The Future of Fast Food Packaging
At a time of ecological and social responsibility, it no longer makes sense to allow our landfills to overflow at such a rapid rate. State and counties throughout the country are requiring reusable bags for grocery stores. In the future, reusable packaging will become more widely accepted by many industries and most importantly the fast food industry.
My vision is to create and manage reusable packaging and compostable goods for the fast food industry.
Let's take a look at how it might work.
RETHINKING FAST FOOD 2030
* Photo taken in Poland.
The Problem
Federal Environmental Protection Agency found that half of all municipalities will run out of landfill space within 10 years and one third of municipalities will run out within 5 years
In Germany and Scandinavia, landfill constitutes less than 5% of total waste management!
Compostable packaging is the law
in many European countries, and American brands we know so well
abide by these standards outside
the United States.
Compostable packaging
from the UK
Opportunity
With municipal laws requiring reuseable bags in grocery stores and the availability
of compostable materials, it’s time for fast food restaurants to follow these laws,
since they are amongst the largest waste generators.
In addition, there is a profit to be made from the sale of the bags.
Let's Take a Look at One Major Influencer
*Infographics by RW
A Stark Reality in Waste and New Sales
Environmental Responsibility
"Our ultimate vision is to avoid waste in the first place. When we do generate waste, we want it to be recycled into valuable resources.
We will not meet our vision without learning together, engaging our customers and crew, along with the broader community."
McDonalds.com Sustainability page 2015
Introducing a New Direction
With current advancements in plastics, compostables and logistics, it’s time to rethink the US model of disposable trash based packaging. There is some movement toward recycling, and that should continue. But in the years to come, we should aim for a zero waste system. There is simply no space left in our landfills. As penalties are raised for waste, the responsible and economic action is to eliminate fast food waste completely. Is this possible? As demonstrated in Europe, yes it is.
Renewable Earth is a complete vision for the future. The materials used would come in three forms. Biodegradable reusable bags, compostable packaging (which could be used in farms to grow the very crops bought by the fast food chains), and packaging that could disintegrate in hot water after several minutes. The goal is to create a complete system that each fast food company could sign on to be a part of, creating goodwill with consumers and benefiting our environment.
Perhaps it will look something like this!
The updated packaging should elevate the brand in style and celebrate environmental awareness in it's simplicity. Colors and logos for various food chains would be identifiable. In addition, since these would initially roll out in the United States, they will gain status outside the country as a collectible. Improvements in design a selling point.
In celebration of
the golden arches
*Concept by RW in 2016
Hot/Cold drink cup and
elimination of the boxes
Exciting new compartment for ketchup and sauce!
And perhaps the drive-thru could run like this.
This is a starting point for how the reusable system could work. With testing and practice, it would carefully be revised and perfected with time. New routines would be created, as demonstrated by grocery stores, and by 2030 this would be habit. There's no doubt it CAN work for everyone.
Reusable bags can be washed and used at any local business!
Can we reduce waste and make a profit? The answer is YES.
As new waste penalties take effect
and a majority of landfills close. We will reach a time
when recycling isn’t enough and a culture of
reuse becomes the norm. Let's prepare.
Summary