Learn more

Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Packaging

Sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging are rapidly transforming the way businesses approach the delivery and presentation of their products. With rising consumer awareness and an urgent need to reduce environmental impact, innovative materials and practices are coming to the forefront. This page explores the most effective and promising substitute solutions that minimize waste, reduce carbon footprints, and align with circular economy principles, while maintaining the safety, appeal, and functionality expected from modern packaging.

Learn more

Plant-Based Packaging Innovations

Cornstarch packaging is derived from the abundant corn crop, transforming it into bioplastics used for everything from loose-fill foam to rigid containers. These materials are biodegradable in industrial composting facilities, offering a significant reduction in conventional plastic waste. The flexibility and versatility of cornstarch allow it to replace petroleum-based plastics in various applications, from shipping boxes to food packaging. Businesses can benefit from reduced landfill impact and the positive branding associated with using agricultural waste products.
Learn more

Compostable and Biodegradable Materials

PLA is a bio-based plastic derived mainly from fermented plant starch, such as corn or sugarcane. It is popular in applications like food service ware, clear film wrap, and takeaway containers, as it looks and feels similar to petroleum plastics. When sent to industrial composting facilities, PLA decomposes efficiently and leaves behind no harmful residues. Its widespread adoption helps cut down on fossil fuel dependence and supports the growth of a more circular, plant-powered economy.
Learn more
Previous
Next

Upcycled and Recycled Content Packaging

Recycled Paper and Cardboard

Cardboard and paper can be collected, pulped, and remanufactured into fresh packaging materials. Advances in recycling technology have improved the strength and print quality of recycled paper, making it suitable even for high-end branding. Recycled fiber content also supports chain-of-custody certifications, increasing transparency and consumer trust. By specifying high post-consumer content, companies can dramatically cut their environmental impact while showing a visible commitment to responsible sourcing.

Recycled Plastics

Recycled plastics are essential in applications where food safety and durability are critical. Closed-loop recycling systems transform beverage bottles, shrink wrap, or industrial films into new containers, trays, or packaging components. Innovations in sorting and decontamination have removed many of the historical hurdles regarding recycled plastics. Choosing recycled content reduces the demand for virgin materials and sends a powerful economic signal to expand global recycling infrastructure.

Upcycled Material Packaging

Upcycling turns industrial byproducts or post-consumer waste—such as ocean-bound plastics, denim scraps, or agricultural residue—into innovative packaging forms. These solutions help solve two sustainability challenges at once: reducing waste streams while providing functional, attractive packaging. Upcycled packaging consistently attracts positive consumer attention and enables brands to tell compelling stories about resourcefulness, creativity, and environmental stewardship.
Learn more

Edible Packaging Solutions

Seaweed’s natural binding agents and abundant growth make it an outstanding raw material for edible films and wraps. These films can encase dry goods, snacks, or even individual ingredients, dissolving and adding nutritional value for the consumer. Seaweed-based packaging does not interfere with composting or recycling streams and showcases a commitment to marine resource conservation. Companies using these films gain early-mover credibility in both sustainability and food tech innovation.
Learn more
Lightweighing and Downsizing
Lightweighing replaces traditional packaging with thinner, stronger, or fewer materials, shrinking the package’s physical and environmental footprint. Modern design and simulation tools help engineers maintain structural performance while minimizing resource use. For retailers and consumers, lighter packaging means lower shipping costs, less fuel use, and more efficient stocking, contributing to eco-friendly business practices all along the supply chain.
Concentrated Product Formulas
Concentrated products reduce the amount and size of packaging required per dose or use. From drink mixes to household cleaners, formulas are adjusted to remove excess water, with the consumer adding it back at the point of use. This results in smaller, lighter packages that are easier to transport, display, and recycle, directly supporting waste reduction efforts and reinforcing convenient, sustainable consumption patterns.
Eliminating Outer Packaging
Many products—particularly those already robust or individually wrapped—can be shipped or displayed without unnecessary secondary packaging. Eliminating items like extra boxes, plastic wraps, or inserts is an immediate way to cut waste, lower raw material use, and simplify consumer recycling tasks. This "naked packaging" approach works especially well for premium items or brands looking to convey transparency and environmental responsibility.
Previous slide
Next slide

Smart and Innovative Packaging Technologies

01

Active Packaging for Shelf Life Extension

Active packaging incorporates elements like oxygen absorbers, moisture regulators, or antimicrobial agents to interact directly with packaged goods, protecting freshness and safety without adding extra layers. By slowing spoilage, active packaging reduces the need for additional preservation materials and minimizes food waste—a dual win for sustainability and consumer health.
02

Connected Packaging and QR Codes

Connected packaging, enabled by smart labels, QR codes, or RFID chips, delivers essential recycling or return information to consumers while enabling brand engagement. Shoppers can scan a code to access clear disposal instructions, package origin data, or loyalty rewards tied to proper environmental action. These real-time, interactive systems strengthen compliance with recycling guidelines, help brands track impact, and reinforce eco-friendly values.
03

Monomaterial Designs for Recycling

Packaging often contains mixed plastics or composites that frustrate recycling efforts. Monomaterial packaging uses a single, easily sorted material, ensuring compatibility with existing recovery systems. Advances in adhesives and closures have made monomaterial pouches, tubes, and bottles a practical reality for many products. By opting for monomaterials, companies simplify recycling streams and boost the market value of recovered materials.
Join our mailing list