Eco Friendly packaging is in, and sustainability in the world of packaging is so important. With many people more attuned to the impact their purchases have on the world around them, they’re turning to packaging that creates a greener world. 

We already see this with a lot of the packaging that’s out here today. For instance, the use of corrugated boxes rather than plastics is more common than you’d think. But, when it comes to more trends, there are some that stand out above the rest, which we’ll talk about here. 

The Current Trends 

Right now, the most innovative trends involve the way these packaging pieces are disposed of. These days, people want packaging that creates as little waste as possible. 

Many companies are turning to biodegradable and compostable items. These naturally break down in the landfill and offer a solution to help with the natural decomposition of the pieces. 

The second are recycled and upcycled packaging solutions. Companies are taking it upon themselves to recycle better, such as proper disposal and different types of channels that will help with growth.   

When it comes to upcycling, there are now new ways to reuse the packaging. For instance, some companies will take the boxes and will turn them into different hangers and boxes.   Some kids clothing companies will change the packaging to something that they can use. 

This all contributes to the ultimate result, of minimalist practices, and zero waste types of packaging. Gone are the days where you’re constantly having excess. These days, less is more, not just with the design, but with the sizes too. The ultimate goal is to have no waste or reduce the waste to a level where you’re not creating a negative impact. 

Companies using This 

There are companies that are using this. Calvin Klein for example, is now committed to 100% sustainable packaging, and everything that’s ethically sourced by 2025.   This, of course, helps to save tons of plastic, and they have managed to save over 200 tons with this alone. 

Patagonia is another, and they’ve also started to use recycled material in their clothing, and they teach customers how they can recycle the items on the clothing themselves. 

Benefits and Challenges 

There are obvious benefits that come with this. The first is environmental impact reduction. More people are able to save the plane with their practices, and it will put less of a burden on the current systems. 

Another benefit is customers like this. they want to see companies doing this, as it will show they’re committed to the environment. Almost three-quarters of customers are going to choose the company with eco-friendly initiatives, over one that’s not. 

There are challenges that come with this though. the costs might be much for some people. There is also the logistics, as some people aren’t as committed to tossing their packaging ethically, or they might have trouble doing so. 

What’s the Future Looking Like 

We’re going to see more eco-friendly packaging. These days, companies know that this is something they must do. 

If they aren’t, they’re going to miss out on valuable customers. However, we will also see some major technologies coming about, and new materials. For instance,  we already see plenty of bioplastics, and we might see more types of sustainable packaging practices. 

Overall, the eco-friendly packaging that you see isn’t just a trend, it’s here to stay. If you’re not already adopting a practice that is sustainable, then you should start doing it today, in order to see for yourself ta future type of packaging practice that will benefit you.