What’s The Most Sustainable Packaging Material?

Read these tips before your next shopping trip for sustainable plastic solutions to avoid single-use plastic.

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Of all the things to notice when shopping for sustainable products, packaging can be one of the most confusing to know what to look for. Sure sustainable brands almost unanimously offer biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable options. But if you’re shopping for everyday basics, there are fierce debates about everything from whether or not you’ll actually use those refillable containers to if ‘made from recycled plastic’ claims are worth supporting. (Spoiler: in the age of microplastics, paper is always better than plastic). Whittling out the confusion, and doing so quickly, can you help make the smartest choice for your home and the planet. 

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Knowing how to quickly choose products with sustainable packaging can help eliminate the 82 million tons of trash that is generated from packaging in the U.S. Since most packaging is single-use and thrown out immediately after the product is purchased, it’s a substantial pollutant that can easily be eliminated if we (governments, brands, and consumers) all make conscious choices to focus on sustainable solutions. 

In this guide, we’ll cut through the greenwashing, share expert advice, and offer quick actionable tips to make your next shopping trip one less wasteful. 

What Is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging are materials that cause the least harm to the environment. This type of packaging is generally sourced from plant-based and renewable resources and is compostable, biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable. Think of traditional packaging like a brown paper bag or innovations like bioplastic shopping bags. Both are sourced from plants like FSC forests, bamboo, or mushrooms and will decompose within 3 months. This is far better than the 2 to 200 years it takes for plastic packaging to decompose. Other sustainable packaging options include metal and glass containers which are easily reusable and recyclable. 

Here’s a quick round up of popular sustainable packaging materials, their benefit to the environment, the types of products you’ll see with this packaging, and how to dispose of them. 

Paper

Here’s a fun fact, this classic packaging material has its roots dating back to the 2nd century BC where mulberry bark was used in China to wrap foods. As a recyclable and biodegradable material, you’ll often find it used as bags, wrapping paper, boxes and more in fashion, food, and personal care industries. 

When shopping for items packaged in paper, look for packaging that isn’t laminated. Oftentimes, those shiny paper boxes and bags are a sign that those materials have been coated in a thin layer of plastic. Choose the product in a plain paper box you can break down and place in your recycling bin or compost in your backyard. 

Glass

Glass has become a darling of the beauty industry with more brands making it their go-to for creams, serums, and even cleansers. Aesthetically, glass bottles have a luxury appeal. They’re also impermeable and maintain the integrity and shelf life of formulas. Environmentally, glass is nontoxic and can be endlessly recycled without losing its quality. Compared to plastic containers, glass is nontoxic and won’t break down into smaller polluting particles like microplastics. 

Finished with your favorite cream or serum? Clean out the container and put it into the recycling bin. If there is a cap or pump, ensure that they’re  separated from the glass container. More often than not, pumps and caps are made from plastic and may not be recyclable. Read the label for disposal instructions or check the brand website for further details about how to recycle the packaging. Live near a Sephora? Drop off your empty containers at one of their stores with recycling bins to ensure that your bottles, jars, and containers will be recycled. Nordstrom, Origins, Saks, and L’Occitane also have drop off locations for recycling items.

Metal

Aluminum, tin, and steel are the three main types of metal you’ll often see for cans, tins (pun intended), and wraps. It’s a dominant packaging material in the food and beverage industries, although there are personal care brands like Marvis and beauty brands like Kjaer Weis that use metal packaging for everyday products. Similar to glass metal packaging has the potential to be recycled multiple times. 

Similar to glass, metal can be indefinitely recycled. To recycle, separate plastic caps and labels, clean out your containers, and place them into your recycling bin. 

Bioplastics 

Bioplastic refers to a type of material made from plant-based, renewable, and biodegradable sources such as seaweed, corn, and sugarcane. These materials hold a promise for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and single use packaging. However, the problem is that to date, there isn’t a universal definition for bioplastics and a packaging product can only contain 30% of bioplastics while still labeling itself as a bioplastic. This lack of transparency means that some packaging items can be 70% fossil-based plastic. 

So, are bioplastics more sustainable than plastic? As long as it states it’s made from 100%  bioplastic, then the answer is ‘yes’. However, few bioplastic packaging materials list the materials. To avoid buying into false greenwashing claims, opt for zero packaging or paper (if that option is available). If bioplastic is the only packaging option, avoid composting and place it in a trash can. It’s better to avoid the risk of contaminating soil or recyclable items with potentially plastic materials fueled with toxic chemicals. 

Tips To Choose Sustainable Packaging When Shopping

So far, we’ve detailed materials to look for when shopping for sustainable packaging and how to best dispose of them. But there are other things you can look for too when shopping for the most sustainable products. Some of these tips can even be adopted to make the best sustainable choice when the only packaging option is single-use plastic. Here are a few practical and easy-to-follow tips.  

Look for certifications: Choose paper products that are clearly labeled with trusted certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which ensures paper is responsibly sourced. Other trusted certifications include recycled content labels and B Corp certification, indicating a company meets high social and environmental standards.

Less is more: Compact, minimal designs cut down on unnecessary waste. Reusable containers and refillable bottles are ideal—they reduce the need for new packaging each time. Innovative designs like collapsible or stackable packaging also save space and lessen environmental impact.

Know your keywords: Biodegradable, recyclable, compostable, or reusable are all sustainable terms you can give the green light to when it comes to shopping sustainably. These labels will also help you understand how to dispose of or reuse the packaging properly.

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Support the right companies: Shop at retailers and buy brands that openly share their environmental goals and practices. This will require some homework. Visit their websites or read reviews to see if their promises match their actions. Third-party audits from sites like Good On You add extra confidence that their claims are legitimate.

Go Bulk: Buying in bulk cuts down on packaging waste. Instead of having several smaller versions of an item you regularly use (cleaning products, snacks, shampoo, etc.) buy a bulk version to minimize packaging. 

Refill: Refillable products, like soap dispensers, cleaning products, and even makeup, help you reuse the same container, reducing the need for new packaging every time. 

Buy Local: Buying from local businesses often means less shipping, which equals fewer emissions. Choose brands that prioritize sustainability and local sourcing to support your community and the environment simultaneously.

Packaging’s Impact

If you’ve ever wondered what’s the point in taking extra steps like these when shopping, you’re not alone. In a recent survey only one-third of consumers see packaging as an important factor when considering a purchase. Yet, even something as seemingly small as packaging can have a big impact. Sustainable packaging reduces waste filling landfills and oceans, toxins emitted into our air, and carbon emissions.

Did you know that 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels? Global production is continuously increasing with 460 million metric tons produced in 2019 versus the 2 million tons produced in 1950. There’s also a big chemical problem. Plastic food packaging alone uses 3,000 chemicals that’s leaching into our food. Not only that, many of these chemicals are classified as PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’. As the name suggests, these chemicals accumulate instead of break down and are known to disrupt hormones, the endocrine system, and pose numerous health risks. 

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Minimizing your exposure to plastic packaging is a simple yet powerful way to protect the environment and your health. As an added bonus, the benefits of sustainable packaging will not only improve the quality of life for our generation, but the generations following us.