The ways in which different types of assistance materials are packaged, transported, and stored significantly impact the quantity and type of packaging needed.

In general food distribution for cooking results in a lot of packaging waste and littering which causes pollution to air, water, and soil, and ultimately leads to disease spread amongst the flora, fauna, and humans.

Food kits for people migrating on foot (walkers) often contain large amounts of packaging and the waste left behind by walkers is often remarked upon by communities with some resentment.

Involving at-risk groups into recycling activities could help to empower them by being drivers of change and having a positive environmental impact.

Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Deforestation
Climate change
Natural Resource depletion

Water sources and soil can be affected by accumulation of waste and spills from piled wasted items. Also, accumulation of packaging, containers and bottles may result in contamination of waters sources and end up in rivers, lakes and the ocean. This can lead to disease spread.

Delivery of items can have negative effects on the environment if activities are not well planned or the needs and behaviour of individuals and communities are not appropriately assessed. When delivered items do not match with the cultural particularities of affected communities, items may be unused and may pile. When items are used but the resulting waste is not properly managed, waste accumulates in places that have limited recycling capabilities. Wasted items are often disposed of locally by open burning, causing air pollution. Piling of solid waste food packaging can harbour disease vectors.

Assess the type of packaging used for distributed food. Consolidate and streamline distribution to reduce transportation needs, improve warehousing efficiency, and ultimately reduce the quantity of packaging used.

Consider environmentally friendly (e.g. biodegradable) and/or reusable packaging alternatives.

Develop Clean up strategy and initiatives to handle plastic waste and other recyclable items.

Amend procurement contracts to require suppliers to reduce packaging and make the packaging re-usable / recyclable or compostable.

During consultations, stakeholders have proposed minimizing waste through packaging food in kits – which involve packaging various components of a set as one unit versus individual units.

Use minimal packaging (biodegradable where possible) and locally appropriate materials, if possible by promoting a partnership with the local government and packaging material manufacturers. Provide food receptacles that can be reused, recycled, or re-appropriated. Consider new technologies, such as hermetically sealed packaging to reduce the need for pesticide usage.

The UNHRD Lab is working on an initiative called “give the packaging a second chance,” which seeks to find ways to repurpose items that are shipped in their operations. To date, the initiative includes investigating how to turn PP bags into backpacks and reusing packaging from family tents and kitchen sets to create cradles for children and solar cookers.
Examples from refugee camps in which polywoven bags were repurposed to grow plants.

Percentage of people re-using repurposing packaging for income generation or other use, preventing possible environmental damage.

Prevention of environmental damage

Mitigation of environmental damage

Consultation time, identifying local counterpart for recycling options