How Smarter Food Packaging Can Help Reduce Food Waste

Food waste remains a staggering issue in the United States. Recent studies indicate that nearly a third of all food goes uneaten, amounting to approximately 35 million tons and costing Americans more than $260 billion annually. Most of this waste happens in our own kitchens. While sustainability is a popular topic, the reality is that saving money is often the main reason people try to waste less.

One solution that deserves more attention is food packaging. It’s easy to overlook, but the right packaging can make a significant difference. Packaging that truly keeps food fresh, seals tightly, or divides food into manageable portions can help ensure that more of what we buy actually gets used.

Simple adjustments—like using clear packaging so it’s easy to see what food you have left—can also help people avoid forgotten leftovers. And while single-serve packaging sometimes gets a bad rap, it can actually help prevent waste by making it easier to use just what you need.

People of different generations approach food waste in their own ways. Boomers tend to rely on meal planning and careful storage, whereas Gen Z is more likely to adopt approaches such as buying imperfect produce or sharing extra food. Packaging innovations can help everyone—whether by extending shelf life, making it easier to portion food, or encouraging sharing.

Restaurants are also stepping up. Many are switching to sustainable packaging or donating surplus food. Younger diners, in particular, notice these efforts, with most saying they'd rather eat at places committed to reducing waste—even if it costs a bit more.

Ultimately, making it easy for people to waste less is what really makes a difference. Smarter food packaging isn’t a silver bullet, but it's a practical and often overlooked tool. By helping food last longer and encouraging better habits, packaging can play a fundamental role in saving both money and resources.