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Trend watch: Demand for more delivery options conflicts with push to abandon single-use packaging

The Foodservice Packaging Institute's annual trends survey found that the two greatest trends in foodservice packaging — increased delivery and abandoning single-use packaging — were in direct conflict with each other, yet intertwined.

March 7, 2019

By Lynn Dyer, president of the trade association for the North American foodservice packaging industry.

Being on top of developments in the foodservice industry is paramount, and that includes knowing the latest trends in packaging used for your foods and beverages. For that reason, FPI has conducted its annual Trends Report each year for the past 10 years.

In our most recent 2018 survey, we saw the two greatest trends in foodservice packaging  — increased delivery and abandoning single-use packaging —  being in direct conflict with each other, yet intertwined. Both affect how fast casual brands try to meet the needs of its customers and expand their businesses.

First, we saw an immense amount of push-back on all things single-use. So much so that, "single-use," was selected as the 2018 word of the year by Collins Dictionary. Certainly, single-use is a concept we live and breathe every day, but it's become so much a part of the public's lexicon, it's commonly recognized outside our industry. In fact, Collins says there's been a four-fold increase in its usage since 2013.

Plastic is the primary material catching criticism for being single-use. In 2018, the plastic straw was the poster child for this movement. But, paper isn't immune to scrutiny, either. The mere mention of single-use has many questioning its use. Is this item necessary or just a product of the overindulgent lifestyle we have all grown accustomed to? Can we replace it with a multi-use item? How do these products affect the environment? 

To lessen these negative connotations surrounding single-use items, we see continued efforts to limit their environmental impact, whether it's through the use of renewable materials or recycled content. Plus, there is greater emphasis on the recyclable or compostable attributes of these products. FPI has several special interest groups working to increase the recovery of these products. The Paper Recovery Alliance and Plastics Recovery Group works with various stakeholders to recycle and compost more paper and plastic cups and take-out containers. The Foam Recycling Coalition provides grants to those interested in recycling foam polystyrene specifically.

Delivery, however, continues to be the sales driver for the foodservice industry, and what allows delivery to happen? Single-use foodservice packaging. It's not just for pizza anymore!

Delivery offerings have elevated the importance of single-use foodservice packaging for a few reasons. First, and most obviously, it keeps hot foods hot and cold foods cold as it's being delivered. Second, the package protects the food inside once in transport, leading to greater use of tamper-evident packs. Third, it creates the only opportunity to promote a foodservice brand when the customer doesn't interact with the brand itself, using any number of third-party apps to order his or her meal. 

It remains to be seen how the industry, and those influencing it, reconcile these two opposing trends. What we do know is that the foodservice packaging industry will continue to deliver (yes, pun intended) new and innovative products to a hungry growing market, satisfying customers and consumers alike. This will enable you to make the final decision on what types of foodservice packaging you use in your fast-casual restaurant.