In 2021 alone, the US had 40 million tonnes of estimated municipal plastic waste. However, emerging plastic packaging alternatives could seriously reduce this figure, and they come straight from natural sources.
Plant-based packaging could replace polyethylene and cardboard packaging. But what is it? Which companies should we purchase from to support the removal of non-sustainable packaging materials from the industry?
Read on as we explore the 5 most popular plant-based packaging alternatives and the companies leading the way with sustainable packaging.
5 Types Of Plant-Based Packaging Alternatives
Plant-based packaging can’t be reduced to a singular model. There are many different sources of plant-based packaging, all cheap to produce and completely renewable.
Here are some examples of the materials used for plant-based packaging:
- Bioplastics: These plastics are derived from natural sources like cornstarch, and the biological materials used can create polymers with similar properties to plastic.
- Cellulose: The bioplastics made using cellulose are typically sourced from softwood trees, a renewable source.
- Mycelium: Mushrooms have mycelium, a root system, and a communication network underneath the ground. Mushroom mycelium can be used to produce packaging materials, and it is both easy to source and renewable.
- Seaweed: Seaweed’s high polysaccharide content makes it a perfect choice for sustainable packaging. Since it is an abundant and renewable source, mass production will not damage the environment.
- Algae: Algae is ever-growing and completely renewable. By switching out plastics for algae, you can cut costs, as algae is very inexpensive to cultivate and can yield high-quality packaging.
From mushrooms to corn and algae, there are plenty of plant-based packaging types that can help us to shop more sustainably.
Popular Plant-Based Packaging Products
So, you want to change your life and make more sustainable packaging choices when shopping. Here are some plant-based packaging alternatives for purchasing your everyday consumer products.
JUST Water
We simply can’t discuss sustainable and plant-based packaging without mentioning JUST Water. Sustainable food and beverage packaging is one of the best places to start when reducing global plastic waste – it’s a staple to daily life.
Many people choose bottled water due to the chemicals and pH of tap water at home, so eliminating it from their lives completely just isn’t an option.
JUST Water provides a guilt-free way to enjoy pure and healthy water at home without contributing to plastic waste. The caps on the bottle are sourced from sugarcane, and the bottles are made from cardboard. Both are completely renewable and plant-based sources.
Whether you prefer flavored, sparkling, or still water, you can access it without contributing to fossil fuel consumption by choosing JUST Water. You can order in bulk and completely eliminate plastic water bottles from your everyday life.
BULLDOG Men’s Grooming
BULLDOG is the first men’s grooming company to use sugarcane instead of plastic in their products. Sugarcane is completely renewable and needs little more than rainfall and sunlight to grow. Since the sugar industry is so vast, many companies can create bioplastics by sourcing sugarcane from industry biowaste, cutting costs.
Although they haven’t been able to completely eliminate the use of plastic in their packaging, at least 50% of the packaging is created using sugarcane to ease consumers’ concerns about their carbon footprints.
The company is well-known and highly popular in the UK, available in most drugstores. It offers grooming products from shaving foam to moisturizer and face wash – all without the plastic!
Topiary Shrine Candle
The topiary shrine candle is made using specialist mushroom packaging. Its vibrant green color makes it a popular choice for a more eccentric home look. You can burn this candle for over 50 hours to get your money’s worth. At dusk, your home will smell like smokey incense.Â
Since many candle lovers simply can’t live without candles and don’t have the time to master at-home candle-making with sustainable ingredients, this makes a great alternative to less sustainable options.
Botanica
Botanica is a cannabis provider in the US that offers cannabis in completely renewable and compostable pouches sourced from plants. Their marijuana packaging is airtight and uses no virgin plastics. By making this switch, the company was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 70%.Â
Should cannabis be a part of your daily, weekly, or monthly rituals, you may wish to source your stash from a company that puts sustainability at the helm.
Summary
Making little changes in your daily routine can make a global difference. The onus is on both companies and consumers to transition away from non-renewable packaging materials. If you’re ready to end the age of plastic, check out some of the products listed above. You might find a suitable alternative to the products you use every day!
Faisal Ur Rehman is SEO advisor at Reusable Packaging News and co-owner and content editor at Forklift News. He brings more than six years of hands-on experience with Blue Box Packaging, a U.S. custom box manufacturer, where he gained firsthand knowledge of packaging production processes and manufacturing equipment. Faisal has also worked with Reusable Packaging News for more than four years. His coverage includes packaging compliance, reusable transport packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, material handling and supply chain logistics. Connect with Faisal on LinkedIn or view his journalist profile on Muck Rack.
