Sustainability in Packaging: Navigating the Complexities

Sustainability in Packaging: Navigating the Complexities

As the focus on single-use plastics and recyclability grows, sustainability in packaging remains a key concern. Recent research reveals that 79% of consumers and 72% of brand owners favor products with sustainable packaging, and two-thirds of consumers are even willing to pay a premium for sustainable brands.

However, the multitude of eco-friendly terms—recyclable, biodegradable, renewable, compostable—has left many consumers confused. These terms have become overused, interchangeable, and often misunderstood. Sustainability isn't just black and white. We aim to clarify these differences and cut through the confusion.

Recyclable Materials

Recycling transforms waste materials into new products. Recyclable materials retain their physical or chemical properties even after serving their original purpose and can be remanufactured into new products. The benefits of paper recycling include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, extending the supply of wood fiber, conserving energy, and saving landfill space. While lower grades of paper, like cardboard, are well-suited for recycling, higher grades might require more energy to recycle than producing new paper from sustainably managed forests. That's why introducing virgin pulp into production is essential for maintaining fiber strength and quality.

Ensuring that recyclable packaging is actually recycled is critical to sustainability. Although 80% of what we discard could be recycled, only 28% is. It's vital to encourage consumers to recycle their packaging.

Biodegradable Materials

Biodegradable materials can break down and decompose naturally in the environment. These materials decompose through natural processes involving microorganisms, breaking down into elements like water, carbon dioxide, and new biomass. The decomposition rate depends on environmental conditions and the material itself. However, the term "biodegradable" only indicates that a material can decompose naturally, not how long it will take.

Paper, being plant-based, is biodegradable, but the rate of degradation varies depending on factors like light, moisture, and temperature. The removal of lignin, a component of wood, increases paper's biodegradability.

Compostable Materials

Composting is an accelerated form of biodegradation under controlled conditions—high humidity, temperature, and the presence of microorganisms. Compostable materials biodegrade within 180 days in these environments and turn into nutrient-rich soil, leaving no toxic residue.

Compostable materials differ from biodegradable ones by contributing nutrients back to the earth after decomposing. However, composting requires specific conditions not always present in landfills, meaning compostable products might not break down as intended outside of industrial composting facilities.

Biodegradable vs. Compostable

While both composting and biodegrading involve decomposition, the conditions and outcomes differ. Composting is faster but requires specific environmental settings, whereas biodegradable materials break down naturally, albeit more slowly. Not all biodegradable materials are compostable, and compostable items must meet certain standards to ensure they decompose fully and beneficially.

Expanding Sustainability

There are misconceptions about the sustainability of coated papers. While surface coatings can enhance paper quality without hindering biodegradability, polycoated papers containing plastic layers do not biodegrade easily. Multi-material packaging presents additional challenges due to the difficulty of separating various material types for recycling.

We're committed to eco-friendly packaging solutions that don't compromise on aesthetics. Our products are customizable, ensuring that your packaging remains on brand while being sustainable.

Choosing the Best for Our Planet

Transparency in material composition and sourcing is essential when selecting sustainable packaging. Always choose paper when possible, and opt for suppliers with responsible forest management certifications like FSC® and SFI®.

Innovation in sustainable packaging continues to advance, and we're dedicated to being part of the solution. Since 2019, we've focused on manufacturing packaging from pulp-based materials, supporting our natural resources and striving for a Better World together.

Choosing sustainable options isn't always easy, but it's always worth it.