Why should sustainable packaging be commonly used in the healthcare sector?
“Health is wealth” goes the famous adage.
However, it could be argued that its reverse is also true. Wealth is also synonymous with health. Let’s reflect on this.
If a person accumulates some wealth, they would be able to afford good quality nutritious food, a balanced diet, required vitamins & supplements, adequate medical coverage, and God forbid, an exorbitantly high hospital bill too.
The Indian scenario
India is a developing nation with limited disposable income. As a result, a culture of medical insurance has taken a long time to develop. In the old days, if a person became ill and was hospitalized, the food for the patient was usually brought to the hospital by the patient’s family. It was typically packed in a regular steel tiffin. With increased disposable income and the introduction of corporate medical insurance, hospitals have begun to provide dietician-prescribed meals, at a cost.
Hospitality challenges in hospitals
Usually, the hospital meals are served in ceramic bowls/plates covered by plastic film wrap, known as cling film. This is essential since traditional Indian food is curry-based, which can spill if not covered. Along with the curry, often lentil based, there are other commonly prescribed foods being served like soup, fresh salads, a protein-rich snacks, shakes, juices, fruits, etc. There is a vast demand to serve fresh meals on regular basis. Consider a large hospital in say Delhi or Bangalore with 1000 patient beds. Daily, the hospital must provide three meals per day, as well as morning and evening tea to the patients.
When meals are served in ceramic or glass utensils, the hospital catering management team faces a herculean task. In addition to preparing dietician recommended meals, the plates, bowls, cups & the cutlery must be washed, dried, and sanitized before being reused for the next meal. It would be unhygienic and potentially dangerous for the patients if the utensils were not properly washed. This task requires manpower and the use of fresh water on the commercial bill, driers, and dish cleaning detergents, making this chore not only time-consuming but also costly. If I were a patient in today’s Covid world, I would prefer sustainable food options over washed utensils, to avoid the slightest chance of contracting an infection.
Oko food packaging can bring the unwavering focus back from hospitality to hospital
For example, here is where Oko food packaging like sustainable bowls from Evirocor could come in handy. These are completely biodegradable, leakproof, aesthetically pleasing, microwavable & freezable, and have excellent heat retention. Moreover, these bowls are made of Oko board, which has a hygiene advantage with minimal surface contact area. Imagine a hospital serving piping hot lentil curry to its patients in eco-friendly packaging. Oko food packaging can 3 also be customized by printed sleeves, for example some board games designs, hospital information, discount coupons, or promotional activities such as preventive health check-up plans.
The Oko bowls can also be used for serving curd pudding (commonly known as raita), soups, and other curry-based dishes. Other products from Oko range can also be utilized for serving salads, juices, and protein-rich shakes too. Oko environmentally-friendly packaging can be disposed of and composted to make the hospital green belt greener.
One small step towards sustainability
Sustainable food packaging used in hospitals can be a game-changer because it not only allows them to focus on their core competency of the medical field but also improves their reputation once they embrace biodegradable packaging solutions.