The waste products of this process are carbon dioxide, water and a small amount of organic biomass. Omnidegradable bags are FDA compliant and have been independently tested to confirm their effectiveness. All that the bags need to be broken down are naturally-occurring microbes, but the rate of decomposition varies depending on the environment. In general, though, they break down much faster in industrial facilities than at-home composting piles.
But omnidegradable is different from compostable. Items that are compostable are already made of organic materials that decompose and turn into nutrient-rich soil, often over a shorter period of time. Biodegradables are items made from engineered materials with additives that will break down over time, leaving at best some organic waste and at worst microplastics and leaked toxins and chemicals. Biodegradable is a broad term, and includes some plastics, which in time do technically break down. Though it may take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to do so, and will leave behind microplastics.
The challenge then for makers of compostable or biodegradable plastics is to make a food-safe, long-lasting, and ecologically-safe material that, when it breaks down or decomposes, will not leave behind anything harmful and ideally add fresh natural materials to the environment like composting does. Because of this, finding a balance between food preservation and sustainable packing remains something to strive for yet all but impossible to achieve given the current technologies available. Though the following companies are making progress.
5 Sustainable Backpacking Meal Companies to Support
Many of the companies making the biggest leaps in using low-impact packaging materials are small businesses. In addition to using the best responsible packaging available to them, their use of local, organic, or seasonal ingredients is another way to create less waste and reduce the environmental impact of backpacker meals.
The following four companies stand out by delivering flavor-driven, nutrient rich adventure meals in packaging that can either be recycled, composted, or reused.
Fernweh Food Company
Based in Portland, Oregon, Fernweh Food Co. is a women-owned and operated enterprise that packages its line of seasonal, plant-based, and gluten free adventure meals in low-impact packaging. Meals—which include options like mushroom pot pie and Southwest Stew—are packaged in omnidegradable paper bags or reusable, food-safe cotton muslin bags.
For the bags, food is prepared by pouring hot water into the bag for immediate cooking, while with the reusable bags, the food needs to be transferred to a different receptacle like a bowl or pot. The muslin bags are machine washable, so you can reuse them for other adventure meals or other uses like shopping. Portland-area orders can also come in reusable glass jars (though be extremely careful not to let these break while in the backcountry, both for your safety and that of the local wildlife), and if you’re ordering the paper/muslin bag options, they are delivered in a compostable mailer.
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Sasquatch Fuel
Operating out of Bozeman, Montana, Sasquatch Fuel uses high-quality, preservative-free ingredients to deliver nutritious meals to avid explorers. Whipping up small-batch hearty meals like Beef Stroganoff and snacky “Yak Bars,” their meals and snacks are packaged in omni-degradable bags that will break down when exposed to natural microbes in the soil and water. At the same time, the bags are sturdy enough to hold boiling water for cooking the meal directly in the bag. Co-founder Andrew Schroeder was inspired to create Sasquatch Meals by encountering trash and left-behind meal pouches while out on backcountry adventures.
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Farm to Summit
From fine dining to backcountry meals, Farm to Summit aims to not only elevate your average backcountry meal, but to help the food system while doing it. This Durango-based company makes dehydrated meals for camping and travel "that give a damn." With their dehydration process and omni-degradable packaging, it allows them to create a preservative-free (and guilt-free) meal. From Thai Red Curry or Green Chili Mac and Cheese, Farm to Summit proves that you don't have to sacrifice flavor for health and sustainability. Even on the side of a mountain, or at a local campground.
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Backcountry Wok
For something different than generic stews and pasta dishes, Ottawa, Canada-based Backcountry Wok offers dehydrated and plant-based meals inspired by the diverse flavors and cuisines of Asia, from Korean bibimbap to Thai green curry. The meals come in compostable bags made with a kraft paper exterior lining, interior corn lining and zipper, and corn-based label. They are heat-resistant, so you can cook the meals directly inside the bag as usual, and when done, the bags break down and decompose after about 410 days. The meals have a shelf-life of two years.
The bags are certified for home and industrial composting, so don’t just bury them in the woods. Bring the left-over bags home and bury them in your home composting pile or take them to a local composting facility. If you want to compost the bags at home, Backcountry Wok offers a how-to blog post on the subject. Additionally, a portion of profits goes to supporting outdoor education and sustainability programs for youth.
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Pinnacle Foods
For a little taste of the gourmet in the great outdoors, Pinnacle Foods offers chef-prepared meals like jalapeno cheddar biscuits & herbed sausage gravy and herb-roasted chicken & white cheddar dumplings for easy backpacking enjoyment. Based in Missoula, Montana, they cook small-batch meals that are then freeze-dried to preserve the flavors and high nutritional value. For their packaging, they use omni-degradable bags that break down wherever there are microbes present in water or soil. But until they go back to the earth and turn into biomass that encourages plant growth, the bags are shelf-stable and sturdy enough to allow the food to be cooked directly in the bag.
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It’s important to note that, even with omnidegradable or compostable backpacking meals, all used pouches and wrappers should still be packed out and properly disposed of once home.
Other Ways to Make a Difference
With so many systemic issues blocking the way of zero waste consumption, it can be easy to feel like nothing you do actually makes an impact. But even minor efforts can add up. Spending money on companies that align with your values is key, and apart from supporting the above low-impact backpacking food businesses, there are other ways you can incorporate sustainability into your outdoor meal planning, too.
One way is by buying from backpacking meal companies that only source their ingredients from sustainable food systems. Patagonia Provisions, for example, uses sustainable ingredients and utilizes regenerative organic agriculture in the sourcing of its food, and some of their packaging is recyclable or contained in BPA-free seafood cans.
And finally, the ultimate responsible way to not produce any trash or plastic waste from a backpacking trip is by preparing and packing your own food in your own reusable containers. These can be anything from reusable silicone bags to twist-top containers.
And just because you’re making and packing your own food doesn’t mean you have to forego flavor and nutrition. Website Fresh Off The Grid is one helpful place you can look to find tons of recipes and tips on how to make delicious, high-quality, and healthy meals for camping or backpacking. But there are tons of other resources available online. By taking a little extra time and energy, you can directly help contribute to less waste finding its way into nature.
Sustainable is a broad but well-intentioned term whose definition and real-world usage is growing every day. Be a part of the movement and learn more about sustainable products from our sustainability section.
