In 2024, it is expected that our world will generate more than 220 million tons of plastic waste. That implies, per human being, it is expected to be a whopping 28 kilograms! Given the immense volume of waste and its drastic effect on the already dwindling state of our environment, it is best advised for businesses across all industries and individuals to use eco-friendly packaging materials.
Sustainable practices are on the rise in the rapidly growing world of e-commerce, especially regarding packaging. As the digital market is burgeoning, and with the advent of online sustainable marketplaces like Upcycleluxe, consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and driving the demand for eco-friendly packaging and shipping solutions.
This prevailing online sustainable marketplace trend bespeaks a cross-disciplinary conscious movement within the e-commerce and other offline industry sectors to adopt eco-friendly practices that aid in reducing environmental impact and be of interest to the eco-conscious shopper.
In this article, we will dive headfirst into the phenomenal categories that eco-friendly packaging materials fall into.
The 4 Categories/Types of Eco-friendly Packaging Materials:
The eco-friendly packaging materials offer revolutionary and sustainable packaging options for all industry sectors. The main aim of these earth-friendly packaging materials is to reduce the environmental impact of businesses, elevate customer satisfaction, and get together to lead the charge in sustainability.
Eco-friendly packaging materials can be grouped into four main categories, each with unique benefits and characteristics.
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Recyclable Packaging Materials
This category of packaging materials refers to the type that can be recovered and modified into new products. Businesses can educate customers about proper disposal methods through instructions about recycling methods denoted on the packaging materials. This helps in the recollection and recycling of the same.
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Compostable Packaging Materials
These packaging materials are designed to quickly break down into nutrient-rich material that benefits the soil, leaving behind no toxic residues. It is the best solution to reduce landfill waste and support organic waste management systems. Some compostable packaging materials are edible films, plant-based plastics, and paper, with the most used organic coating.
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Reusable Packaging Materials
Its main aim is to extend the lifespan of packaging materials, and it is specially designed for multiple uses. This hugely helps curb the use of single-use packaging materials and reduces the volume of waste generated.
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Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastic packaging materials made from renewable biological sources, such as plants (sugars derived from sugarcane or corn), bacteria, or algae. Traditional plastics, which are derived from fossil fuels, take centuries to break down. Bioplastics (biodegradable bags) easily break down into CO2 (carbon dioxide), water, and biomass, thus proving to be a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative.
Now let's explore the comprehensive list of eco-friendly packaging materials collated below:
List of Eco-friendly Packaging Materials
1) Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Biodegradable packing peanuts are a more eco-friendly option than conventional polystyrene packing peanuts. They are produced from naturally derived starches (cornstarch or wheat starch). These eco-friendly packaging materials are biodegradable and easily dissolve in water (a few days or weeks), thus reducing their environmental impact and making them more sustainable packing/shipping materials.
2) Cornstarch Packaging Material
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is derived from the fermentation of plant (corn) starch and is used to make cornstarch packaging material. This process converts the starch into a plastic-like material that can be moulded into different packaging forms. It is a compostable alternative to conventional plastic packaging.
3) Recycled Cardboard Packaging Material
Recycled paper and cardboard are the primary raw materials used to manufacture recycled cardboard. After being collected, the cardboard used is broken down into fibers, cleaned, and reformed into new cardboard-based packaging products.
4) Mushroom Packaging Material
This eco-friendly packaging material is made from two primary components: Mycelium (mushroom roots or vegetative part of a fungus) and Agricultural Waste (corn stalks, wood chips, or hemp hurds). This innovative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging is also known as Mushroom Packaging or MycoComposite.
5) Corrugated Bubble Wrap
This eco-friendly alternative to plastic bubble wrap is typically made from 100% recycled cardboard and is suitable for protecting fragile products.
6) Compostable Packaging
Common plant-based materials used to manufacture compostable packaging include sugarcane, corn starch, beet pulp, and carrot pulp. Compostable packaging is an eco-friendly form of packaging that has become popular because it disintegrates without leaving any toxic chemicals.
7) Hemp Packaging Material
Hemp is pretty strong and durable, and its value and profitability are immense. Bioplastics are made using the cellulose and hurd parts of the hemp plant. These biodegradable bioplastics decompose in a maximum of six months.
8) Seaweed Packaging Material
Agar, a gelatinous substance commonly found in seaweed and algae, is used to manufacture this new and popular eco-friendly packaging material. It is used as a binder to hold together plant waste (primarily corn and wheat)to create flexible packaging materials in various shapes and sizes.
9) Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is made using leftovers from virgin trees, which are then processed into paper pulp. The fibres in the paper pulp used to make kraft paper are more substantial, and gentle adhesives are used to bind the pulp, which enables it to break down quickly without leaving any toxic residues.
10) Bamboo Packaging Material
It's made from bamboo fibres extracted from the bamboo plant. The process starts with harvesting bamboo sustainably, pulping, moulding, and then drying the moulded products to remove any moisture. This eco-friendly packaging material is flexible and can be moulded into containers, trays, and boxes, to name a few.
11) Glass Packaging Material
Glass packaging is the most common recyclable and reusable packaging material and can be moulded into bottles, jars, beverages, cosmetics, and even food products. It is one of the best ways for businesses to contribute towards resource conservation, as glass can be recycled indefinitely and doesn't lose quality.
12) Metal Packaging Material
Aluminium and Steel are the most common forms of metal packaging materials, and they have been in use for a long time. They are highly recyclable and durable, which makes them suitable for packaging applications. The most common forms of metal packaging are metal cans, aluminium foil, and aerosol containers.
13) Organic Textile Packaging Material
Organic textile packaging materials are sustainable and eco-friendly options that are biodegradable and can be used multiple times compared with harmful traditional packaging materials. They are made using a wide variety of raw materials, such as tapioca, hemp, palm leaves, and organic/recycled cotton.
14) Sugarcane Residue Packaging Material
Sugarcane residue is the juice extracted from crushed sugarcane stalks. This extract is used to create polystyrene-like packaging materials, the most common example being food containers.
15) Palm Leaves Packaging Material
Once sourced from areca palm trees, the leaves are cleaned, processed, and moulded into eco-friendly packaging materials like disposable bowls and plates. Some of the significant benefits of this sustainable packaging material are that it is waterproof, microwave-safe, sturdy, temperature resistant, and the best-suited packaging material for the food sector.
16) Coconut Shell Packaging Material
Coconut, nature's best gift to humankind, has numerous benefits, and one amongst the many is its usage to make eco-friendly packaging materials made out of its shell. Made from hard outer coconut shells and coconut husks, they are cleaned and processed to make eco-friendly packaging materials like disposable/reusable bowls and filler materials to safeguard products in transit.
17) Milk-based Packaging Material
Milk is an excellent source of proteins, especially casein. This milk protein is now being used to produce a biodegradable alternative to plastic films. It is sustainable and edible, thus making it the best eco-friendly packaging alternative to plastic films and best suited for food packaging.
18) Sheep Wool Packaging Material
Sheep wool is a great insulator and is widely used in clothing products. Sheep wool is the best choice for packing temperature-sensitive products as it has superior isothermal properties compared to Styrofoam. When sourced sustainably, cleaned, and processed, it renders them safe and non-hazardous.
19) Chicken Feathers Packaging Material
Chicken feathers are rich in Keratin, a tough protein, and highly fibrous. The chicken feathers left behind from the poultry and meat processing industry are generated in abundance. Scientists have developed a new process, "Polymerisation," which helps convert these discarded feathers into industry-standard packaging materials like carry bags and containers.
20) Limestone Packaging Material
The best option to look further into creating eco-friendly packaging materials apart from trees or its byproducts is stones! Pulverised limestones and a small amount of polyethylene for binding purposes help save 20 trees for every ton of packaging material produced using these ingredients. The end result can be used as an alternative to paper packaging and can be printed with different patterns and branding designs.
21) Shrimp Shells Packaging Material
An engineering professor from the United Kingdom has devised a process to convert shrimp shells into biodegradable packaging materials like bags. This project, in its initial stage, is being focused on Egypt, as there is a plentiful supply of shrimp shell waste available. The process involves collecting the shrimp shells, boiling them in acid to make them less brittle, and then stripping them down to a material that can be moulded into a bag.
22) Eucalyptus Wood Packaging Material
Eucalyptus is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, but its newfound application in manufacturing eco-friendly packaging materials is noteworthy. This revolutionary packaging material is a bio-film made using the wood pulp extracts of the eucalyptus tree and helps increase the shelf life of products by keeping oxygen and moisture out.
23) Glassine paper
Glassine paper is an eco-friendly packaging material that is transparent, glossy, and smooth in appearance. It is made using wood pulp that undergoes a process called "supercalendering," which involves compressing the paper fibres to render them strong, dense, and resistant to grease, moisture, and air.
24) Water Activated Adhesives
WAAs (water-activated adhesives) are made using kraft paper and water-soluble adhesives. They are used for securing and sealing packaging, especially cardboard boxes. When applied/sprayed with water, the starch-based adhesive side of the tape helps it bond with the box's surface. When activated, it creates a strong, secure seal capable of withstanding moisture and temperature changes.
25) Honeycomb Packaging Paper
Honeycomb wrap is made using kraft paper. This eco-friendly packaging material is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bubble wrap. The paper has a honeycomb structure (hexagonal cells) and offers exceptional cushioning and protection, especially for fragile items.
Conclusion
Adopting eco-friendly packaging materials and boxes across every business sector is the need of the hour. With the advent of multiple online marketplaces and the increasing number of orders delivered daily, the harmful plastics used in the packaging fill up the already burgeoning landfills. Shunning plastic packaging materials is the best solution for both offline and online businesses to reduce their environmental impact and enhance customer satisfaction.
Upcycleluxe is an online sustainable marketplace, and the packaging materials used by us and the vendors on our platform are totally devoid of any form of plastic. Shop with us for eco-friendly clothing and eco-friendly gifts and experience nature's goodness packed without an iota of plastic packaging.
