Over the past five years, the use of sustainable packaging has picked up in consumer-packaged goods. As a packaging design firm, we often hear the following requests and questions:
“We want something that is sustainable.”
“How do we make our current packaging more sustainable?”
“What are your sustainability capabilities?”
As this trend keeps growing, more companies are interested in the idea of sustainable packaging. However, many companies know about this term, but there are many questions that need to be asked.
Knowing the intricacies of sustainable packaging will ultimately determine whether it’s the best option for their business. Keep reading to learn about sustainable packaging, including material options.
First, What is Sustainability?
Before getting into sustainable packaging, we need to understand sustainability.
Simply put, sustainability is everything we need for our survival and well-being, whether directly or indirectly, in our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
It is not a new concept! Indigenous peoples have practiced living sustainably for many years by being aware of the natural environment, its limits, and replenishing what has been harvested.
Although sustainability is linked to environmental conservation, its focus is not just on the environment today. Sustainability is now based on three pillars.
Environmental Sustainability
Humanity’s consumption is not more than nature’s replenishment. When humanity’s rate of pollution and greenhouse gasses is not more than nature’s replenishment, it is also less than nature’s replenishment.
Social Sustainability
The ability of a society to uphold universal human rights and meet people’s basic needs, such as healthcare, education, and transportation. Healthy communities ensure personal, labor, and cultural rights are respected and all people are protected from discrimination.
Economic Sustainability
Is the ability of communities around the world to maintain their independence and have access to the resources required to meet their needs and create a healthy livelihood.
“OK great! Now how does the above information have anything to do with sustainable packaging?”
What is Sustainable Packaging?
Sustainable packaging refers to the materials and practices used to protect, store, and ship a product that reduces its environmental impact and minimizes its ecological footprint.
Of the three sustainability pillars mentioned above, sustainable packaging falls under the environmental pillar with requirements, and is used to reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.
Why is Sustainable Packaging Important?
There’s a reason that more companies are using sustainable packaging practices.
As we continue to fight against climate change, sustainable packaging is a way for companies to reduce excessive waste from packaging that may be contributing to global warming.
The production and disposal of standard packaging and materials like plastic or styrofoam create a lot of greenhouse gases, polluting the earth and atmosphere.
Companies that opt to use sustainable packaging materials can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and microplastic in our soil and water resources. The use of recyclable or compostable materials can reduce landfill sites and improve environments and local communities worldwide.
Companies using sustainable packaging to show their beliefs to help the environment can also make customers loyal to brands that care about the environment. This can help them stay loyal to these brands.
Millennials, in particular, are eco-conscious buyers and often buy from brands that are conscious and supportive of protecting the environment. In fact, nearly 60% of millennial consumers report they intentionally buy products with eco-friendly packaging.
Sustainable packaging material options
Companies that want to reduce their impact on the environment through sustainable packaging are faced with the important decision of which materials to choose from.
If you’re looking for alternatives to plastic or styrofoam materials, here are some of the best options for sustainable materials used in packaging.
| Packaging Material | Description |
| Compostable packaging | Made from several natural materials, including materials like sugar cane, corn starch, potato starch, and wood pulp. |
| Recyclable packaging | Includes reusable materials such as paper, glass, metal, and cardboard. These materials can be recycled post-consumer to be processed and manufactured into new products. |
| Cellulose | A plant-based material that is both compostable and recyclable. Cotton linters or wood pulp produces either cellulose-based plastic (also called cellulose acetate), and is a great alternative to plastic film packaging. |
| Corrugated cardboard | Made from cellulose fibers – virgin or recycled from used corrugated cardboard or other materials. |
| Mushroom packaging | Material derived from mushrooms and organic plant waste. |
| Cornstarch | An excellent material for multiple sustainable packaging needs and can replace plastic, which is also cost-effective. |
| Green Cell Form | A compostable, drain-safe plant-based material that is an alternative to traditional foams like polyethylene and polystyrene. This material dissolves in water, and can be safely burned, emitting no harmful substances. |
One factor that companies should weigh when determining which materials to choose for product packaging is cost. Many of the materials range in cost.
For instance, plant-based materials like cornstarch and mushrooms are typically less expensive than biodegradable materials like cellulose.
Compared to non-sustainable materials, sustainable packaging is typically more expensive upfront because the materials are designed to last longer. However, the reusable nature means the packaging can be used multiple times, which can reduce long-term costs.
Is the use of post-consumer material more sustainable?
Recycling post-consumer waste helps conserve natural resources. By reusing materials such as paper, glass, plastic, and metals, there is reduced demand for raw materials.
Is Bio-Degradable material the same as Compostable?
Biodegradable materials break down and decompose in the environment over time. On the other hand, compostable materials refer to organic matter that breaks down to become a pile of nutrient-rich soil under the right conditions.
Another way to put it – compostable products are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable products are compostable.
What is Greenwashing? How companies can avoid it.
Greenwashing is the practice of providing a false impression that makes a business seem more environmentally friendly than it is.
Unfortunately, greenwashing is a tactic used by companies to appeal more to environmentally conscious buyers. However, the use of greenwashing can be detrimental to a brand’s reputation, causing a loss in trust from consumers and even lawsuits.
To avoid inadvertent greenwashing, companies should avoid using fabricated claims or data, imagery that could be perceived as misleading, and words or terms with no clear meaning (e.g., “eco-friendly” or “natural”). Be honest and upfront about your brand’s sustainability.
Sustainable Packaging is More Than a Fleeting Trend
Sustainable packaging is becoming a higher priority for both brands and consumers – more now than ever before.
The use of sustainable packaging reduces negative impact on the environment, while boosting brand loyalty among eco-friendly consumers.
This is a packaging trend that will only continue to grow moving forward, as companies continue to prioritize corporate responsibility with long-term sustainability.
Are you ready to make your packaging sustainable? At Motiv, we have worked with several brands across many industries to create sustainable packaging for their products.
Let’s get the conversation started.
