Packaging Waste Reduction Initiatives

Shared For Good. When it comes to sustainability, packaging is a shared challenge. It doesn't matter if you're a global brand or a local startup, everyone faces the same questions: How do we reduce waste? Cut emissions? Design for reuse? Yet, too often, the answers stay locked behind proprietary patents and competitive walls. What if there was a better way? Open-source innovation has transformed industries from software to medicine. It thrives on collaboration, transparency, and the idea that progress accelerates when we share what works. Why not apply that same mindset to packaging? Instead of each company reinventing the wheel, what if we pooled ideas, materials, and systems to create solutions that benefit everyone... and the planet? Take materials. If a company develops a compostable film that performs as well as traditional plastic, why not share that breakthrough? Scaling sustainable materials across industries could drastically reduce the environmental impact of packaging worldwide. Open-source initiatives could also drive standardisation, making recycling systems easier to process and helping consumers understand what they're buying and recycling. Collaboration could go beyond materials. Think reusable packaging systems. Right now, brands trial their own closed-loop programs in isolation, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency. What if these systems were designed around shared logistics and infrastructure? Deposit return schemes, refill stations, or reusable delivery boxes could become more widespread and effective with unified efforts. Open-source is about efficiency, not just altruism. Solving sustainability in silos is slow and expensive. Sharing research, data, and best practices would allow us to innovate faster, avoid duplication, and focus on scaling the best solutions. Of course, there are challenges. Can we ever truly share? Business thrives on competitive advantage. Protecting intellectual property is crucial, and often, it's the secret sauce that drives growth. How do we reconcile that with the larger goal of sustainability? But sustainability is bigger than competition. It's about survival. In the face of a global waste crisis, the benefits of collaboration outweigh the risks of sharing. Google's decision to go open-source with its plastic-free packaging guide for the Pixel 8 is a great example. Instead of keeping their process a secret, they shared it with the world, laying out the materials, methods, and suppliers involved. They encouraged everyone - including their competitors - to follow suit. Packaging innovation shouldn't be a zero-sum game. By collaborating, brands can pave the way for real, systemic change. It's time to stop asking, "What's in it for us?" and start asking, "What's in it for everyone?" Could open-source innovation transform packaging sustainability, or are the barriers too big to break down? 📷Google

Eliminating plastic waste in food packaging at a fraction of production cost? The food industry is a significant contributor to plastic waste, with packaging accounting for approximately 40.5% of all plastic produced in Europe. In the UK alone, supermarkets generate around 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic waste annually, equating to over 1,000 pieces per household. This excessive plastic use not only leads to environmental pollution but also poses health risks, as microplastics have been found in various food products, potentially causing inflammation and other health issues. Transitioning to seaweed-based packaging offers several cost-saving benefits for the food industry: →Reduced Raw Material Costs: Seaweed is renewable and doesn’t need land, fertilisers, or fresh water, cutting production expenses. Example: Seaweed farming can yield up to 10 tons of dry mass per hectare annually. →Lower Waste Management Expenses: Biodegradable and compostable, seaweed packaging reduces disposal costs. Example: The UK spends around £700 million annually on plastic waste disposal. →Decreased Environmental Compliance Costs: Eco-friendly packaging helps meet regulations, avoiding fines. Example: The EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive drives sustainable packaging adoption. →Enhanced Brand Value and Consumer Appeal: Sustainable packaging boosts reputation and sales. Example: 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options. →Potential for Government Incentives: Sustainable practices can earn grants or tax breaks. Example: The UK Plastic Packaging Tax incentivises biodegradable alternatives like seaweed. Example project is Citizens of Soil | B Corp that has introduced single-serve pipettes for their Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, utilising Notpla's seaweed-based materials that are 100% natural, biodegradable, home-compostable, vegan, and even edible. This innovative packaging aligns with their commitment to sustainability, offering consumers a convenient and eco-friendly way to enjoy premium olive oil. By adopting Notpla's solution, Citizens of Soil aims to reduce their environmental footprint and address plastic pollution in the food industry. Good to the economy and the planet. #oliveoil #food #sustainability #decarbonisation #waste #wastemanagement

Want to hear about a $4.7B opportunity that's about to change everything? After months of deep research across Queensland's Bowen Basin, our team at Coreo has uncovered something extraordinary. While 58 mining operations have been managing their waste streams separately, we've proven there's a transformative alternative, and the numbers are staggering. The opportunity: A Multi-Mine Circular Resource Recovery Facility that could unlock up to $4.7 billion in 10-year net present value while diverting over 110,000 tonnes of waste from landfill annually. This isn't just another sustainability project. It's a complete reimagining of how an entire industry can collaborate to turn so-called waste into wealth. From timber pallets to mining tyres, from food scraps to diesel filters, we've identified 23 circular solutions that transform today's disposal costs into tomorrow's revenue streams. The validation speaks volumes: the The World Bank is preparing to tender for this work based on our comprehensive prospectus. When global institutions recognise the scalability and impact potential of a regional Australian innovation, you know something special is happening. To every stakeholder who poured their expertise into this 104-page blueprint: this recognition belongs to you. We've proven that rigorous analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and systems thinking can unlock value that others said was impossible. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from asking the simplest question: What if we stopped working in isolation? The future of mining isn't just about what we take from the ground – it's about what we choose to give back to the system.

Refillable packaging: Unlocking mass adoption. Consumer unfriendliness is the No.1 reason refills fail. It’s a strategic imperative for beauty brands aiming to connect with eco-conscious consumers. Despite clear benefits, friction persists. Scaling requires removing emotional and practical barriers. The global refillable packaging market, valued at $42.5B in 2023, is set to reach $53.6B by 2027 (CAGR 6%), yet adoption remains limited beyond early users. >>Offer tangible INCENTIVES<< Build loyalty programs around refill usage, offer discounts, cashback, or exclusive perks for bringing back containers or purchasing refills. Make the economic benefit visible. For example, L’Occitane reports that 90% of its eco-refill users return due to cost savings alone. +74% Gen Z consumers say they are more likely to be loyal to brands that reward sustainability behaviors. >>SIMPLIFY Customer Journey<< Make it as easy as buying new. Remove friction with subscriptions, simple e-commerce, clear refill stations, and mobile support like QR codes. For example, a pilot by Unilever, simplifying the refill station process led to a 54% increase in repeat usage. +39% consumers cite inconvenience as the main reason they avoid refills. >>Communicate: Radical CLARITY<< Educate consistently with signage, staff, social media, and tutorials. Tackle hygiene concerns and be transparent, especially in beauty. 78% Gen Z want to know exactly how sustainability claims are delivered. +Only 28% consumers fully understand how refillable systems work. >>Overcome psychological BARRIERS<< Use behavioral nudges to frame refills as smart, ethical, and cool. Ease entry with reminders, trials, and starter kits. Rebrand refills as “recharge” or “reset” to fit lifestyle identity, key for Gen Z, who value purpose-driven choices and routine-friendly solutions. >>Create a CULTURE of Refill<< Make refillables part of the brand's community narrative. Spotlight real users in your social media. Use UGC, testimonials, and influencer partnerships to normalize refill culture. +32% higher conversion rates for refillable lines in Brands using social proof tactics. >>Design for APPEAL<< Make refill packaging premium, ergonomic, and stylish. Gen Z and Millennials value aesthetics as much as ethics. Think luxury materials, modular formats, and personalization. Fenty Beauty, for example, turns refills into fashion statements. +67% consumers say refill packaging lacks the design appeal. Final Thoughts: Refill is a movement, if friction is removed. Objections are design and communication challenges. To go mainstream, make sustainability the easy choice: incentivize, educate, simplify, and celebrate reuse. Find my curated search of examples and get inspired for your next success. Featured brands: Aime Wild Susanne Kaufamann Stich Make Sense Fenty Edone Maya Happy Me Laneige Fara Homidi Fils #beautybusiness #beautyprofessionals #sutainablepackaging #refillablepackaging

A recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst challenges the common consumer belief that glass is the most sustainable packaging for orange juice. The study evaluated consumer preferences and found that 45% of participants identified glass as the most sustainable option. The research, led by environmental health scientist Alicia Timme-Laragy, indicates that glass has the highest environmental impact due to its energy-intensive production and recycling processes. The research compared the environmental impact of various packaging materials and concluded that cartons are the most sustainable choice, followed by plastic, aluminium, and then glass. Take a look at the full research here and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/eDp-J8am #packaging

To create the system-wide change needed to address some of the more complex sustainability challenges facing our planet, you need to have a bold vision and turn it into bold action. In Romania, we’ve seen what that looks like through an incredible collaboration among business, governments and communities to create the largest circular economy project in the country – and it’s working. In 2023, PepsiCo was among the companies who initiated and invested in the creation of a fully integrated Deposit Return System (DRS) for beverage packaging in Romania. Working across industries and with local government in an effort to increase collection and recycling rates, the DRS system is now a year old, and the impact is evident. According to the system administrator RetuRO SGR, more than 3 billion packages were collected, and more than 200,000 metric tons of materials were sent to recyclers in the one year since the DRS was created. New habits are also being formed, with six out of 10 Romanians regularly returning their packaging and monthly collection rates of beverage packaging hitting record highs of over 80% in September and October. These results are a testament to cross-sector and cross-industry collaboration to implement a system-wide solution for a system-wide challenge. It’s a lesson in what’s required to scale wider progress. #pepsicopositive

When you're delivering millions of parcels daily, every gram of packaging matters. That’s why we prioritize getting orders to our customers quickly, safely, and with the least amount of packaging necessary. In fact, since 2015, we’ve eliminated over 3 million metric tons of packaging material - that’s about the weight of 295 Eiffel Towers. And we’re not stopping there.   Here’s how we’re rethinking packaging at Amazon: 📦 Ships in product packaging. Over 1 billion shipments since 2019 have gone out in their original product packaging - no extra Amazon box, just a label. Simple, effective, and better for the planet. 📦 Smarter packaging with automation. We're using automated machines that custom-build boxes and paper bags in real time. That means less waste, fewer emissions, and more deliveries per trip. 📦 Lighter, right-sized options. We prioritize flexible paper bags and envelopes, up to 89% lighter than rigid boxes. With the help of AI, we tailor packaging to each item’s needs, ensuring it’s protected - but not overpacked. In 2022, we stopped packing products in single-use plastic delivery bags across our European distribution network and all our delivery packaging across Europe is recyclable.   These innovations help us meet customer expectations while cutting down on waste for millions of orders. Learn more about Amazon's sustainable packaging initiatives on EU About Amazon. Less Packaging. Less Waste. Same Smile. https://lnkd.in/dECG_HyQ

Ever noticed those little triangular symbols with numbers (like 1, 4, 5, or 7) on your food packaging? They're not just for show—they're Resin Identification Codes (RIC), and they tell you about the type of plastic used to make packaging for that food product. What's The Backstory ? They’ve been helping sort recyclables since 1988. Developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now Plastics Industry Association) in the U.S. and now maintained by ASTM International, RICs are a technical standard for identifying plastic resins. While they look like the recycling symbol, they're actually different—originally marked by arrows forming a triangle, some are now solid triangles. The system was created to help recyclers and materials recovery facilities sort plastics efficiently, preserving the value of materials for reuse. I have mostly found no.1,4,5,& 7 on packaged foods. But there are seven of them. Here's what they all mean: ◆ 1 (PET or PETE): Common in beverage bottles and food packaging. Lightweight and recyclable but best suited for single use to prevent degradation. ◆ 2 (HDPE): Found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent containers, and grocery bags. Sturdy, moisture-resistant, and widely recyclable. ◆ 3 (PVC): Used in cling wrap, blister packs, and some food packaging. Durable but rarely recyclable and may leach harmful chemicals. ◆ 4 (LDPE): Found in plastic bags, wraps, and squeeze bottles. Flexible and tough but not always recyclable curbside. ◆ 5 (PP): Used in yogurt tubs, food containers, straws, and caps. Heat-resistant, durable, and often recyclable—generally a safer choice. ◆ 6 (PS): Common in foam cups, takeout containers, and plastic cutlery. Lightweight but difficult to recycle and may leach styrene, a potential health hazard. ◆ 7 (Other): A catch-all category for "other plastics," including polycarbonate and biodegradable types. Some may contain BPA, a known health concern. Proceed with caution. #plasticsafety #plasticawareness

As we approach the 2025 horizon, it's clear that the packaging sustainability landscape is undergoing a major recalibration. The latest report from RaboResearch reveals a shift from idealistic goals to grounded strategies—driven by infrastructure gaps, cost pressures, and fragmented regulations. What does this mean for us in sustainability leadership? ✅ It’s time to move beyond symbolic targets and embrace performance-driven, policy-aligned innovation. ✅ Plastic packaging producers must evolve from suppliers to strategic partners—offering agility, transparency, and real-world solutions. ✅ Circularity will be defined by outcomes, not inputs. Functionality, traceability, and lifecycle impact are the new metrics. The future of sustainable packaging isn’t fading—it’s maturing. Let’s lead with realism, resilience, and readiness. #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #PackagingInnovation #BusinessStrategy #PlasticPackaging #EPR https://lnkd.in/ewggQTpP

Did you know that 80% of a company’s environmental impact comes from its supply chain? What is your company doing about it?   Let me tell you a story about a company struggling with inefficiencies in its supply chain.   They were focused solely on cost-cutting and speed, often at the expense of environmental and social responsibility. Waste was high, energy usage was through the roof, and employee morale was low.   They didn’t measure their impact because, frankly, they didn’t think it mattered. Sound familiar?   But today. That same company has transformed its approach. They started by measuring their carbon footprint, energy use, and waste.   They implemented scorecards for suppliers, focusing on sustainability metrics like carbon emissions, labor practices, and community engagement.   They even partnered with other companies to share resources and knowledge.   The result?   1️⃣ A 30% reduction in energy costs. 2️⃣ A 20% increase in employee satisfaction. 3️⃣ A stronger, more resilient supply chain.   This isn’t just their story it’s the future of supply chains everywhere.   Here’s how you can start making a difference, no matter where you are in your career:   ✅ Understand Your Supply Chain. ✅ Measure What Matters. ✅ Build Transparency. ✅ Collaborate. ✅ Think Long-Term.   Why does this matter?   Because sustainability isn’t just a buzzword it’s the future of business.   Companies like Walmart and GE are already demanding sustainability metrics from their suppliers those who don’t adapt risk being left behind.   But here’s the thing:   sustainability isn’t just about compliance or competition. It’s about creating a world where businesses thrive because they care about the planet, their people, and their communities.   So,   What’s one small step you can take today to make your supply chain more sustainable?   ♻️ Repost if you found this insightful!   #Sustainability #SupplyChain