By BCI
19 January 2023The war on plastic is heating up, and brands are scrambling to find ways to reduce their reliance on the material. Consumer preference has shifted dramatically in recent years, and more people are demanding products with minimal environmental impact. Companies have taken notice and are making the switch to paper packaging, which is biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable.
Single-use plastic is an ethical nightmare. Here’s why:
Not only does it take centuries to degrade, but it also affects the food chain by killing millions of animals each year. Scientists estimate that dumped plastics will outnumber the population of fish in the sea by 2050. Furthermore, plastic waste has been known to leach toxic chemicals into our water sources, making it a human health hazard as well as an environmental one.
Besides the fact that brands are preserving a future for our planet, there are plenty of more immediate, practical reasons for brands to make the switch to eco-friendly packaging.
Recycled packaging often requires reduced raw materials to develop. It also tends to be lighter and smaller in size, reducing the cost of shipping and manufacturing. So going green doesn’t just help promote environmental sustainability; it also helps brands save money.
Luckily, there are a few companies that are leading the transition to eco-friendly packaging. Here are three of them:
This vegan beauty brand is one of the pioneers in the movement to ditch plastic. Since 1995 Lush has used minimal packaging or no packaging at all. Instead, lush relies on recycled paper and plant-based cellulose for their shipping materials and post-consumer waste paper for their gift boxes.
In 2011 they launched their “Naked” line, where all packaging was eliminated and replaced with compostable materials like paper and cardboard. They have since then continued to innovate and develop new ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
Coffee giant Starbucks has also committed to reducing its use of single-use plastics. Today, consumers enjoy their premium coffees and teas through recyclable plastic lids and compostable paper straws.
They transport large boxes of coffee made from cardboard back to the office. This sustainability shift is one of many Starbucks has pledged to make in an effort to reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprints by half by 2030.
Online retail behemoth Amazon is also leading the way in sustainable packaging on an international scale. For example, in Europe, Amazon eliminated single-use plastic delivery bags altogether, opting for 100% recyclable paper bags and cardboard envelopes instead.
In 2020, they also acted as a founding member of the India Plastics Pact and removed all thin film plastics from their packaging. Since 2021, they’ve also managed to avoid using 30,000 tons of plastic across North America, partly due to the addition of recyclable paper padded mailers.
It’s clear that eco-friendly packaging is the way of the future — and these three companies are setting an excellent example for other brands looking to make a positive environmental impact. By switching to sustainable packaging practices, businesses can help preserve our planet for generations to come.
BCI wants to partner with you if you’re ready to team up with a packaging partner that values sustainability, reliability, and innovation. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.
