In a surprising find, a recent study indicates that meal kits may have a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional grocery shopping. If you’ve been hesitant about services like Blue Apron or HelloFresh due to their packaging waste, this research might change your perspective. According to a report published in the journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling, meal delivery companies are actually more eco-friendly than conventional grocery stores.
Researchers highlighted that grocery store meals often come in bulk and are not pre-portioned, leading to significant food waste. In fact, meals from grocery stores generate 33% more greenhouse gases than those from meal kit services. Shelia Thompson, the lead author of the study, stated, “Meal kits are designed to minimize food waste.” She emphasized that while meal kits may have more packaging, the real environmental concern lies in food waste and transportation emissions.
Research Methodology
To test their hypothesis, the research team ordered five meals from Blue Apron and purchased the equivalent ingredients from a grocery store, carefully measuring every ounce of food and packaging involved. The findings favored Blue Apron, revealing a lower overall environmental impact.
Concerns over the cardboard and plastic waste generated by meal kits are valid. However, Thompson pointed out that the trade-off between packaging and reduced food waste is significant. “Although the cardboard from these meal kits might seem detrimental, the food that goes to waste from grocery stores, such as that extra chicken breast that gets freezer-burned, carries a much heavier environmental toll given the resources required to produce it.”
The Growing Meal Kit Industry
The meal kit industry is gaining traction, with sales reaching $3.1 billion in 2018 and a growth rate of 22%. A Nielsen survey indicated that 25% of respondents planned to order meal kits within six months. According to doctoral student Mark Grayson from the University of Michigan, “The way people buy and receive food is changing, and meal kits are likely to be a significant part of that evolution.” He emphasized the need to reduce food waste further while improving transportation logistics and packaging to lessen emissions.
Conclusion
As climate change presents urgent challenges, meal kits could represent a viable option for decreasing our carbon footprint. For those interested in alternative methods of family building, consider exploring resources like this excellent guide or our post on home insemination kits. And if you’re also looking for baby name inspiration, check out this authority on popular baby girl names.
In summary, meal kits are not as harmful to the environment as previously thought, and they present a potential solution for reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.