The Rise of the Takeout and the Business Opportunities of Disposable Food Packaging

In recent years, we have witnessed the rapid development of the food delivery industry. People have shifted from traditional shopping or going out to buy food and goods to enjoying the convenience of obtaining them without leaving their homes. Instant delivery has become an indispensable part of daily life. However, while it brings convenience to people, some hidden risks demand our attention.

Increased Use of Disposable Food and Beverage Packaging

Previously, people dined at restaurants using reusable tableware made of porcelain, stainless steel, or durable plastic, which helped reduce waste and pollution from disposable items. However, once food and beverages are delivered via takeout, disposable packaging—mostly single-use plastic—becomes inevitable, creating severe environmental pollution and imposing a heavy burden on waste management.

One major issue in the food service industry is that most restaurants and delivery companies continue to use non-degradable plastics rather than biodegradable alternatives. This remains the primary cause of environmental pollution.

Many Takeout Packaging Materials Come from Recycled Plastic

On one hand, we consume food meant for digestion. On the other, the packaging may originate from plastic waste recovered from landfills. If customers were to imagine this process, savoring their meals might prove difficult. Plastic pollution poses dual threats: harming the environment and raising hygiene concerns when repurposed from waste streams. Ensuring truly clean and sanitary conditions for food packaged in recycled plastic is highly challenging.

Industry Challenges and the Business Potential of Fully Degradable Plastics

While we consider plastic recycling, we must also acknowledge that fully degradable plastics are, by nature, non-recyclable. When discarded, they decompose like vegetable matter, turning into fertilizer for plant growth. Essentially, fully degradable plastics mimic natural food-based materials—such as coconut shells, which serve both as food remnants and functional containers. Of course, coconut shells represent a primal form of food packaging. In today's modern world, we require more advanced solutions—materials that can be molded into any shape while offering durability and long-term storage viability.

Fraud Risks and Certification of Fully Degradable Plastics

Some consumers worry about purchasing counterfeit degradable products, like containers, cups, or bags. However, distinguishing real from fake is straightforward: producing fake degradables using conventional plastics costs significantly more than manufacturing genuine ones. Visually, glossy finishes betray plastic imposters, whereas true degradables resemble plant matter—often emitting a starchy scent with softer textures. A flame test further clarifies: burning plastic releases pungent fumes, while degradables simply emit a charred, organic odor.

Don't Blindly Trust Certification Companies

1.Certifiers Are Not Infallible—Many lack the scale and expertise of manufacturers. Factories, as producers and innovators, hold far greater authority over quality control. Ironically, some certifiers issue approvals without understanding product structures or performance.

2.Certifiers Are Middlemen—Their business model revolves around profiting as intermediaries, using certifications to mask their role in supply chains.

3.No Control Over Quality—Certifiers neither produce nor oversee manufacturing, leaving actual quality assurance to factories.

4.Certifications as Marketing Tools—Companies with low credibility often tout certifications to bolster trust, despite these endorsements guaranteeing nothing about product integrity.

Thus, if you seek reliable quality and authentic products, prioritize ethical businesses and independently verify claims rather than relying on third-party certifications.