Resealable packaging has become a reasonably common feature available to shoppers, especially among ready-to-eat meats. As with next-day delivery, we love the convenience. Use what you want, reseal the package and put it in the fridge. But, is that all? Is there more to resealability than cursory convenience?
It may be a buying cue for shoppers: “I think it is,” says a flexible-packaging academic and industry consultant. “Let’s say I buy thick-cut bacon not in a resealable package. After opening it, I have to put what I’ve not used into something so I use a zip-lock bag. Once I’ve used all of my bacon and go to my trash can I’m adding a second package to the waste stream, and it’s not a recyclable material.” Consumers in the 21st Century are more environmentally conscious than ever and subtleties like this are not lost on them. He reasons you may argue a sustainability advantage for resealable packaging from two perspectives — less packaging waste and less food waste at home due to longer shelf life.