Packaging Reduction Methods

Packaging accounts for 140M+ tons of waste each year. Here are actionable strategies my team has explored with clients to optimize packaging and save costs: First, we start with a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) to identify the environmental hotspots and the most relevant actions to take. That analysis may lead us to many of the actions below. 1. Reduce Material Usage • Lightweight Materials: Use thinner and lighter materials that still provide adequate protection. • Minimal Packaging: Evaluate packaging design to eliminate unnecessary layers and excess space. 2. Use Sustainable Materials • Recycled Content: Opt for materials that are made from post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. • Compostable/Biodegradable Options: Use materials like paper, cornstarch, or bioplastics that decompose naturally. • Renewable Resources: Incorporate plant-based materials like bamboo or hemp. 3. Design for Reuse and Recycling • Single-Material Packaging: Avoid mixing materials (e.g., plastic and metal) to make recycling easier. • Clear Labels: Mark packaging with recycling symbols and instructions to guide consumers. 4. Adopt Circular Economy Principles • Take-Back Programs: Offer incentives for customers to return used packaging for reuse or recycling. • Closed-Loop Systems: Work with suppliers to reclaim and reuse packaging. 5. Choose Responsible Suppliers • Source materials from suppliers that practice sustainable harvesting and manufacturing processes. • Ask suppliers to supply carbon and waste data associated with the packaging they provide. 6. Monitor and Adapt • Conduct Audits: Regularly analyze the environmental impact of your packaging. • Gather Feedback: Engage customers for suggestions on improving packaging. • Stay Updated: Keep abreast of advancements in sustainable packaging materials and technologies. https://lnkd.in/gTbkH_HM

Packaging Takes Off. Back in school, I was the self-appointed queen of paper planes. Naturally curious, I soon realised it wasn't about throwing harder... it was all in the folds. A good crease in the right place and that scrappy bit of paper could fly halfway across the classroom (and sometimes straight into detention). Fast forward, and that same thinking is reshaping packaging. Researchers at VTT and Aalto University in Finland have taken the Miura fold, a pattern originally used to fold satellites, and applied it to paper-based packaging. They've created packs that are lightweight, durable, and just as protective as plastic or foam. Only now, without the environmental baggage. These folds do more than look good. They absorb impact, reduce material use, and even cut shipping weight. No overengineering, just smart problem-solving. Think food boxes that don't need plastic liners. Ecommerce packaging that replaces bubble wrap. Luxury products wrapped in folds that feel more couture than carton. And this isn't just a designer's dream. These structures are scalable, cost-effective, and ready to run down existing production lines. Stora Enso is already testing the approach across everything from premium goods to everyday food containers, using recycled materials and cutting waste. But packaging is just the start. Origami principles are popping up in collapsible furniture, modular buildings, even interior design. Proof that good design isn't just about how it looks. It's how it works. Sustainability and functionality don't need to fight for space. With the right fold, they move together. Sometimes, the sharpest ideas really do start on paper. Time to unfold what's next. 📷VTT Technical Research Centre

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

𝗠𝘆𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 As the world battles the environmental cost of single-use plastics and the staggering volumes of waste from excessive cardboard packaging, one solution is quite literally growing beneath our feet, mycelium. Mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, offers a powerful alternative to conventional packaging materials. When grown under the right conditions, it can be shaped into strong, lightweight, biodegradable forms that match or even outperform polystyrene and cardboard in protection and insulation. And when its job is done? It composts naturally, returning to the earth without leaving a trace. Unlike plastic, which can take centuries to break down, or cardboard, which contributes heavily to deforestation and energy-intensive recycling processes, mycelium grows in days using agricultural waste as its feedstock. It requires no petrochemicals, no heavy industrial processing, and emits a fraction of the carbon. It’s a regenerative material, not just sustainable. From protective packaging for electronics and wine bottles, to insulation panels and construction materials, the scope for this living technology is enormous. And for businesses serious about ESG targets, circular design, and long-term carbon footprint reduction, mycelium isn’t just an innovation, it’s a responsibility. If we are to redesign the future of packaging, we must look to systems that mimic nature, not fight against it. Mycelium doesn’t just reduce waste. It transforms it. Let’s grow a better future, literally. #Mycelium #SustainablePackaging #CircularEconomy #Biotech #PlasticFree #ESG #WasteReduction #GreenInnovation Amazon ASOS.com Argos Temu eBay DPD UK DHL UPS

White smoke on the packaging and packaging waste regulation from the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament ⏰ Following negotiations, the European Parliament and the Council have agreed on key measures for a new regulation on packaging and packaging waste.The European Commission isn't signing yet. 👁️🗨️ Here are the key points of the agreement ⛔ Banning the use of PFAs To prevent adverse health effects, the negotiators secured the introduction of a ban on the use of PFAS in food contact packaging 🙌 Less packaging and restricting certain packaging formats  The agreement sets packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035and 15% by 2040) and requires EU countries to reduce, in particular, the amount of plastic packaging waste. Certain single use plastic packaging formats, such as packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed in cafés and restaurants, individual portions, accommodation miniature packaging for toiletry products and shrink-wrap for suitcases in airports, would be banned from 1 January 2030. Ban on very lightweight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons or provided as primary packaging for loose food to help prevent food wastage. 💫 Encouraging reuse and refill options for consumers Negotiators agreed to set a specific target for reusable packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages by 2030 (at least 10%). Member states may grant a five-year derogation from these requirements under certain conditions. Final distributors of beverages and take-away food in the food service sector would be obliged to offer consumers the option of bringing their own container. They would also be required to endeavour to offer 10% of products in a reusable packaging format by 2030. In addition, at Parliament’s request, member states are required to incentivise restaurants, canteens, bars, cafés and catering services to serve tap water, (where available, for free or for a low service fee) in a reusable or refillable format. 🏹 Recyclable packaging, better waste collection and recycling : negotiators agreed on the minimum recycled content targets for any plastic part of packaging; the minimum recycling targets by weight of packaging waste generated and increased recyclability requirements (criteria to be defined through secondary legislation). 🛠 Deposit return systems : under the new rules, by 2029, member states must ensure the separate collection of at least 90% per annum of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers. To achieve that target, they are required to set up deposit return systems (DRSs) for those packaging formats.   The co-legislators agreed to add an exemption from the requirement to introduce a DRS for member states if they reach a separate collection rate of above 80% in 2026 and if they submit an implementation plan with a strategy for achieving the overarching 90% separate collection target.

how to be sustainable and save on total supply chain costs with good packaging choices: use the least amount of packaging possible that still protects the product in transit -- this creates a natural economy in material use, which lowers fulfillment costs (and 📦 costs) -- which also creates a natural economy in cubic volume, lowering parcel costs -- both of which lower total landed cost, increasing per-order margin and overall profitability it will take a higher degree of upfront effort but this will pay dividends in brand equity and customer experience (less broken packages and air pillow eyesores) as well as total supply chain savings $$ manyfold by getting it right the first time - images below are a great example: from a redesign Lenox stemware to achieve Amazon Frustration Free Packaging certification redesign yielded 78% volume reduction and 83% material weight reduction hard to overstate how significant those numbers are link to case study for those interested in 1st comment (worth a look, it's only 1 page) #packaging #innovation #sustainability #sustainablepackaging #FFP #SIOC #ecommerce #dtc #supplychain

A few weeks ago, I was working with a company shipping thousands of boxes each week through UPS and FedEx. They kept paying steep surcharges they couldn’t quite explain. After a quick dive into their shipping and ops data, the culprit was clear: oversized, loosely filled boxes. They switched to a new packaging setup with right-sized boxes, sturdy walls, and well-placed padding. It was a small switch, but the results were huge. By eliminating wasted space, they slashed dimensional weight costs and avoided extra surcharges. Their parcels traveled more efficiently, reducing damage claims and speeding up delivery times. These were the main changes they made:   • Minimal empty space. This cut down on dimensional charges and kept items from shifting.   • Stackable designs. Carriers handled them faster, which lowered the risk of delay or mishaps.   • Reinforced corners. No more crumpled edges or weak spots, so damages dropped dramatically. Within a week, they were saving thousands in shipping fees. Even better, customers noticed fewer issues, which strengthened trust and repeat sales. Sometimes, a low-tech tweak can have a bigger payoff than new systems or fancy tools. If you’re shipping big volumes and battling unexpected charges or damages, consider reviewing your box designs and packing materials. A few small improvements might lead to major savings—and happier customers. Have you tested any packaging changes lately? #Packaging #Logistics #ShippingTips #Ecommerce #SupplyChain #Transportation #BusinessGrowth #UPS #FedEx #ParcelShipping

🚀 **Maximizing Efficiency in Corrugated Packaging Design** 🚀 In the world of packaging for our Boise, Idaho area accounts, every inch counts—literally! A well-designed corrugated package doesn’t just protect the product; it can also significantly reduce costs if done correctly. One often overlooked yet powerful strategy is utilizing the entire area of a sheet blank. 🔍 **Why is this important?** When a packaging designer optimizes the layout to minimize waste, they not only reduce material costs but also enhance production efficiency. This approach means fewer raw materials are needed, leading to lower costs for both the part and the tooling. Moreover, it contributes to sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with excess material usage. 💡 **The Impact?** - **Cost Savings:** Efficient sheet utilization can lower the cost per unit, making your product more competitive in the market. - **Reduced Tooling Costs:** By minimizing waste, you also decrease the wear and tear on tooling, which extends its life and reduces maintenance costs. - **Sustainability:** Less waste means a smaller carbon footprint—a win for both the planet and your brand’s sustainability goals. Investing in skilled packaging designers who understand the value of full sheet utilization is a smart move for any business looking to stay ahead of the curve in today’s competitive landscape. Let's design smarter, not harder! 🌍📦 #Packaging #Sustainability #Manufacturing