Balancing environmental protection and fruit and vegetable preservation can be achieved from the following aspects:
1、 Choose appropriate environmentally friendly packaging materials Degradable materials Choose biodegradable packaging materials such as polylactic acid (PLA), starch based plastics, etc. These materials can naturally decompose in specific environments, reducing pollution to the environment, while also providing some protection for fruits and vegetables. For example, packaging strawberries with PLA film can ensure their freshness while reducing their impact on the environment. Paper materials Priority should be given to recyclable paper packaging, such as unbleached kraft paper, corrugated paper, etc. Paper materials have good breathability, which helps with the respiration of fruits and vegetables, and are also environmentally friendly. Multi layer paper packaging can be designed to enhance its moisture resistance and buffering performance, improving the preservation effect of fruits and vegetables.
2、 Optimize packaging design Breathable design Set appropriate breathable holes or use materials with good breathability on the packaging to ensure that fruits and vegetables can breathe normally and reduce decay. But it is important to control the degree of breathability and avoid excessive loss of moisture. For example, paper packaging designed for apples can have a few small holes on the side to ensure breathability and prevent the apples from losing water too quickly. Appropriate size Design packaging dimensions based on the size and shape of fruits and vegetables to avoid excessive packaging and waste of materials, while also ensuring more stable placement of fruits and vegetables inside the packaging and reducing collision damage. If carrots are packaged in a certain length, they will not shake inside the packaging and can save packaging materials.
3、 Adopting environmentally friendly preservation technology Modified Atmosphere Preservation Using modified atmosphere packaging technology to adjust the gas composition inside the packaging, reduce oxygen content, increase carbon dioxide content, inhibit the respiration of fruits and vegetables, and extend the shelf life. This technology typically uses packaging bags made of recyclable plastic film or environmentally friendly materials. For example, placing fresh green leafy vegetables in a modified atmosphere packaging bag can extend the freshness of the vegetables while reducing their impact on the environment. Natural preservative Use natural preservatives such as plant extracts, microbial preparations, etc. instead of chemical preservatives. These preservatives are environmentally friendly and can effectively maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables. For example, using natural substances such as chitosan to coat fruits can have a preservation effect without producing harmful substances.
