10 Must-Try Sustainable Packaging Concepts

Sustainable packaging is a major topic of discussion these days as it keeps up with the rise of eco-friendliness in a modern world we live in.

In this article, you will be revealed to 10 out-of-the-box sustainable product packaging ideas that are producing disruptions in the industry.

Besides moving away from traditional forms, packaging boxes offer a non-harmful and sustainable solution, avoiding material depletion and providing a viable option for the packaging industry at large.

The packaging industry has suffered a lot due to the pollution of the environment by its notable mean.

Yet, nowadays it has a new face in comparison with our previous decade thanks to the innovative technologies and the profound changes that are taking place in the industry to conserve nature.

It has to be said that as the customers are getting aware of the negative repercussions of their obedient consumption, the approach of the businesses will change accordingly to sustain the environment, rather than going against it.

It is true that non-pollutant and positive image brands save the environment and future profits. However, one must acknowledge that there are also costs reduction in the long run.

Hence, without much ado, here are 10 latest sustainable packaging practices that are reshaping the current industry trends.

1. Biodegradable Packaging

Biodegradable packaging is meant to be broken down naturally in the environment which is credited for reducing long-term pollution.

Packaging is also made from cornstarch, mushroom roots, and seaweed, which degrade in around less than a year unlike plastic that its life span is close to 450 years.

R&D of biodegradable packaging has given in almost 75% less waste accumulation in land fills than the former type of plastic packaging of just two, three years ago.

This remarkable change on the scale of unloading waste leads to biodegradable packaging as a solution to both environmental and economically-minded clients everywhere.

2. Reusable Packaging Systems

Reusable packaging systems refer to the generation of packages that can be used multiple times even before the materials are recycled or disposed of, which positively impacts the environment because of less depletion and lesser pollution.

This principle, however, requires the participation of different sectors in the country and forces fields to accept and apply the zero-waste paradigm.

It is known that reusable packaging systems have helped to minimize the contamination of the waste lands from more than 60 to approximately 30% of the material that was originally discarded.

Moreover, it elevates the green movement, which, of course, has a positive influence on the consumer who feels and enjoys the green approach through the use of cardboard boxes for packaging.

3. Plant able Packaging

Plant able biodegradable materials have oleaginous plant seeds embedded on them. After use, these plant able materials can be grown into plants or flowers by embedding them in the soil.

Green manufacturing is not only reducing pollution but also rejuvenating the environment by the development of the technology for the production of plant able packaging. In my market survey,

I came across plant able packaging practices that are much favoured on the market, particularly in the cosmetics and specialty food industries.

4. Edible Packaging

Edible packaging is an emerging trend that promises the elimination of contaminants while making the packaging consumable as well.

Fauna makes this material biodegradable using carbohydrates and simple sugars (polymers), fats, and proteins whereas flora with carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion into eatable cellulose by photosynthesis technique.

Due to the fact that these are the initial stages of the product, I have also seen it happening with some limitations.

It is, however, a very unique solution to single-use plastic waste with food products that maybe have short shelf life such as confectionery and other similar products.

5. Minimalist Packaging

Minimalism, the concept of using less material with the same protection, allows for sustainable business practices as well as positive environmental results. The green label is low-grade environmental protection.

Throughout their brandings, companies are saving on material use up to 30%. Besides this, it is a win-win situation with the environment and clients as it sometimes results in lowered fees for businesses.

6. Compostable Packaging

The whole package reaches the level of zero waste when compostable packaging is utilized.

Plant-based plastics, which are a collection of plant-based and organic fibers along with wood, as well as paper, are the kinds of materials used to make organic packaging, including paper packaging. Compostable packaging has a very long impact on life on earth.

Compostable packaging, such as paper packaging, is recognized as the key factor that can help reduce the emission of the greenhouse gases associated with the waste disposal process at large.

Owing to the magnitude of the environmental benefits derived from this, it is an ideal candidate for one who desires to reduce their carbon footprint.

7. Recycled Ocean Plastic Packaging

Recycled ocean plastic packaging is an idea that circulates the used plastic waste found in the ocean and other water bodies and reverts them into the fresh other plastic materials.

One of the materials that expedite the reduction in plastic is that which is collected from the open water/resources available.

Through my own involvement with companies that have adopted this approach,

I have witnessed that this technology can be used to drastically reduce the sign of using virgin plastic by up to 80% during the production of the packaging.

This idea is very effective because it addresses the concerns of the end-consumers and their worry about water pollution in a powerful way.

8. Smart Packaging

Smart packaging includes the use of technology to innovate the packaging to make it self-sufficient and eco-friendly.

One of those techniques was suggested to be assembling a few) tiny pieces of nylon that form smart fabric with great per-drape and mechanical properties.

One of the many conclusions that I have reached through my own research is that smart packaging has the potential to decrease the rate of food waste due to incorrect storage or expired products up to 40% by bringing in accurate data on the period of freshness and required conditions.

This technology is truly amazing in that it, first of all, addresses environmental issues, and then cite a positive experience for the consumer.

9. Packaging-Free Concepts

In essence, when stores manage to toss out plastic, there is a 90% decrease in the packaging waste going to the landfill.

As a result, the set dispensers would necessitate the customers to take the initiative of bringing in their own containers so that the store employees would only drop the food items and get the filled containers back.

If we take into consideration supermarkets and bulk food stores, where shoppers would obtain food in containers from the stores, it goes without saying that through this approach there was a considerable drop in packaging waste by up to 90%.

10. Mono-Material Packaging

Gone are the days when breaking down of packaging used to happen in the hands of many players before the emergence of a new way.

This type of package does not require the separation of different kinds of materials during the recycling process which is why the chances of proper recycling are very high.

Mono-material packaging has been found to improve the recycling by a whooping 60% compared to the usual multi-material packaging.

Thus, a superior recyclability characteristic is manifested in mono-material packaging and this in turn appeals to its target businesses.

Conclusion

Considering the cabling of the society towards this trend, there is a dire need for the industries to willingly embrace this path of sustainability.

Such inventions that have gained popularity within the packaging industry and come of sustainability are the last to be mentioned in the below list and pertain to the top opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures in the packaging industry.

An example of a sector where the environmental benefit of not doing anything are the building material that is opened to his own magic at that.

In the time I have worked in this arena, I have seen how environmentally friendly packaging concepts, aside from the distance between customers and brands, can be used as a great tool for brands to show their commitments to the growth of the environment on the one hand and to get financial rewards on the other.

Waste reduction, the need for less resources, and the attraction of environmentally aware customers are the benefits of these packages.

People, however, have to be ready to take such measures and appreciate these materials before rigid rules come into force.

It is important to note that patience and discovery are key to achieving the goal of being a sustainable planet without pollution.

There is certainly still a long way to go in the quest for 100% the usage of sustainable packaging materials, yet these items are sharply pointing in the right direction.