Ready-to-eat foods or prepared meals have become very popular as they cater to the needs of most people in today’s society. However, a related issue is the amount of waste generated, such as paper cups, paper bowls, metal cans, glass bottles, and paper scraps from packaging boxes. Although biodegradable materials are used in production, the packaging designs are still not always suitable or comprehensive for the nature of the product. Developing packaging from natural materials is the best solution to address this issue.

The Importance of Packaging Development

Developing packaging, especially for food and beverage packaging, not only helps solve waste and pollution issues but also benefits manufacturers in several ways:

• Developing packaging using natural materials helps reduce production costs for manufacturers.
• Developing all forms of packaging helps maintain the quality of products, making them more accepted by consumers.
• Innovative packaging development helps create differentiation for products, making the brand memorable to customers.
• Developing packaging from natural materials with suitable graphics that align with the product, such as biodegradable paper cups, paper bowls, or plates, can increase sales in the food and beverage business.

Natural Fibers Used in Packaging Development

Fibers refer to any materials or substances that occur naturally or are man-made. Fibers can be divided into two types: natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Various natural fibers have been researched and developed for packaging, including banana leaf fibers, bamboo fibers, sugarcane bagasse, and pineapple leaf fibers. When these natural fibers are developed into packaging, they decompose quickly, making them environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Modern Packaging That Cares for the Environment

Today, packaging development from natural materials often involves reducing unnecessary components. Modern packaging designs tend to be lightweight and use fewer materials. For example, certain paper cups or coffee cups are thin and light, reducing durability but compensating with eye-catching graphics and designs. This helps preserve natural resources and minimize environmental impact directly.

There are three main factors in developing packaging from natural materials: eco-friendly packaging that decomposes, high-quality packaging that extends product shelf life, and packaging that is convenient for use.