8 Smart Sustainable Packaging Trends You Need To Try

These days, you can see more and more businesses espousing that they care for the environment. However, consumers would like to see sustainability in action. And one way you can showcase your love for the environment is through your packaging.

Luckily, there is now a plethora of sustainable packaging options that you can use. And here are some examples that may be suitable for your business:

1. Recycled materials

When looking for sustainable packaging materials, you might want to look for recycled materials. Using recycled materials to make your packaging ensures that you don’t need new materials to create. That means no new resources were needed and used to give you the packaging that you need for your business.

Nonetheless, it is best to ensure that you are using recyclable packaging materials if you need to manufacture a new set of packaging. That way, your packaging will not end up in the landfill.

In addition, you should keep on encouraging your customers to recycle their packaging.

2. Biodegradable packaging

Biodegradable packaging ensures that your packaging doesn’t clog up the environment.

“Biodegradable” means that the materials will eventually break down and return to earth without causing any harm. Even if you can’t control what your consumer will do with the packaging afterward, at least you are not creating an additional carbon footprint.

If you want to take it a step further, you should get compostable packaging. Compostable packaging can degrade over time, returning to the earth without producing harsh chemicals.

Compostable packaging requires certain conditions, though, to be able to get these nutrients out. Thus, they’re best sent to compost piles instead of landfills after use.

3. Corrugated bubble wrap

If you want sustainable packaging, you want to reduce the amount of plastic in your packaging as much as possible. That also means cutting back on the bubble wrap that you have inside your packaging. However, if you have delicate products that need that bubble wrap, you can always use a greener alternative.

Corrugated bubble wraps are an excellent alternative to the traditional bubble wrap made of plastic. Corrugated bubble wraps are made from corrugated cardboard, which is often a recycled material.

It can provide cushioning for your products so they can protect your items as they head over to your customers.

4. Pod

Many products, specifically personal and home care products, use plastic bottles to hold the product. That’s because it won’t break as quickly, but as we all know, plastic isn’t biodegradable. Therefore, if you want to use more sustainable packaging, it’s time to look for alternatives to plastic bottles.

One innovative way to change your packaging is by using a pod pouch that stores these liquid items. Pop the pod, and you get the product, leaving behind zero plastic containers. Why not experiment with pod packaging if you’re selling liquid items, such as cleaning solutions or personal care products? It’s nifty and unique but also sustainable.

5. Plant-based

When looking for sustainable packaging materials, you can opt for plant-based packaging. We are talking about plants manufactured are take-out cups, plates, and cutleries.

What’s incredible about plant-based packaging is that they are compostable. Once you are done with your food, you can clean and dry your cutlery before tearing and adding it to your compost bin.

And often, these are made of residual plant parts (i.e., banana peel). Hence, you are closing the loop and encouraging a circular economy.

6. Bioplastics

Many businesses can’t cut out plastic from their packaging because of the other benefits that come with it.

For example, it’s great for keeping liquids contained, and it’s not delicate in that it will break or shatter. However, there are no such things as bioplastics that are changing the game for plastic packaging alternatives.

Bioplastics behave similarly to plastic and can be used for packaging. But they’re made from many biodegradable materials, commonly sugarcane or cassava.

Although bioplastics should be biodegradable, some manufacturers might find a way to bypass that. So, do your research first before using bioplastics that might not be as eco-friendly as you think.

7. Inflated air pillows

Air pillows help protect products from harm and damage. That way, you don’t get any customer complaints about the state of your products. Mind you, customers tend to point damage to their product, even if it’s not your fault.

However, like bubble wrap, they’re often made from plastic materials. Luckily, like bubble wrap, there are sustainable alternatives to it.

There are biodegradable inflated air pillows available in the market that you could use as packaging solutions. Your products get the protection they need without you feeling guilty about your environmental impact.

8. Papers and cardboard

If you want the simplest and easiest packaging solution that is sustainable, you can’t go wrong with using paper and cardboard materials.

Many of the most eco-friendly boxes used in packaging today are made from paper and cardboard for that reason. Using paper and cardboard together makes for a great container and padding for your packaging.

What’s more, is that paper and cardboard are also easy to customize. You can print any image that you want on the cardboard box to incorporate your branding. Plus, you can add paper padding inside the box in any color to match your brand colors easily.

Another reason paper and cardboard are excellent packaging materials is that there are plenty of paper packaging suppliers. There are plenty of suppliers who offer supply of these in large quantities.

Of course, the items are also recyclable. Thus, consumers will quickly get rid of these packaging materials in a sustainable manner once it comes their way.

Conclusion

These sustainable packaging trends are great alternatives for conventional packaging solutions. It is a win-win solution for your business, customers, and the environment.

For one, it ensures the quality of your product. It also sends a message to your consumers that you care for the environment. Second, you make it easy for people to do their part in saving the plant.

So, do not hesitate to make that change for your business packaging needs now.