Brands Leading The Sustainable Packaging Agenda

With single-use plastic packaging becoming a burden and harmful to the environment it’s no surprise companies are promptly researching alternative packaging materials. One of the key recyclability problems with packaging is a large volume of packaging contains multi-material packaging which cannot be recycled and therefore causes a challenge from both a recyclability and landfill perspective.

With this in mind, numerous brands worldwide have put procedures and objectives in place in a bid to minimise their carbon footprint, via reducing their use of plastic or virgin materials to reduce their impact on the environment – this is largely driven by modern consumers, governments and environmental concerns. For example, France have put a new law in place banning plastic packaging for a large number of fruit and vegetables forcing brands to introduce alternative packaging materials. Environmental campaigners and infuriated shoppers urge other countries to do the same.

So, let’s have a look at some of the sustainable packaging solutions leading brands have recently introduced to minimise their environmental impacts and enhance their sustainability credentials.

1. Carlsberg – green fibre bottle

Carlsberg are working on developing the world’s first ‘paper’ beer bottle which is made from sustainably-sourced wood fibres which are 100% biobased and recyclable.

2. BrewDog – paper-based vodka bottle

BrewDog are introducing a sustainable vodka to market which is distilled "100% from beer that would otherwise be wasted and packaged in a ground-breaking bottle", according to James Watt, BrewDog co-founder.

3. Smarties – recyclable paper packaging

During 2021, Smarties introduced recyclable paper packaging for its confectionery products worldwide, this strategic change by Nestlé removes approximately 250 million plastic packs sold globally every year.

4. Unilever – recyclable polypropylene mono-material

Another large trend in packaging, to maximise recyclability of materials involves brands switching from multilayer packaging (mixed packaging materials) for example paper, plastics, PE & paper, PET and aluminium foil and more to mono material packaging. Mono material packaging refers to packaging being made out of a single material, which eases recyclability as multilayer packaging materials cannot be recycled. Unilever introducing a recyclable PP mono-material in Turkey for Knorr dry soup powder is a great example of replacing a multi-material laminate, with a recyclable mono-material film alternative.

5. Grupo Modelo – paper alternative to packaging rings

Similar to other beer brands, like Heineken, Modelo has introduced a paper-based alternative to beer plastic packaging rings, which originally amounted to 12 million rings per year. The new paper alternative uses a paperboard clip to hold the beer cans together – it is expected the 4 and 6 pack Corona will follow.

6. BOXED Water – bottled water in a cardboard box

BOXED Water's cartons are made with 100% recyclable materials. They also have a low carbon footprint as BOXED water can be shipped flat to local refilling stations so fewer trucks are required to transport the product.

7. Coca Cola – plant-based bottle

Coca-Cola have developed a new prototype plant-based bottle which is made from plant-based paraxylene (bPX) which has been converted to plant-based terephthalic acid (bPTA). The bPX for this bottle was produced using sugar from corn, though the process lends itself to flexibility in feedstock.

8. All Real Nutrition – compostable packaging

The All Real Nutrition natural protein bars have been launched in compostable packaging to provide consumers with a sustainable option for their health-cautious snack. It is said the packaging is capable of fully breaking down within 26 weeks, based on the efficiency of the compost setting. 

Contact Us

If you are looking for alternative packaging materials to avoidable plastic, or wash off label adhesives for your packaging then our team have materials which can meet your requirements. Simply email info@smcl.co.uk or enquire online.