The only goal of packaging is to hold your product. Right? Wrong. If that statement were correct, we could put our microgreens in a cardboard shoe box and put it on display, but we can’t. Your packaging must balance five factors: preservation, aesthetics, cost, ergonomics, and environmental impact. In an ideal world, your packaging would be transparent to show off the microgreens. It would maximize shelf life. It would be easy and intuitive to open and use. It would cost next to nothing, and its production would benefit the environment.
Preservation: High-quality microgreens can survive for two weeks or more. Hardier varieties, like sunflower and pea shoots, can last a month or longer. Your packaging must be airtight if you want to hit these benchmarks. This will prevent the product from drying out and wilting. Likewise, steer clear of materials that soak up water, such as cardboard packaging. Any moisture will cause the microgreens to mold in the packaging.
Aesthetics: Consumers shop with their eyes. We want aesthetic packaging but also want it to display our microgreens well. Aesthetic packaging is symmetric, transparent, and neutrally colored. It sits upright on the shelf and has a large front face. We all know the feeling of opening a brand-new iPhone or Mac. Apple's unboxing experience is so special that we often keep the packaging for years. Transfer that thinking when picking your microgreen packaging. Does the material feel good in your hands? Does the plastic have a weird yellow tinge? A large front face on the packaging will show off your microgreens. A large front face will be highly visible to consumers.
Ergonomics: Aesthetics and ergonomics go hand in hand. Can you hold the container with one hand? Can you open it with one hand, or do you need to put it on the counter to use both hands? The packaging should be symmetric and not oddly shaped. Irregularly shaped packaging won’t fit nicely into shopping carts, bags, and fridges. Is the material easy to puncture? Does it break or crack if dropped from the counter? In another article, we cover the differences between PLA and PET-based packaging. Years of experience have shown me that PLA-based packaging is brittle. It can crack or shatter if opened improperly or dropped. Is the base separate from the lid or connected? Is there a tamper-evident seal? A tear-away tab? Is it resealable?
Cost: It would be nice to pay nothing for your inputs, right? Of course. Let’s be realistic, though. Depending on the size, quantity, and material of the packaging, you can expect to pay $0.20-$1.00. That price includes the base and lid. Petroleum-based packaging, like PET, will cost less than bio-based packaging, like PLA. Buying one box of packaging will cost more per box than buying it by the pallet. 64-ounce containers require more material than 16-ounce containers and will cost more as a result.
Environmental Impact: Younger generations are increasingly prioritizing environmental stewardship. You should weigh if it's worth spending more on eco-friendly packaging. Will your packaging be single-use or reusable? Will it be made from PET, PLA, HDPE, or one of the many other plastics if it’s single-use? If it's reusable, will it be made of glass, silicone, plastic, aluminum, or a sturdier material? If it’s reusable, how do you plan on collecting it from your customers? How do you plan on sterilizing it between uses? Reusable options will cost significantly more to purchase, but potentially save you money in the long run. Consider the environmental impact to manufacture, transport, and then collect and clean or dispose of the packaging. A life cycle assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impact of a product. LCAs look at sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal. The field of LCA thinking is new and LCAs are complicated. I encourage you to read our article on the environmental impacts of PLA versus PET.
Best for Beginners
Best for Bulk
Decide where you’ll sell your microgreens. What factors matter to you and your customers? If you only plan on selling to local home consumers, it's more feasible to use reusable containers to package your microgreens. You'll prefer a cost-effective disposable option when working with distributors. You’ll need to make trade-offs in one category to maximize the benefits of another category. You can't buy the cheapest option and expect it to be eco-friendly and reusable.
If you liked this article, check out our other blogs related to packaging and labeling.
Caveats: The packaging discussion only includes the package itself, not labels.
Compostable v. Petroleum-Based Microgreen Packaging
Share this post: