Eco-friendly alternatives to Plastic Packaging for Books

Imagine this; you publish a new book. It's beautiful, it's sustainable: made of recycled paper with eco-ink and more. You sit down happily, thinking your passion has a small ecological footprint. It has completely slipped your mind that you wrapped it in plastic bubble wrap, which your consumer has probably already thrown in the trash.

And then you hear that an animal died because it ingested plastic. Now you are thinking about that bubble wrap.

And then you learn that India alone produces 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste in a year, of which only 30% is recycled.

You are now at a loss- how can you package stuff which does not end up in landfills, slowly destroying the environment?

It might not seem like much when we say packaging makes up around 10% of the product. Yet, when we look at the number of books produced and packaged every year, we can see that the publishing industry has the potential to contribute to plastic pollution significantly.

As a sustainable publisher or eco-friendly author, you cannot ignore this aspect of the book production process.

What is Eco-Friendly Packaging?

Eco-friendly packaging is any packaging that causes less harm to people and the planet than the alternatives. One way to do so is to have a circular economy, which can include a take-back program. Other methods include glass packaging or reusable packaging. There can be several aims with eco-friendly packaging. These include limiting plastic pollution, reducing waste, and reducing plastic ingestion by animals.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic Packaging

Growing Demand for Sustainability

Consumer awareness about sustainability is rising. Their demand for eco-friendly products is also on the rise. In India alone, 50% of consumers have indicated that they would pay a premium for sustainable products. In this case, if you do not go green, you run the risk of being left behind. Eco-friendly packaging shows your brand's commitment to sustainability.

Plastic Pollution

Pollution is a human health concern. Plastic pollution is the pollution created when we dump plastic, a non-biodegradable product. This plastic ends up in our soil and oceans, from which it returns to our plates as food. Plastic has been found in human blood, and the effects of that are unknown.

Harm to animals

Animals have been known to eat discarded plastic and fall sick or even die. One way to avoid this is to reduce the amount of plastic we discard, which means less plastic in packaging, especially non-reusable ones.

Thus, you can see it is necessary to ditch plastic. Yet it is not easy. Books must be packaged well so that they arrive at a reader's house without damage. From rain and other environmental factors to rough handling, there are a lot of hurdles that only good packaging can overcome.

Does this mean we are stuck with plastic bubble wrap? No.

Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to new plastic packaging.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic Packaging for Books

-Reused plastic

While most sustainable consumers prefer plastic-free packaging, sometimes it's unavoidable. You can ensure this plastic stays out of landfills by reusing it. Yet, there are better solutions than this, as plastic will release microplastics with use.

-Use Paper or Cardboard Packaging Made of Recycled Materials

Paper packaging is biodegradable and does not release microplastic with each use. However, paper production contributes to deforestation and monoculture farming. It also releases methane when it breaks down in landfills. Sustainably sourced paper packaging is a good option. So is paper and cardboard packaging made out of recycled materials. Yet, the paper will need reinforcement during bad weather to ensure the book reaches safely. You can also use FSC-certified tissue paper. It's cute and eco-friendly.

-Use Honeycomb Paper

This can be an eco-friendly alternative to plastic and bubble wrap with great shock absorption due to its hexagonal shapes. Since paper production has its own issues, such as deforestation, it is better to reuse the honeycomb paper you get as a part of your shopping.

-Reuse paper and cardboard packaging

Another sustainable packaging option is to reuse paper and cardboard packaging that you receive products in. Up-cycled corrugated cardboard can be an alternative to plastic bubble wrap. GiftGreen India is famous for using it in their packaging. Rather than disposing of post-consumer cardboard waste, the material is used as a cushioning agent. Small cuts are made to produce a concertina-type effect that protects against shocks in a manner similar to bubble wrap. You might miss popping the bubbles, though!

Just paper packaging will need reinforcement during bad weather. It will also need some creativity to make it brand appropriate. You also have to look at the legalities of reusing some branded boxes. Reusing packaging can be a great way to show your brand's commitment to sustainable packaging. Using this packaging also reduces materials going to landfills.

-Use Cloth Packaging

Cloth packaging includes scarves or upcycled pieces of cloth that would other get thrown away. You can also use eco-textiles like hemp and linen. Using scrap clothing, however, has the extra benefit of reducing materials going to landfills. It also shows your brand's commitment to eco-friendly packaging. Plus, it can look super cute and aesthetic. Who doesn't love that?

-Use Bio-Plastic

If you have to use plastic and cannot source second-hand or even recycled plastic, bioplastic might be an option for you. It can be made of materials like cornstarch or sugarcane, but they can compete with human food supplies. Bioplastics can also be microbial polyesters or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Many firms are now introducing these in their packaging. Yet, some say it can be expensive and might not be available to small publishing houses just starting out.

-Use Recycled Plastic

We have already mentioned this and how only 30% of plastic waste is recycled in India. Plus, plastic can only be recycled two to three times before it ends up in landfills. Yet, recycled plastic packaging options are available in some places, especially recycled mailers. They can be sustainable. Their lifecycle increases the more they are reused, just like regular plastic. Some, however, say that recycled plastic can be an expensive packaging option for certain businesses.

A Parting Note

Reusing and recycling packaging is a great way to be sustainable for a company. Another way to be sustainable is to have a circular system that includes take-back programs for second-hand books. Biodegradable packaging peanuts and air pillows can replace styrofoam, if at all necessary. Newer options such as cornstarch packaging, seaweed packaging, and mushroom packaging are also coming up. Compostable mailers are becoming popular as well, especially for packing books.

Yet, sometimes plastic is the only option, and we understand that. In this case, the best bet is to reuse plastic packaging that has come with your cart and add a note asking the consumer to reuse it instead of throwing it away.

Are you a publisher trying to go green and ethical? We at Muses_Saga have the resources for you.

Is there a packaging option that we missed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Beta Reader- Anuraag Chatterjee