Maya Ellison
Plastic packaging is a major contributor to environmental degradation, with only 9% of plastics recycled globally. As a result, there is a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. While no perfect solution exists, several alternatives are available, including biodegradable materials such as algae-based replacements, seaweed packaging, starch-based plastics, and paper-based alternatives. Other options include corrugated cardboard, inflatable air pillows, and natural resources such as wool, stone paper, and palm leaves. However, these alternatives may face challenges in terms of cost, performance, and scalability. To address these challenges, businesses and researchers are exploring innovative materials and manufacturing processes to create eco-friendly packaging solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Recyclability is a key factor when considering alternatives to plastic packaging. Materials like corrugated cardboard can be recycled up to ten times, while some biodegradable materials may require specific conditions to degrade effectively. |
| Environmental Impact | Alternatives should reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Materials like bamboo, paper, and cardboard are more eco-friendly but may have drawbacks in terms of durability and global supply chain issues. |
| Cost | Cost is a significant consideration when transitioning from plastic packaging. Sustainable alternatives may be more expensive due to the cost of manufacturing and recycling, but plastic prices are also artificially cheap due to externalized costs. |
| Durability and Flexibility | Alternatives should match the durability and flexibility of plastic. Materials like wool, stone paper, and bioplastics offer similar characteristics while being biodegradable. |
| Food Safety | Plastic is often used in food packaging to prevent leaks and extend shelf life. Alternatives like cardboard may not be suitable for certain foods, but innovations like spray-on coatings and starch-based bioplastics can address these issues. |
| Consumer Demand | Consumer demand for sustainable packaging is increasing. Businesses can respond by adopting alternatives like paper-based wraps, inflatable air pillows, and biodegradable packing peanuts. |
| Innovation | Researchers and companies are constantly innovating to develop sustainable alternatives. Examples include seaweed-based packaging, algae-based replacements, and new production methods like thermoforming with pulp fiber. |
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What You'll Learn
Seaweed and plant-based packaging
The world is witnessing a shift towards sustainability, with consumers and businesses increasingly demanding eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. One such alternative is seaweed packaging, which offers a sustainable and biodegradable solution to single-use plastics.
Seaweed Packaging
Seaweed is a fast-growing, carbon-sequestering plant that requires no freshwater, land, or fertiliser. It captures carbon, making the surrounding waters less acidic, and has abundant availability. London-based company Notpla, for instance, creates plastic replacements from seaweed that break down naturally within a few weeks. Their products include food containers and sachets for dry, liquid, and semi-solid food products, as well as non-food packaging for toiletries and straws. Another company, Evoware, offers seaweed-based wraps for foods like burgers and sandwiches. LOLIWARE Inc., an award-winning tech company, is also focused on replacing single-use plastics with seaweed-derived technologies.
Plant-Based Packaging
Plant-based packaging utilises organic matter and renewable vegetal sources, offering a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach. Derived from renewable resources like corn, sugarcane, potatoes, and other plant-based sources, it reduces reliance on fossil fuels and contributes to the conservation of non-renewable resources. Bioplastics, for example, are a category of polymers derived from renewable biomass sources and typically have a lower carbon footprint. Common bioplastics include Polylactic Acid (PLA), which can be used for plastic films and bottles, and Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which is used for single-use packaging and medical equipment. Cellulose-based materials, derived from wood pulp, cotton, and other plant fibres, are also used in packaging due to their biodegradable and renewable nature.
While the shift towards plant-based and seaweed packaging offers promising solutions, it is important to carefully evaluate these alternatives. Biodegradable materials, for instance, may require specific conditions to effectively degrade. Additionally, some alternatives, like bamboo, may face challenges due to supply chain disruptions and the need for modifications to strengthen the material.
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Paper-based alternatives
One option is corrugated cardboard, which is already widely used in the packaging industry. It is strong, lightweight, and made from wood and paper fibres. Corrugated packaging can be recycled up to ten times, and it is also eligible for green certification. Paper tape is another simple alternative to plastic tape. It is recyclable and biodegradable, and various types are available, such as Kraft reinforced tape and gummed paper tape.
For the food industry, paper-based packaging is a viable option. Brands like EverGrow and EnShield offer paperboard solutions that are moisture-resistant and greaseproof, ideal for produce and baked goods. These paperboard options are also easily branded, allowing for printing logos, designs, and recycling instructions.
Outside of the food industry, brands have successfully switched to recyclable paper packaging. For instance, Nestle's Quality Street chocolates changed their iconic packaging to vegetable-based recyclable paper wrappers, preventing 2.5 billion wrappers from entering landfills.
Other innovative paper-based alternatives are also being explored. Wheat straw, a residue of wheat production, can be repurposed to create paper. Seaweed is another promising option, as it is biodegradable, renewable, and does not require pesticides or fertilizers. These next-generation fibres could become the primary source material for paper production, reducing the environmental impact of deforestation and carbon emissions associated with traditional paper-making processes.
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Bioplastics and biodegradable materials
Bioplastics are an essential part of the bioeconomy and a fast-growing industry that has the potential to reduce environmental impacts. They can be made from natural resources such as corn starch, and there is now a bioplastic alternative for almost every conventional plastic material. For example, PLA, PHA, and PBS are bioplastics that are both bio-based and biodegradable.
Biodegradable materials are another alternative to plastic packaging. These materials can be made from biological resources or fossil raw materials. Biodegradable plastics require specific conditions to effectively degrade, such as industrial composting facilities. They should be used when it is not possible to reduce, reuse, or recycle, following the principles of the circular economy.
Some specific examples of biodegradable materials include:
- Biodegradable packing peanuts made from natural, non-toxic sources such as wheat.
- Inflatable air pillows made from 100% recycled materials, which are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic foam peanuts or bubble wrap.
- Wool, which is a versatile, compostable, and biodegradable material that is also an efficient insulator.
- Stone paper, a non-toxic and biodegradable alternative to paper made from calcium carbonate.
- New, naturally biodegradable materials such as Notpla, which are made from seaweed and plants, can be used as an alternative to plastic packaging.
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Metal, glass, and paper packaging
Metal Packaging
Metal packaging is made from durable materials such as aluminium and steel and is a good alternative to plastic packaging. Metal packaging is resistant to moisture, high temperatures, and degradation over time, ensuring the longevity and protection of products. Metal packaging is commonly used for canned beverages and food packaging and can maintain the nutritional integrity of the contents without contamination. It is also environmentally friendly, as it is infinitely recyclable and can be reused multiple times without compromising product quality.
Glass Packaging
Glass is often seen as a sustainable alternative to plastic, particularly due to its recyclability. Glass can be fully crushed and melted down, and it is primarily made from limestone, sand (silica), and soda ash (sodium carbonate). Glass offers advantages such as non-toxicity, the potential for high recyclability, and maintained quality when using recycled materials. However, it requires more energy and material and can negatively impact emissions associated with transportation due to its weight.
Paper Packaging
Paper-based packaging solutions are environmentally friendly, lightweight, and flexible. Uncoated paper packaging is made from renewable resources and is 100% biodegradable, breaking down much faster than plastic products, which allows for easy disposal, repurposing, and recycling. Paper is also relatively easy to recycle as it can be re-pulped without relying on chemical reactions and is less sensitive to contamination. However, paper-based flexible packaging is often laminated with plastic or aluminium or coated with resin, becoming non-recyclable.
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Reusing existing packaging
The simplest way to prevent packaging waste is to consider whether the packaging is needed at all. For example, consumers can avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs, and opt for zero-waste shops that encourage the use of refillable containers.
When packaging is necessary, innovative designs can achieve the same result in a more sustainable way. For instance, Carlsberg replaced the plastic rings on six-packs of beer with dots of glue to hold the cans together. Similarly, Coca-Cola has switched to selling Sprite in clear, rather than green, bottles that are easier to recycle.
Supermarkets and retailers are also taking steps to reduce plastic waste. Tesco, ASDA, and Walmart have phased out unnecessary plastic films for products like multi-buy tins, yoghurt pots, and greeting cards. Additionally, grocery stores are offering more sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging, such as paper-based wraps and trays made from corrugated cardboard, which can be recycled multiple times.
Reusable beverage packaging is another important solution to the global plastic crisis. A 10% increase in the use of reusable beverage containers by 2030 could eliminate over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups, significantly reducing plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways. Major companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Live Nation have pledged to increase the volume of beverages sold in reusable packaging.
While transitioning to sustainable packaging alternatives can be challenging, it is crucial to evaluate the environmental impact of different materials and collaborate with suppliers and local producers to identify the best solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several alternatives to plastic packaging, including biodegradable packing peanuts made from natural, non-toxic sources such as wheat, paper tape, paper-based wraps, cardboard, stone paper, inflatable air pillows, wool, seaweed-based packaging, and algae-based packaging.
Cardboard packaging is strong and lightweight, recyclable, and cheap to manufacture. 96% of corrugated packaging can be recycled up to ten times into new packaging materials after its initial use.
Cardboard packaging may not be suitable for all products, as juices and other liquids can leak through.
Inflatable air pillows and paper-based wraps are eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap.
Some alternatives to plastic packaging for frozen food include cardboard, paper, and thin plastic wraps.
