Choose Your Impact: How Sustainable Packaging Protects the Planet Your Way

I know a lot of you want to protect the planet, but you're not totally sure how packaging can actually help with that. What's truly "good" for the environment? Is biodegradable really better? What about recycled materials?

Here's what I've learned after diving deep into this topic: there's no single "perfect" sustainable packaging solution. Different options address different environmental problems. The key is figuring out which environmental issue matters most to you, then choosing packaging that addresses that specific concern.

Step 1: Identify Your Environmental Priority

Before making any packaging decisions, ask yourself: "Which environmental problem am I most passionate about solving?" Here are some of the major concerns you might want to address:

Ocean Plastic Crisis

If you're troubled by images of wildlife entangled in plastic or islands of garbage floating in our oceans, this might be your priority. Solutions include:

• Going completely plastic-free with alternatives like paper or glass
• Using ocean-bound plastic (recycled plastic collected from coastal areas that would likely end up in oceans)

There are also some other creative solutions being explored to fight the ocean plastic criss. For example, 4ocean has pioneered programs where they remove a pound of plastic from the ocean for every pound of plastic a brand puts into the marketplace.

Climate Change & Carbon Footprint

Concerned about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming? Consider:

• Lightweight packaging that requires less material and energy to produce and transport
• Bioplastics made from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels
• Materials with lower carbon footprints throughout their lifecycle

Preserving Natural Resources

If conserving our planet's limited resources is your focus:

• Recycled content packaging reduces demand for virgin materials
• Concentrated products that require less packaging overall
• Reusable or refillable packaging systems

Reducing Landfill Waste

Worried about mounting landfills? Look into:

• Compostable packaging (industrial or home compostable)
• Easily recyclable materials with established recycling streams
• Packaging designed for circular economy systems

[Re] Waste is a very forwarding thinking company with awesome programs that emphasize diverting material from landfill.

Supporting Recycling Infrastructure

Want to ensure recycling remains viable long-term?

• Choose materials with high recycled content
• Select widely recyclable materials like PET, HDPE, aluminum
• Avoid composite materials that contaminate recycling streams

Protecting Human Health

Maybe you're concerned about chemicals leaching from packaging:

• Food-safe glass or stainless steel options
• Plant-based materials free from harmful chemicals
• Certified non-toxic inks and adhesives

Step 2: Consult with Experts

Talk to experts who can guide you toward options that address your specific concern. Ask questions like:

• "How exactly does this packaging solution help with [my priority]?"
• "What's the full lifecycle impact of this material?"
• "Are there any trade-offs I should be aware of?"

A knowledgeable expert should be able to guide you to specific solutions to meet your needs and not just talk in abstract language.

Step 3: Take Some Action (Understanding There's No Perfect Solution)

Every sustainable packaging option involves trade-offs. For example:

• Glass is infinitely recyclable but heavier to transport (higher carbon emissions)
• Paper is biodegradable but may require more water and energy to produce
• Some compostable plastics only break down in industrial facilities, not home composting
• Recycled plastic keeps materials out of landfills but may still contain fossil fuel-derived polymers

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good! Some principles to follow:

• Do something now rather than waiting for the perfect solution
• Be transparent with your customers about why you chose your packaging
• Stay informed about innovations in sustainable packaging
• Be willing to pivot as better options become available

Remember, sustainability isn't a destination—it's an ongoing journey. There are brilliant minds working on this problem, and the options will only get better with time.

Examples of Matching Solutions to Priorities

Here are a few examples of how different priorities might lead to different packaging choices:

Priority: Ocean Plastic Crisis

‍Option: Paper-based packaging or ocean-bound plastic that removes plastic waste from coastal environments

Priority: Climate Change

‍Option: Lightweight packaging with minimal material or packaging derived from carbon-capturing plants

Priority: Circular Economy

‍Option: Aluminum packaging (infinitely recyclable) or refillable/returnable container systems

Final Thoughts

The most important thing is to just start somewhere. Even if you can't address all environmental concerns at once, making one intentional choice is better than making no change at all.

And remember—this stuff is complex! We're all learning together how to better protect our planet through the choices we make.

What sustainable packaging priority matters most to you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!