Can Sustainable Packaging Help to Reduce Food Waste? A Status Quo Focusing Plant-Derived Polymers and Additives

The promotion of sustainable packaging is part the European Green Deal and plays a key role in EU’s social political strategy. One option use renewable resources biomass waste as raw materials for polymer production. Lignocellulose from annual perennial industrial crops agricultural residues are major source polysaccharides, proteins, lignin can also be used to obtain plant-based extracts essential oils. Therefore, these biomasses considered potential substitute fossil-based resources. Here, status quo bio-based polymers discussed evaluated terms properties related applications such gas water vapor permeability well mechanical properties. So far, their practical still restricted due lower performance fundamental functions that directly influence food quality safety, length shelf life, thus amount waste. Besides polymers, this review focuses on plant active agents. Incorporating herbs, flowers, trees, fruits inevitable achieve desired material capable prolong life. Finally, adoption based bioeconomy perspective.