The packaging industry has seen a lot of growth in recent years. This is because it is one of the most efficient ways to transport goods and helps companies maintain their brand image. Packaging materials are also used to protect products from damage during transportation or storage, which can be crucial when selling products online or at stores such as supermarkets or hardware stores.
Therefore the increasing usage of packaging is also a major factor behind the growing volume of pollution and waste Which requires us to go for eco friendly packaging solutions. In this regard, here are 22 evergreen eco friendly packaging ideas that you can use to go green when it comes to product packaging.
1. Upcycling
Upcycling is a process of turning waste materials into new materials. For example, if you have an old soda can that is been used for years and the aluminum has rusted off, you can use this material to make something else instead of throwing it away. You could also use upcycled plastic bags as an alternative to paper towel rolls or reusable cloth napkins at home or work.
Upcycling is not just limited to packaging; it also includes other items like fabric shopping bags and even furniture.
2. Minimalistic Packaging
Minimalistic packaging is a great way to add a touch of class to your product. It is also great for luxury products and those that are already visually appealing.
For example, if you are selling high-end perfume oils, minimalistic packaging can help make your brand stand out in an industry filled with cheap knockoffs and mediocre imitations.
Read More: Minimalist Packaging: A solution To Environmental Issues
3. Edible Packaging
Edible packaging is a type of packaging that is edible or at least partially edible. It can be made from natural ingredients and has no harmful chemicals.
The main purpose of edible packaging is to protect food from contamination during its journey from production to consumer. It also helps prevent spoilage and molds, which may harm the quality of the product if not properly sealed or stored appropriately.
4. Compostable Packaging
Compostable packaging is made from eco-friendly packaging material and biodegrades in a composting environment. The most common forms of compostable packaging are made from plant-based materials, such as corn starch or soybean oil. Other plants like wheat straw or wood chips can also be used to create compostable containers.
Compostable containers are usually PLA (polylactic acid) or PS (polystyrene) polymers that have been treated by an alkaline treatment process, so they do not leach plasticizers into the food they hold while being biodegraded in an industrial facility.
5. Plantable Packaging
Plantable packaging is a great alternative to plastic and paper and is outstanding example of eco-friendly product packaging. It is made from plants, so it is biodegradable and compostable. Plus, it looks great.
Plantable packaging can be used for many things: food or beverage packages, pet food bags, and boxes, coffee cups or mugs, toys and clothing accessories. The possibilities are endless.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Green Packaging
6. Smart Packaging
Smart packaging is a new concept in packaging that uses technology to enhance package performance. Smart packaging is a combination of sensors and communication technology to monitor the environment, product, and consumer. This can be done through temperature monitoring, humidity monitoring, or even carbon dioxide levels, for example. The information gathered from these sensors allows for smart packaging solutions such as:
Smart labeling Label printing on paper or plastic with special ink that changes color when exposed to heat (e-ink), pressure (tear-off or pressure sensitive), or light (UV). It also has an RFID tag embedded within it, so you know exactly where your products are at all times
Smart closing A closure mechanism that automatically closes after use without having to close them again manually
Read More: Inspiring 5 Creative Product Packaging Ideas
7. Paper Packaging
Paper packaging is another environmentally friendly option for packaging. This type of packaging can be recycled, composted, or incinerated after use. It has a low carbon footprint and uses less energy than other types of materials like plastic or glass.
Paperboard products are made from wood pulp which is derived from trees, so they do not require oil-based production processes like those used for plastic or glass containers. However, some concerns about the impact using paperboard products may have on forests if we continue to rely on them as our main source of the material.
In this case, we need to look at alternatives such as biodegradable plastics, which could be better suited than traditional ones because they decompose easily over time without leaving any harmful chemicals behind when disposed of properly after use.
8. Corrugated Packaging
Corrugated packaging is a great eco-friendly option because it is made from recycled paper, which is also biodegradable. It is also very versatile, as it can be used for many types of products.
For example, if you are selling food products like fruits and vegetables, then corrugated boxes are perfect since they will allow your customers to see what they are buying without opening the package themselves. This makes it easier for them to know exactly what they are getting without digging through all those pesky pieces of plastic that come with most packages nowadays.
9. Returnable Solutions
Returnable solutions are a cost-effective way to reduce waste and increase efficiency. Returnable solutions can be used in various industries, including food and beverage, retail, and manufacturing. They help customers return packaging that has already been used once for reuse or recycling purposes.
Returnable solutions have several advantages over single-use containers:
a). They are more cost-effective than other options because they do not require additional investments in machinery or materials.
b). They reduce your carbon footprint by reducing transportation costs associated with transporting goods around the world via airfreight or shipping containers around oceans by shipboard cargo service companies.
10. Mono-Materials
Mono-materials are made from a single material. They are usually used for packaging products and food, electronics, and cosmetics.
Mono-materials are made from paper, plastic, or metal. For example:
a). Paper bags can be decorated with images on the bag's surface or printed directly onto it using screen printing technology that allows you to print text messages directly onto your product without needing an expensive machinery setup at home.
b). Plastic bottles can be recycled into new bottles with just one step by adding heat to melt off plastic labels, which become clean enough to be reused again!
11. Cornstarch Packaging
Cornstarch packaging is another type of eco-friendly retail packaging that is biodegradable, compostable, and a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. It is made from recycled materials, which means you can use it repeatedly without having to buy new containers or replace the cornstarch itself.
Cornstarch is also a renewable resource, when you make your next batch of homemade muffins or pancakes with cornstarch as the binder, add some water and stir it into a paste before adding any other ingredients (like flour). The starch will absorb moisture from the air until it reaches saturation point, whereupon it becomes gelatinous in consistency; this means that when used properly, there should be no need for additional water additions to create gummy doughs or cakes.
12. Mushroom Packaging
Mushroom packaging is biodegradable packaging made from mushroom mycelium. It has been created to be used as a sustainable and renewable packaging material.
Mushroom packaging can be made from several types of plants and fungi, but the most common ones are mushrooms, truffles, and kelp. Each plant/fungi has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to making this type of eco-friendly product.
13. Biodegradable Packaging Peanuts
Biodegradable packaging peanuts are a great eco-friendly product that can be used in several different ways.
Biodegradable packaging materials are an excellent way to dispose of waste while also increasing the longevity of your products. These materials can be used in many different industries, including food packaging, medical supplies, and even construction materials like wood or stone. Biodegradable packaging suppliers are often able to provide you with biodegradable products at competitive prices so you can find something that works best for your budget.
Read More: Biodegradable Packaging: The Need Of The Hour
14. Paper Bottles
Paper bottles are a great way to reduce plastic waste. They can be used for various products, including food and beverages. Paper bottles are biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable, so they do not contribute to landfill space or unnecessary pollution of landfills.
Paper packaging has also been more sustainable than plastic packaging because it requires less energy to produce it than plastic. Using paper over plastic reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 70 percent.
15. Reusable Bags
Reusable bags are made of materials like canvas, jute, polypropylene, and polyester. They can be carried in various ways: as a backpack or messenger bag; hung from your shoulder; as a purse; or clipped to your belt/waistband. They are also super lightweight, so you do not have to carry around heavy bags.
Reusable bags are great because they reduce the amount of plastic bags used by consumers everywhere. They are easy to use and convenient for everyone involved: shoppers receive something that will last longer than paper or cardboard disposable shopping bags; businesses can save money on packaging costs by not having to purchase new ones every time someone buys something at their business location; recyclers will receive more material through recycling programs when people use reusable options instead of traditional ones.
16. Drinkable Garment Bags
If you are looking to go green and make your own packing materials, consider using a drinkable garment bag. These bags are made from recycled plastic and come in various sizes. You can use them to carry clothing, food items, or other objects that are too large for standard baggage. Plus, these bags are reusable. The best part about them is that they are both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
It's easy to convert an existing garment bag into an eco-friendly packaging solution, just wash off any excess dirt from inside the old bag before filling it with new items like clothes or shoes. This will help prevent stains from forming on the outside surface of your new product after being exposed for long periods of time. Once filled up with whatever type of content needs protection, just seal off all openings, including handles, so nothing leaks out during transit; then put everything else inside like books/magazines, etc.
17. Bioplastics
Bioplastics are made from renewable resources, such as plants and trees. They can be recycled easily because they do not contain petrochemicals or other toxic chemicals. Bioplastics also have a low carbon footprint due to their biodegradable nature and the fact that they are made from plants rather than petroleum products or other materials.
Biodegradable plastic packaging is becoming more popular in the conscious consumer arena because it is better for our planet and helps reduce waste by recycling leftover packaging material back into new products or materials that can be used again instead of sending them off to landfills where they sit until they break down into smaller pieces that eventually end up being buried somewhere far away from where they were originally created.
18. Furoshiki
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. It is made from cloth, paper, or plastic and used to wrap clothes, gifts, and other items. Furoshiki can be made from cotton, silk, or synthetic materials. The fabric is folded in half lengthwise with the right side facing outwards so that it forms a cylinder of sorts, the shape of which depends on which end you plan on using. You then fold your item into it and secure it with an elastic bandage around its circumference as if you were closing up a beach bag.
Furoshiki are similar in appearance to reusable shopping bags but without all those annoying tags attached. They are also much more fun than plastic shopping bags because they allow people who do not own cars accessibly to get around town without having their hands dirty after using them.
19. Anti-Microbial Packaging
Anti-microbial packaging is a type of eco-friendly packaging that can be used to keep food fresher for longer. It's made up of materials that inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts on the surface of food products. This prevents these microorganisms from growing, which means they won't multiply like they normally do in normal storage environments.
The most common material used in anti-microbial packaging is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an inert plastic often used as a water bottle or drink container because it can withstand high temperatures without breaking down into smaller pieces when exposed to sunlight or heat sources such as microwaves or ovens.
20. Intelligent Packaging
Intelligent packaging is a term that describes a range of technologies that are used to monitor and track products from their manufacture through to the consumer. It is not just about tracking products but also about understanding their use patterns and how they can be improved.
Intelligent packaging brings together all of this information into one place so you can make informed decisions on what your brand needs next.
Read More: Inspiring Yellow Packaging Ideas
21. Cellulose Packaging
Cellulose is one of the most common materials used in packaging. It is made from plant fibers and can be found in many products, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Cellulose is biodegradable and breaks down over time into carbon dioxide and water. This makes it an excellent choice for custom eco-friendly packaging.
Read More: How to Make Eco Friendly Candle Packaging Tips Tricks
Final Thoughts
We believe that these are just some of the best eco friendly packaging box ideas that do not need to break the bank. You can use them in your own business or on a personal level to help you save money and be environmentally friendly.
