how packaging contributes to food waste prevention unpackaged goods seen to have greater environmental footprint study by austrian thinktank denkstatt and industry partnerspackaged fresh goods have a smaller environmental footprint than unpackaged food products &ndash even if the packaging is not recycled photo pactivabout 30 of the average european&rsquos carbon footprint is linked to the production and distribution of foodstuffs and nutrition in general. however, many food products spoil without appropriate protection and end up as waste.