Sustainability Implications of Changes in Types and Variability of Yoghurt Packaging Solutions over a Decade

Packaging configurations have variable environmental impacts, making it essential to assess changes over time, particularly for high-impact food categories such as dairy. This study examined yoghurt packaging in Australia between 2013 and 2023, focusing on sustainability implications. Analyses of products from major retailers (n = 315 in 2013; n = 454 in 2023) assessed (i) the number and type of packaging configurations, (ii) prevalence of serving and pack sizes, and (iii) packaging features affecting food waste. Packaging types were classified by container and film composition. The number of configuration categories increased from 16 to 19, reflecting greater diversity in packaging solutions. Nearly half of single-serve products in both years featured resealable packaging, despite being intended for one-time consumption, suggesting potential over-packaging. The rise in pouch packaging raises concerns about reduced emptiability, which may contribute to increased food waste. These findings demonstrate how packaging changes over the decade have introduced sustainability trade-offs. Monitoring such changes can inform strategies to reduce waste and improve the environmental performance of packaging solutions for environmentally intensive products, such as yoghurts.