What is the primary driving force compelling the modern invention and reinvention of edible packaging materials?
Environmental concern regarding massive packaging waste issues
The overwhelming impetus behind the current push toward edible packaging solutions stems from ecological responsibility and concerns over environmental sustainability. The historical progression in packaging favored materials that were light, durable, and cheap, culminating in the widespread use of plastics and foils in the 20th century. This efficiency, however, has directly resulted in significant landfill overflow and environmental pollution. Edible packaging presents a conceptually perfect solution to packaging waste—if it cannot be recycled, it can theoretically be consumed—making its development an economic and ecological necessity to mitigate the impact of disposable materials.
