Nearly 70% of all consumers think it’s important that a brand is sustainable. They’re looking to invest in brands with eco-friendly or sustainable product packaging.
Here’s how you can elevate your brand, while also making a positive contribution to the Earth:
What is Sustainable Product Packaging?
Sustainable product packaging is any type of eco-friendly material used to deliver a product to a consumer. It is used in every step of the product development and sale process, including:
- the sourcing of materials
- the product development cycles
- the solutions that wrap, store, ship, or box products
Sustainable product packaging is considered to have a minimal impact on the environment, to leave an imperceptible footprint behind, to be earth-friendly, and to not contribute any further to the depletion of natural resources than what is absolutely necessary.
What Materials Are Considered to be Sustainable?
The list is not exhaustive, and more and more unsustainable packaging options are being discarded every day in favor of sustainable materials such as:
- bamboo or wood
- hemp, straw, or coconut fiber
- wool, cotton, or linen
- clay, stone, or sand
What is the Most Sustainable Product Packaging?
Compostable materials are amongst those increasingly popular forms of sustainable product packaging used. This means the base materials used break down and decompose, thus also providing a compostable element for future generations. In this category, corrugated cardboard and paper-based packaging are considered to be the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable product packaging solutions currently available.
Why Use Sustainable Product Packaging?
Building a completely sustainable company is daunting and may not be an option for many, but the journey starts with a single step. The easiest step to beginning to reduce your organization’s impact on the environment is by reducing your unsustainable product packaging practices.
Pros and Cons of Using Sustainable Product Packaging
There are definitely pros to going eco-friendly, such as low minimum order quantities and low barriers to entry.
The con? It comes at a slight cost increase.
7 Recommended Sustainable Product Packaging Suppliers
Looking around, you’re sure to find some easy choices in sustainable product packaging suppliers advertised online.
Here are 7 eco-friendly packaging vendors to help your organization align with your customers’ values:
Noissue.co
Custom, on-brand packaging for brands and retailers. Features a range of compostable packaging made from renewable plant-based materials and/or bio-polymers that breaks down within 90-180 days. Recycled packaging is made from previously used plastic products which have been processed and put back into circulation. Reusable packaging that can be used multiple times for a variety of functions features heavily in the NoIssue catalog.
Location: 8 facilities around the world
Website: https://noissue.co/
The Better Packaging Co.
Industry-leading suppliers of eco-friendly packaging. Focused on the sustainable courier, products include mailers, satchels, envelopes, labels, stickers, tape, and garment bags. Custom packaging queries are welcome, too.
Location: 5 facilities around the world
Website: https://www.betterpackaging.com
Estal Packaging
A boutique source of à la carte packaging solutions featuring eco-friendly glass bottles. Includes sustainable product packaging for food and beverages, as well as beauty industry products.
Truly bespoke services, from the initial design right down to the last detail.
Location: Spain
Website: https://www.estal.com/
SKS Bottle Co
PCR materials are all made from recycled materials, but aren’t recyclable again. A great option for PCR Jars, tubes, tins, and bottles, SKS offers sustainable product packaging for the beauty industry, food insudtry, and cosmetics in general.
Location: New York, USA
Website: https://sks-bottle.com/
Elevate Packaging
A source for simple eco-friendly bags and pouches, labels and stickers, liners, closures, e-commerce and shipping packaging, and more. Custom products on request.
Location: Chicago, USA
Website: https://elevatepackaging.com
Eco Enclose
An easy choice for some of the most sustainable product packaging in recycled, recyclable, and naturally biodegradable options, but discourage using compostable packaging. Choose from poly mailers to paper mailers, shipping boxes and accessories like tape and void fill.
Location: Louisville, USA
Website: https://ecoenclose.com
Biolo
A little more niche for food service bags, films, and straws. Biolo’s packaging replaces single-use plastic and paper with high-performance, eco-friendly flexible packaging and food service products. Using biodegradable polymers, products remain sturdy and packaging withstands the demands of fulfilment, then degrades once introduced to a microbial environment.
Location: Kansas City, USA
Website: Biolo.com
Your best bang-for-buck for custom options will always be going direct overseas. I’ve got an entirely FREE e-book on working on the Alibaba platform linked in my bio on Twitter to help get you started – including vetted factory links!
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Thank you for reading this guide to sustainable product packaging!
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