Waste-free packaging is here, but are consumers ready for it? Via The Guardian.
The packaging industry acknowledges that there’s a psychological barrier to eating packaging, particularly in regards to aesthetics. For example: bits of a membrane stuck between teeth or bits of cup floating in a drink. A combination of not wanting to alienate consumers and food safety regulations means that Loliware’s cups and WikiFood’s yogurt pearls are currently sold in eco-friendly packaging. While Loliware aspires to market its product in edible boxes, WikiFoods’ ambition is to go container-free and for the pearls to be sold a bit like sweets in a pick’n’mix aisle. “It could be a served bar situation, like a gelato bar, or a bulk option in the freezer where consumers can fill their own containers,” adds Freedman.
There’s also the issue of hygiene to be navigated; sceptics are likely to be concerned about possible contamination. WikiFoods believes that this is simply because people aren’t used to seeing certain products that are normally packaged out of their wrapping.
“I would politely ask [any concerned person] what they do with their apples and other produce when they take them home. I assume they wash them. Which is what you can do with a WikiPearl,” explains Freedman. “Or what do they do when they take bagels, scones or muffins from the bakery racks? They use tongs or a piece of wax paper to place it in a container.”