As environmental consciousness has moved from a niche concern to a mainstream movement, personal values have become increasingly important in consumer decisions. With this shift, many brands have embarked on the journey to transition to sustainable products to meet new demands and redefine what it means to be successful in an evolving marketplace.
Sustainable packaging is a complex subject, and brands are paying attention. In this blog post, we’ll unwrap the layers of sustainable packaging and provide a selection of the most innovative packaging solutions on the market today.
Worldwide, containers and packaging make up a significant amount of municipal solid waste. In 2018 alone, the U.S. produced 292.4 million tons of trash. That same year, packaging made up 82.2 million tons—28.1 percent—of total generation.
Waste that ends up in landfills impacts the environment and local communities. Toxic chemicals are released that suffocate the natural ecosystems and impede the health of local citizens.
The impact of waste isn’t news to consumers. As they make changes to their buying habits by demanding sustainable products, research shows that those based in the U.S. are willing to pay for products that contribute to sustainability. In fact, younger generations of U.S. consumers, such as Gen Zers and millennials, rate environmental considerations as important buying factors.
Research from Market Research Future anticipates that the sustainable packaging market will increase from $371.4 billion in 2022 to $737.6 billion in 2030. According to the same report, the main factors boosting this market include:
Although each of the following sustainable packaging options provides solutions to specific markets, products, and problems, it’s important to keep in mind that none are superior, and each has a set of pros and cons.
A standard in protecting shipped items, styrofoam has been banned in some of the largest U.S. cities because the material isn’t biodegradable or recyclable. Biodegradable air peanuts have become the alternative, providing the same function without polluting the environment.
Similarly, biodegradable plastic is a growing alternative solution. Currently, the more popular bioplastics are cornstarch-based plastics and microbial polyesters, and some big name brands have taken notice.
Cardboard boxes, which are an industry standard in packaging, are known to have lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to other materials, specifically plastic. Plus, when made from organic materials, cardboard, filler paper, and corrugated bubble wrap are biodegradable.
That being said, the biodegradation process isn’t without its carbon footprint. When cardboard is placed in a landfill, the material breakdown emits methane gas, which impacts the environment significantly more than carbon dioxide.
To have as much positive impact as possible, source post-consumer or post-industrial recycled paper and cardboard.
Organic material packaging is made from natural, plant-based materials that are derived from organic waste and renewable resources. Some of the most used organic material packaging options are:
Global production of new plastic is nearly 400 million metric tons per year. In addition to the massive amount of CO2 emitted from plastic production, the life span of plastic products averages around 10 years; some plastics take up to 500 years to decompose.
Many companies have made commitments to use recycled plastics for two main reasons:
As brands react to consumer buying behaviors and organizations respond to regulatory changes, sustainability has quickly become a key focus.
At AeroFlexx, we have taken the best of rigid and flexible packaging to create a new, superior sustainable packaging option. Our process for developing the AeroFlexx Pak accomplishes:
Let’s talk about how we can help accelerate your sustainability goals.