Can Banana Leaves Replace Traditional Plastic Packaging?

Can Banana Leaves Replace Traditional Plastic Packaging?

Friday, July 07, 2023

Can Banana Leaves Replace Traditional Plastic Packaging?

For many, it's an exciting new trend—even Forbes is jumping on the bandwagon. But it actually spans back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Companies today are using banana leaves to replace plastic packaging for foods, and they're getting fantastic results. Here's what you need to know.

Banana Leaves Are a Traditional Packing Material

Banana leaves are hardy, water-tight, and clean. Bananas are also one of the largest crops in the world, so banana leaves are readily available. Many ancient, cultural cuisines were wrapped in banana leaves for storage. These thick, glossy leaves hold moisture in and don't easily degrade, thereby making them a perfect food saver.

Of course, all of this also means that many cultures are already used to the idea of banana leaves as a packing material, and are consequently willing to accept them in stores. Banana leaves have already achieved widespread use in areas such as Thailand.

The Benefits of Banana Leaves

As many companies are now moving away from single use plastics, they're seeking biodegradable packaging for food. Banana leaves are 100%  environmentally-friendly and sustainable. They will degrade just like any other plant product once they've been discarded, and they're a by-product that is continuously produced.

1. They're cheap. Because banana leaves are everywhere that bananas are, they're readily available. They don't cost anything to grow, and they're already growing on existing distribution channels.
2. They're large. Banana leaves are often used as serving vessels because of their size. A banana leaf can be used to wrap fairly large food items.
3. They're clean. The slick nature of banana leaves means that they're water proof and easy to clean. Other leaves may not be clean enough to use for food service.
4. They're attractive. Banana leaves grow in a bright color, and they retain that bright color, making them look fresh and new even days after they have been cut. 
5. They’re guilt-free and compostable. There are no special processes required for getting rid of banana leaves; they can be thrown in the trash or composted outside.
6. They're natural. Banana leaves don't need additional treatments to remain fresh-looking or water-resistant. Consequently, they're perfect for those who are interested in natural foods.

Banana leaves are also lightweight, healthy, and attractive. Many people who are uncomfortable with plastics may be comfortable with the use of banana leaves, as they won't pass unusual chemicals to food.

Other Sustainable Options

Banana leaves aren't the only biodegradable  packaging for food. As more countries ban plastics, companies are finding alternatives. Some of the more popular alternatives include:

1. Paper packaging. Many are moving increasingly towards sustainable paper products rather than plastics. While plastics were originally intended to reduce the impact of the paper industry, many paper companies are now clearly more sustainable.
2. Bamboo packaging. Bamboo is becoming a very popular product, because it grows quickly and it's eco-friendly. A type of grass, bamboo grows more quickly than trees and can thrive in much harsher environments.
3. Reusable packages. Instead of disposable packaging, some companies are selling reusable items. Companies popularly offer a discount for returning with a reusable package. 

There's a significant waste problem on a global level, and companies are going to need to do something about it if they're going to survive and please new consumers. Many countries are taking action against single-use plastics and non-biodegradable products. What is your plan?

Source : afflink.com/blog/can-banana-leaves-replace-traditional-plastic-packaging

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Using Banana Leaves Instead of Plastic Packaging

Using Banana Leaves Instead of Plastic Packaging

Friday, July 07, 2023

Supermarkets in Vietnam have adopted an initiative from Thailand that makes use of banana leaves instead of plastic as a packaging alternative. 

Thailand earned praise for coming up with the eco-friendly packaging after a local firm featured it on their page last week. The novel idea, caught the attention of Vietnamese supermarkets. Big supermarket chains in Vietnam, such as Lotte Mart, Saigon Co.op, and Big C, have all started to follow in the Thai store’s footsteps by experimenting with banana leaves as a packaging alternative in their stores as well.

 A representative from the Lotte Mart chain shared that they are still in the testing phase but are planning to replace plastic with leaves nationwide very soon. Aside from wrapping vegetables and fruits, the grocery chain intends to also use the leaves for fresh meat products. Customers have since been applauding the effort.

“When I see vegetables wrapped in these beautiful banana leaves I’m more willing to buy in larger quantities. I think this initiative will help locals be more aware of protecting the environment.”

The use of leaves as packaging is a welcome addition to the numerous other efforts establishments in Vietnam are experimenting with to reduce plastic waste. Big C, for instance, already offers biodegradable bags made with corn powder in its stores. With Vietnam ranking number four in the world for the biggest amount of plastic waste dumped into the ocean, such efforts are of the utmost importance.

Source : https://marketingedge.com.ng/supermarkets-in-asia-are-now-using-banana-leaves-instead-of-plastic-packaging/

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Banana Leaves as A Natural Food Packaging

Banana Leaves as A Natural Food Packaging

Friday, July 07, 2023

Banana Leaves as A Natural Food Packaging

The usage of banana leaves are often found in the traditional market for traditional food and cakes such as Arem-arem, Lontong, Lemper, Nagasari, Kopyor, etc. its also sometimes seen in your daily food stall and restaurant for take-home order. 

In modern food industry banana leaves are often used as alternative to modern synthetic packaging on daily food in Indonesia. However, there is a certain limitation to that statement as some Indonesian traditional food rely on its natural food packaging. 

Just like peanuts with its skin, some foods comes with its packaging and cannot be made without it. Ba Chang/Bakcang/Zongzi is a meat dumpling where the leaves are ‘treated’ or boiled before it is used for wrapping. The wrapping is so important that record said they had 57 documented leaves type just for it (Lin et all. 2019). 

The other food, like Ketupat and Lemang also need an obligatory packaging for both of them are made for Ied ceremony. 

Food packaging materials serve to extend the shelf life of food and protect it mechanically from chemical and biological contaminants. One of the safest food wrapping materials to use is natural ingredients such as leaves. 

The reasons leaves are a good natural packaging material is they have a positive impact on the environment and consumers because they do not contain harmful chemicals, can be found easily, can be formed easily and give a delicious aroma to food (Astuti, 2009). Natural packaging material sometimes proven to be cheaper. 

Study results are known from the research of Lestari et al. (2016) that the production cost of the Tempeh home industry in Purworejo Regency for plastic packaging is an average of IDR 1,298,080.00. Meanwhile, the production cost of the home industry for tempeh in banana leaf packaging is an average of Rp. 1,209,265.67. For a by-product that comes with banana production, banana leaves is an attractive alternatives for plastics that has a-0-cost. Banana leaves also eco-friendly and biodegradable and also easily be bend and twist to make a good stylist natural packaging. 

Source: https://www.globalscientificjournal.com/researchpaper/Banana_Leaves_as_A_Natural_Food_Packaging_A_Review.pdf

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