What is the most environmentally friendly packaging?

Does your brand prioritize sustainability? Then you’ll want your packaging to perfectly align with that goal. But what is the most environmentally friendly packaging? The environmental impact of packaging depends on several factors: the material, its use, recyclability, and even how well your product is protected against spoilage. In this blog, Rob Engelman helps you find the most sustainable packaging that fits your brand and product!

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Rob

Commercial director

Space-saving

Optimal use of space during transportation.

Airtight

Good product protection prevents spoilage

Resealable

Ensure your product can be easily reused multiple times.

One material type

Mono-PP or mono-PE is easy to recycle and future-proof.

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Smaller CO2 footprint

From the store to the end user: how packaging is stored and transported affects both the logistics efficiency and CO2 emissions. Rob says, “If packaging is large or hard to stack, it takes up unnecessary space, leading to extra transport movements.” A flexible packaging solution, like a pouch, offers a smart solution for this. “Unlike rigid packaging, like glass or plastic jars, a pouch adapts to the shape of the product,” says Rob. “This allows more products to fit in one shipment, optimizing the use of available space.” Additionally, pouches are much lighter than traditional packaging. “For 500 grams of supplements, a plastic jar often weighs around 50 grams, whereas a pouch requires much less material. Less weight and more efficient storage mean fewer transport movements, and therefore a smaller CO2 footprint.” Plus, pouches are so compact that they often fit through the mailbox, making them convenient for the consumer and better for the environment!
H2: Preventing food waste

Not only is CO2 emission a global problem, but food waste is also a significant challenge. Rob explains that the right packaging plays a crucial role in preventing this. “Overly large packaging increases the risk of a product spoiling before it is fully consumed. This leads to not only wasting the food itself but also wasting all the resources used to produce it, such as water, energy, and agricultural land.” How can you prevent food waste with your packaging? Rob says, “Good packaging should be made from airtight materials that protect against oxygen, moisture, and light—the three main causes of spoilage. Additionally, it’s important that the packaging is resealable. This way, the consumer can easily use the product multiple times without the quality deteriorating. Pouches offer plenty of opportunities for this.”

Mono-material (mono-PE or mono-PP)

So, what is an environmentally friendly packaging solution? Rob explains: “Many packages are made from multiple materials—such as plastic with a layer of metal or paper. These combinations are difficult to recycle and often end up in the general waste, which is a shame. What you can do instead is choose packaging made from one material (mono-material), such as mono-PE or mono-PP. These are plastics made entirely from a single raw material, making them easy to recycle. They are lightweight, flexible, and ideal for various products. This helps reduce waste and CO2 emissions without compromising on quality.”

Legislation

In addition to a sustainable brand strategy, you also need to consider legislation. From 2030, all packaging in Europe must comply with the new PPWR regulation and be economically recyclable. “This is intended to make packaging less harmful to the environment and improve recycling,” Rob explains. So, what is an environmentally friendly and future-proof packaging solution? “A mono-material pouch, such as PE or PP. This type of packaging not only helps reduce CO2 emissions but also makes recycling much easier.”

  • Lower costs & less CO₂ emissions

    Due to their light weight, these pouches save on transport costs and take up less space. More efficient and sustainable than glass or rigid plastic containers.

  • Strong product protection

    They offer optimal protection against moisture, oxygen and light, extending the shelf life of your product.

  • Attractive look & branding

    Mono-material pouches can be transparent, allowing consumers to see the contents. They are also excellent for printing with high-quality designs and texts. Moreover, they stand on their own and are resealable, increasing convenience.

    Are you looking for a sustainable and future-proof stand-up pouch? Then get in touch with Rob!

Customer stories

”Direct contact with design studio is unique”

Customers appreciate that the pouches fit through the mailbox

Need advice?

Are you having trouble sorting things out? Or do you need advice regarding which type of packaging is suitable for your product?

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