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Another item that can often be found at catered meetings and events as well as part of almost any fast food take out order is the single-serve condiment packet or container. Many of the single-serve condiments that come standard with your burger and fries or your noodles (e.g., ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce, etc.) are packaged in what are referred to as sachets, which are made from a combination of plastic and aluminum foil. This mixture of materials is the reason sachets are not recyclable, and therefore almost all single-use condiments packaging ends up in the landfill or elsewhere in the environment. Other condiments, such as sugar, salt, and coffee creamer, come either in small paper packets or plastic containers with a foil or paper covering. Though these may be recyclable to an extent, there is no guarantee that they will also not end up in the landfill or the surrounding environment.
Two individuals named Harold Ross and Yale Kaplan invented the original ketchup packet when they received a patent for "Dispensing containers for liquids" in 1955. Heinz did not introduce their ketchup packets until much later in 1967, when they saw the opportunity to provide Americans the ability to take their love for ketchup with them alongside their love for the road. This eventually led to a number of other condiments being offered in similar packaging. Due to the current convenience of being able to take almost any condiment on the road, nearly 855 billion condiment sachets were sold globally in 2018 (Green Peace, 2019). Based on current trends, it is estimated that global consumption will increase to 1.3 trillion by 2027.
It should be noted here that Heinz has vowed to make all of its packaging either recyclable, reusable, or compostable by the year 2025. Even if Heinz reaches such a milestone, there is no guarantee that a majority of these single-use containers will still not end up on the ground. What's more, this will not alleviate the food waste that occurs when an unused and unwanted condiment is thrown away.
The most effective solution to reducing single-serve condiment packaging comes down to individual choice and demand. When ordering take out, you can simply let those serving you know that you do not want any condiments included. If you are planning a meeting or event, you can look for a caterer who is willing and able to serve condiments in larger containers (preferably glass if possible). Finally, on your next road trip, try bringing glass bottles containing your favorite condiments along, though care should be taken that you do not end up with one large gooey mess before returning home.
Action Item
When ordering your next meal as either take-out or delivery, request that any condiments that are usually provided (e.g., ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce, etc.) be omitted.
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