4 Popular Types of Eco-Friendly Packaging

With increased awareness about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and decreasing our use of fossil fuels, eco-friendly packaging is quickly growing in popularity. Almost 30% of all municipal solid waste is plastic and packaging, resulting in a large carbon footprint. Recycling programs have helped reduce the amount of plastic waste, but non-biodegradable plastics still account for most of the waste produced in this country. Therefore, many recyclable products are simply packaged with more material that could be simply thrown in the garbage, making “green packaging” a more appropriate term. The term “green packaging” is often used to describe a range of options available to help consumers minimize their impact on the environment.

One type of eco-friendly packaging is cardboard, which has a very small carbon footprint compared to most plastics. Cardboard can be re-used in so many other ways, as it is lightweight and highly durable, which means you can place it around the house on numerous items without having to worry about damaging the item. This is particularly helpful for items such as cookies and snack mixes that often come with a cardboard sleeve that can be torn or crumpled. Using an alternative like cardboard is important to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint, even if it isn’t used in a way that would cause significant harm to the environment.

Another type of eco-friendly packaging is packaging made out of recycled paper, which you can read more about in this eco packaging guide. A lot of packaging today is made from materials that have had some processing, and this includes paper. If you choose to use this type of packaging, make sure you choose a brand that is highly recommended for this purpose, as they often use superior recycled paper that won’t degrade as quickly as regular paper would.

The third type of eco-friendly packaging materials is food grade plastic. These are specially-made containers that meet the requirements set forth by the FDA for foods. They are manufactured out of food grade plastic that is heat-treated to be at an even higher strength than standard plastic, which means that it will not decompose and release harmful chemicals into the air when it is eventually disposed of. Food grade plastic is widely used for a wide number of different products in the US, including cups, plates, napkins, plastic bags, and other items that people typically consume every day.

One final type of eco-friendly packaging material that is commonly used is recycled paper. Reclaimed paper can be an excellent source of packaging material, especially if the production process used to create it washes away the majority of the used substance. However, this type of packaging material will not have as much of a negative impact on the environment as traditional packaging materials. In addition to being a great and cheap alternative to traditional packaging, recycled paper can actually help to sustainably create a sustainable society. This is because a good portion of recycled paper is used to make packaging for foods and other goods that are consumed in our communities.

Many small businesses are often forced to choose between investing in eco-friendly packaging and investing in other forms of packaging. Small business start ups need all the help they can get when it comes to choosing the best way to go about getting started. Thankfully, there are a number of great resources that are available online to help businesses with small business packaging. This includes helping small businesses find the best options for eco-friendly packaging and developing sustainable packing strategies.

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