Reducing Plastic Waste is an Important Responsibility for any Business Owner

As a business that prioritises people’s health, I was well aware that plastic food packaging may release harmful chemicals into the food and may, therefore, be harmful to the health of my clients. A chemical called bisphenol-A (a.k.a. BPA) found in plastic containers is hazardous to the health; however, BPA free options are widely available. This still doesn’t benefit the environment.

Going Green Comes with a Cost

After visiting numerous food packaging companies and going through the options available, I realised I would not be able to afford biodegradable/ compostable packaging available in the UAE due to high prices and limited options available. Recently, many environmentally conscious food businesses in the UAE have introduced packaging made out of plants, which is 100% biodegradable, however for a small business such as mine, this was something I could not afford at the early stages.  

Taking a Conscientious Leap with Glass Packaging

After careful thinking, I decided to introduce glass packaging for my meal plans. This means the clients will get their meals delivered in glass containers, which they will wash and return once used. We then recycle and reuse the same containers for meals for the duration of their plan. Although this option required a little more planning and time, it turned out to be the most non-toxic, zero waste, and sustainable option for the meal plans and in the long run, also economical.

Our Planet, Our Responsibility

As a business, I feel that it is my responsibility to encourage and minimise the use of plastic and be a role model for other businesses that this is achievable. It may require you to think outside the box and communicate your intentions to your clients firmly, but the time invested in it not only benefits your business as a whole, it also greatly benefits the planet we are living on. Having grown up in the UAE, I feel blessed that people here are becoming more and more conscious of the negative impact plastic has on the environment and are willing to support efforts made by businesses to reuse/ reduce its consumption.