made from bagasse is gaining market traction and expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% until 2026

Statistic 40

The pharmaceutical and food industries are adopting more active and intelligent packaging to improve sustainability, with a growth rate of 9% annually

Statistic 41

The adoption of edible and compostable packaging solutions is expected to reach a market size of $2.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.5%

Statistic 42

The global market for edible packaging materials is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% until 2030, driven by consumer demand for sustainable options

Statistic 43

Only 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled

Statistic 44

Recycling rates for food packaging plastics vary widely by region, with Europe leading at around 42%, and North America at approximately 16%

Statistic 45

Recycled PET (rPET) accounts for about 30% of the total PET used in food packaging products

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Key Highlights

The global food packaging market is projected to reach $370 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%
Approximately 300 million tons of plastic packaging waste are produced globally each year
Over 50% of packaging materials in the food industry are made from plastics
Biodegradable packaging can reduce environmental impacts by up to 60% compared to traditional plastics
Only 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled
Sustainable packaging solutions can cut carbon emissions related to food packaging by up to 40%
40% of food waste is linked to packaging that is either non-biodegradable or not adequately recyclable
Companies adopting eco-friendly packaging in the food industry reported a 25% increase in consumer preference
Transitioning to recyclable packaging materials could save the food industry approximately $1.5 billion annually in waste management costs
The use of compostable food packaging materials increased by 20% annually between 2018 and 2023
Approximately 1.3 billion tons of food packaging waste are generated worldwide each year
Food packaging accounts for roughly 55% of global plastic packaging waste
The adoption of plant-based, biodegradable alternatives in food packaging has increased by 35% over the past five years

With the food packaging industry projected to reach $370 billion by 2027, a shift towards sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable solutions is not only vital for reducing environmental impact—cutting plastic waste by up to 60% and lowering carbon emissions by 40%—but also essential for meeting rising consumer demand and driving economic growth.

Consumer Preferences and Behavior

Companies adopting eco-friendly packaging in the food industry reported a 25% increase in consumer preference
60% of consumers prefer purchasing from brands with strong sustainability commitments
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of single-use plastic packaging by approximately 12%, due to hygiene concerns
80% of consumers are willing to pay more for products with sustainable packaging, indicating a shift towards eco-conscious purchasing
65% of consumers say eco-labels influence their purchasing decisions on food packaging
Transparency and eco-labeling on packaging influence up to 70% of consumer purchasing decisions for food products

Consumer Preferences and Behavior Interpretation

As the food packaging industry embraces eco-conscious practices—driving a 25% surge in consumer preference, with 80% willing to pay more and 70% influenced by eco-labels—it's clear that sustainability is no longer just a trend but a vital ingredient for winning consumer trust, even as challenges like a 12% spike in single-use plastics during COVID-19 remind us that green initiatives must be as resilient as they are responsible.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Approximately 300 million tons of plastic packaging waste are produced globally each year
Over 50% of packaging materials in the food industry are made from plastics
Biodegradable packaging can reduce environmental impacts by up to 60% compared to traditional plastics
Sustainable packaging solutions can cut carbon emissions related to food packaging by up to 40%
40% of food waste is linked to packaging that is either non-biodegradable or not adequately recyclable
Transitioning to recyclable packaging materials could save the food industry approximately $1.5 billion annually in waste management costs
Approximately 1.3 billion tons of food packaging waste are generated worldwide each year
Food packaging accounts for roughly 55% of global plastic packaging waste
The adoption of plant-based, biodegradable alternatives in food packaging has increased by 35% over the past five years
Refillable and returnable packaging systems can reduce waste by up to 70%
The average amount of packaging used per food product has decreased by 15% since 2010 due to sustainability initiatives
US food packaging waste accounts for roughly 23% of total municipal solid waste
87% of retailers worldwide are actively seeking sustainable packaging solutions, reflecting industry-wide shift
Reducing packaging weight by 10% can lead to up to a 5% reduction in related CO2 emissions
The implementation of sustainable packaging can reduce water usage in packaging processes by up to 30%
Food packaging contributes approximately 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices
The adoption of renewable materials in food packaging increased by 25% from 2019 to 2023, reflecting growing sustainability efforts
Only about 14% of all plastics are recycled globally, emphasizing the need for enhanced recycling infrastructure
Eco-designing packaging to minimize material use can reduce overall packaging costs by up to 20%
Companies utilizing biodegradable packaging reported a 15% reduction in environmental impact scores, indicating improved sustainability performance
Organic waste composting programs can process up to 50% of food packaging waste, reducing landfill contributions
Approximately 80% of packaged food waste in retail settings is related to packaging, indicating the importance of sustainable packaging for reducing waste
Packaging life-cycle assessments show that switching to sustainable materials can reduce overall environmental impact by up to 55%

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Interpretation

With over 300 million tons of annual plastic waste and only 14% of plastics recycled globally, adopting biodegradable and recyclable packaging isn't just eco-friendly—it’s an urgent economic and environmental imperative, promising to cut emissions, reduce costs, and curb the staggering 55% of retail food waste linked to packaging.

Innovation and Material Technologies

Edible packaging, made from natural ingredients, is emerging as a potential sustainable alternative, with several prototypes currently in development
Innovations in packaging, such as edible coatings, can extend shelf life by up to 50%, reducing food waste

Innovation and Material Technologies Interpretation

As edible packaging prototypes ripen in the lab, their potential to extend shelf life by up to 50% and cut food waste signals a deliciously promising shift toward sustainable innovation in the food industry.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global food packaging market is projected to reach $370 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%
The use of compostable food packaging materials increased by 20% annually between 2018 and 2023
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most commonly used biodegradable plastic in food packaging, with a market growth rate of 8% annually
The global demand for recyclable food packaging materials is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% through 2028
Bamboo-based food packaging is gaining popularity and is expected to reach a market value of $750 million by 2025
The use of algae-based bioplastics in food packaging is projected to grow by 12% annually over the next decade
The circular economy approach in food packaging could create an estimated $2.75 trillion in economic activity by 2040
Compostable packaging made from bagasse is gaining market traction and expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% until 2026
The pharmaceutical and food industries are adopting more active and intelligent packaging to improve sustainability, with a growth rate of 9% annually
The adoption of edible and compostable packaging solutions is expected to reach a market size of $2.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.5%
The global market for edible packaging materials is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% until 2030, driven by consumer demand for sustainable options

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

As the food packaging industry surges toward a $370 billion future with innovations like edible, bamboo, and algae-based solutions expanding at double-digit growth rates, it’s clear that embracing sustainability isn't just good for the planet but also a lucrative blueprint for economic resilience—proving that going green now pays dividends later.

Recycling, Circular Economy, and Regulatory Developments

Only 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled
Recycling rates for food packaging plastics vary widely by region, with Europe leading at around 42%, and North America at approximately 16%
Recycled PET (rPET) accounts for about 30% of the total PET used in food packaging products

Recycling, Circular Economy, and Regulatory Developments Interpretation

With only 9% of plastic waste ever recycled and recycling rates in regions like North America lagging at around 16%, the food packaging industry’s reliance on recycled PET—just 30% of total PET—highlights how much recyclable material remains unclaimed, underscoring the urgent need for a global rethink on waste management and sustainable design.