With environmental awareness on the rise, adopting food trays made from eco-friendly materials such as plant fibres offers an opportunity to reduce environmental impact and strengthen brand image.

However, to avoid accusations of greenwashing, promoting these initiatives authentically and transparently is essential. Here are some practical marketing tips to highlight your sustainability efforts while remaining credible and honest.

1. Highlight the tangible benefits of sustainable food packaging

When communicating your sustainable packaging choices, it’s crucial to highlight specific, tangible benefits. Instead of making general statements about sustainability, explain how materials like plant fibres help reduce your company’s environmental footprint.

Case in point: “Our plant fibre meal  trays are made from renewable resources that regenerate in less than a year, reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and minimizing our environmental impact.”

Tip: Back it up with data

If possible, provide figures to illustrate the impact of your initiatives. For example, mention the amount of CO2 saved or the percentage of plastic waste avoided thanks to sustainable materials. This strengthens the credibility of your messages and demonstrates the effectiveness of your actions.

2. Share the story behind your sustainable choices

Consumers are increasingly attracted to authentic stories explaining why a company has chosen to adopt more sustainable practices. Share the thought process and steps that led you to adopt sustainable meal trays. Talk about the challenges you faced and why these materials were chosen.

Case in point: “After exploring several alternatives, we opted for plant fibre trays because of their ability to decompose naturally, reducing waste in our operations.”

Tip: Use visual aids

Social networks are a great way to share videos, photos or infographics that illustrate your approach. Showing behind-the-scenes footage of production or testimonials from your partners can reinforce the authenticity of your commitment and create an emotional bond with your audience.

3. Engage your customers in your sustainable approach

An effective way to promote your sustainable packaging is to involve your customers directly in your initiative. Invite them to participate in programs or initiatives highlighting your commitment to sustainability, such as awareness campaigns on eco-friendly materials or initiatives to reduce food waste.

Case in point: “Join us in our sustainable approach by learning how our plant fibre trays contribute to a cleaner future. Together, we can make a difference for our planet.

Tip: Launch participative campaigns

Invite your customers to share their experiences with your sustainable products on social networks. Contests or dedicated hashtags can encourage engagement and highlight your company’s ecological values.

4. Avoiding greenwashing: Transparency and honesty first and foremost

Greenwashing can seriously damage your company’s credibility. To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to be transparent and honest in your communications. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, and don’t overestimate the impact of your initiatives. Transparency about your progress and challenges is essential to maintaining customer trust.

Case in point: “Our plant fibre trays represent a step forward in our commitment to sustainability, but we’re continuing to work on other aspects of our supply chain to reduce our carbon footprint even further.”

Tip: Adopt a balanced approach

Don’t present your initiatives as perfect solutions but rather as steps in a continuous improvement process. Being honest about areas where progress still needs to be made can build trust with your customers and show your sincere commitment.

5. Collaborate with recognized partners and certifications

Obtaining ecological certifications or collaborating with recognized partners in the field of sustainability can reinforce the legitimacy of your actions. Certification such as ASTM D6868 or compostability certification for plant fibre adds external validation to your claims.

Case in point: “Our plant fibre trays are certified compostable, ensuring that they decompose without leaving toxic residues, in compliance with the strictest environmental standards.”

Tip: Highlight your partnerships

Let your customers know that you work with respected organizations to ensure the sustainability of your products. This reinforces the idea that your actions are verified and backed by experts in the field.

Promoting the use of sustainable food trays is an excellent opportunity to improve your company’s image and meet consumers’ growing expectations in terms of sustainability. However, it’s crucial to do so authentically and transparently to avoid accusations of greenwashing. By highlighting hard facts, telling the story of your choices, involving your customers, and remaining honest about your progress, you can create communication that genuinely resonates with your audience.

Contact us today to learn more about our sustainable packaging solutions and how they can support your sustainability efforts. Our experts are ready to help you in this essential step.

Contact us today!