Why Meal Kits Aren’t as Bad for the Environment as You Think

Subscription meal kits like Blue Apron and HelloFresh, which deliver portioned ingredients and recipes for making meals, were once touted as the future of food. But so far, they haven't lived up to that hype: In recent years, many top brands have had financial problems and disappointing sign-up rates.

While many customers balk at the cost, others avoid meal kits because of the perceived environmental impact of all that extra packaging.

Subscription meal kits like Blue Apron and HelloFresh, which deliver portioned ingredients and recipes for making meals, were once touted as the future of food. But so far, they haven't lived up to that hype: In recent years, many top brands have had financial problems and disappointing sign-up rates. While many customers balk at the cost, others avoid meal kits because of the perceived environmental impact of all that extra packaging.