Brands should take responsibility for their packaging

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Packaging is an essential part of any product, especially in food and beverage sector. It protects the product from damage, contamination, and spoilage, and it also communicates the brand’s identity, values, and message to the consumers. However, packaging also has a huge environmental impact, as it contributes to waste generation, resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. A global trial conducted by Consumer NZ found that New Zealand was the second-worst country for packaging recyclability out of nine countries. Only 43% of the packaging they assessed was recyclable in practice, compared to 71% in Germany and 67% in Australia. This shows that there is still a lot of room for improvement and innovation in this field.

As consumers become more aware and concerned about the environmental consequences of their choices, they demand more sustainable packaging solutions from the brands they buy from. And, brands should accept the responsibility and moral duty to minimise the environmental impact of their packaging and to innovate new ways to make their packaging more sustainable.

Smoothery has been committed to sustainability from day one, and has designed its packaging with the planet in mind. We had a desire, not a necessity, to do something different. We were not concerned about the appearance or the cost, but about our own values – being part of the movement that chooses something better and gentler on our environment. Here are some of the features that make our packaging stands out_‍

Biodegradable: Our pouches are made with PLA (Polylactic acid) material, which is derived from renewable plant sources such as corn starch or sugar cane. PLA is biodegradable and compostable under certain conditions, which means it can break down into natural substances without leaving any harmful residues. When you are done with the contents inside, you can simply cut up the packaging and bury it in a garden bin - it will feed the worms.

Reduced: Our packaging is designed to reduce the amount of non-renewable material used and wasted. The packaging is pre-portioned according to the smoothie recipes, so there is no excess or leftover ingredients that need to be stored or disposed of. The packaging is also lightweight and compact, which reduces the space and fuel required for transportation.‍

Reusable: Our pouches can also be reused for other purposes before composting. For example, you can use the packaging as a plant pot, wrapping up herbs, a craft material, or anything else you can think of. Reusing packaging extends its lifespan and reduces its environmental impact.

We think sustainability and convenience can go hand in hand. By choosing Smoothery, you are not only getting a delicious and nutritious smoothie blends delivered to your door, but also supporting a brand that cares about the environment and takes responsibility for its packaging. We believe that packaging should not be a burden or a guilt-trip for consumers, but rather a solution that is gentler on the planet.

At Smoothery, we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our sustainable standards in all parts of our business. As consumers of other brands, we play a key role in making informed choices when buying products, reducing our consumption of single-use or disposable packaging items, reusing or repurposing packaging materials whenever possible, and supporting brands that are committed to sustainability.

Have you ever seen a monk fruit? If your answer is 'No', you’re not alone!

Monk fruit has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and it has gained wild popularity in the modern food world as a zero-calorie "natural" sweetener.

But is what you see on the shelves really as pure as the labels claim?

Let’s dive into the details of monk fruit sweeteners and uncover what’s really inside.

Brands should take responsibility for their packaging

Monk Fruit and its history

Monk fruit, also known as Luo Han Guo, is a small green melon native to China.

Its sweetness comes from mogrosides, compounds that are 100 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

This makes monk fruit an attractive option for those looking to reduce sugar intake without sacrificing sweetness​.

Historically, the Chinese have used monk fruit to sweeten teas and tonics, making it a natural sweetener with a long-standing cultural presence .
Brands should take responsibility for their packaging

What you need to know

Purity of Monk Fruit Extracts

If you’ve ever purchased a monk fruit sweetener, you might assume you’re getting a natural, unprocessed product.

However, the truth is a little more complex. Extracting pure mogrosides—particularly mogroside V, which is the sweetest.

Mogrosides make up only a small fraction (about 0.5%–1.4%) of the fruit, which means that producing a small amount of extract requires processing a large volume of fruit​.

Given this, most monk fruit sweeteners on the market simply cannot be pure extracts. Instead, they’re often mixed with fillers such as erythritol or maltodextrin to bulk up the product, making it easier to use as a sugar substitute.

This blend is still marketed as “monk fruit extract”, but the truth is that pure mogroside extract is rare, and most commercial products are far from pure!
Price of Monk Fruit Sweetener

The price of monk fruit sweeteners can vary significantly, and this is largely due to differences in purity and formulation.

Some products contain a higher concentration of mogrosides, which increases the price because extracting these compounds is both labour and fruit-intensive. On the other hand, cheaper versions often contain more fillers, which reduce the overall cost.

Another reason for the price disparity is the lack of standardisation in the industry. There is no clear regulation or standard for how much mogroside needs to be in a product for it to be labeled as “monk fruit extract.” As a result, consumers can easily be misled into thinking they’re consuming pure monk fruit when, in fact, the product contains more filler than fruit​.
What labels don’t tell

The labels on monk fruit sweeteners often claim they’re "natural" or "pure," but many fail to disclose the additional ingredients used to bulk up the product. These may include erythritol, glycerine, or other sweeteners, and they often remain undisclosed due to lax labeling regulations.

The commercial names "monk fruit extract" or "stevia extract" are often used to conceal these additives behind what sounds like a natural product.

So, while monk fruit extract itself is natural, the highly processed version you’re likely consuming is far from what traditional Chinese cultures once enjoyed.

The ultra-processing of monk fruit for mass production strips away most of the fruit’s natural components too.
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