The Environmental Impact of Packaging: How Your Brand Can Reduce Its Footprint

Sustainability is no longer a catch phrase. Everyone has grown accustomed to companies striving to make the world a safe place to live. One of the biggest polluters and waste makers is packaging. Plastic wrap, cardboard, or disposables – no matter what it is, how things are packaged works to build the world.

But there is good news—brands can make an impact.

In this article, we’ll explore:

The true environmental cost of packaging
Why it matters to your brand and customers
Smart, practical ways to reduce your packaging footprint
Real examples and ideas for sustainable packaging solutions

Let’s begin by understanding the problem.

1. The Hidden Cost of Packaging Waste

Packaging also pervades our lives. From the box your online buy arrives in to the wrapping on the candy bar—it’s everywhere. However, much of the packaging is waste. Packaging accounts for more than 30% of solid waste worldwide, says the World Bank.

The reasons why packaging is not good for the environment:

Landfill Overflow: Garbage in landfills is packed with non-recyclable matter, and decades or centuries may go by before it breaks down.
Ocean Pollution: Plastic packaging ends up getting deposited in oceans and rivers, where it kills wildlife.
Carbon Emissions: Packaging material manufacturing and shipping result in greenhouse gas emissions.
Resource Use: Water, trees, oil, and energy are consumed in producing packaging materials—something we cannot afford to lose.
Cutting down packaging waste is thus an essential measure in preventing climate change and pollution.

2. Why Sustainable Packaging Is Important to Your Brand

Going up is good for the earth, and good for your bottom line too.

Customers Care About Sustainability
Individuals are increasingly purchasing based on values. They do not want to be linked with irresponsible, unsustainable, and unscrupulous businesses.
A 2023 survey by McKinsey found that 70% of shoppers claimed they would pay extra for products with sustainable packaging.

It Boosts Trust and Loyalty

Green packaging illustrates to the world that your business looks after the planet and not merely the bottom line. That fosters credibility, and credibility is the gateway to loyalty.

Regulatory Pressures are Rising

Governments globally are instituting packaging regulations. Some examples are:

EU Packaging Regulation: Prohibits single-use plastics and makes recyclability mandatory.

Pakistan and Green Tax Proposals: Spin businesses into greening through the implementation of green solutions.

Canada and Australia: mandate recycled content packages.

And if your brand isn’t ready, it will be slapped with a penalty or prohibited in key markets.

3. The Packaging Lifecycle: From Raw Material to Waste

In order to really reduce your trace on planet earth, you must consider every step of the process in your package’s life, beginning when it is made and concluding when it is discarded or recycled. It all occurs over a complete process, which is referred to as the packaging life cycle.

Unpacking each of them below:

Raw Materials

What is it:

It is the beginning point—where your package starts.

Ask yourself:

Is this product man-made or natural?
Is it made from renewable materials like bamboo, cornstarch, or recyclable paper?
Or is it made from fossil fuels (petroleum-based plastic)?

Why it matters:

Natural, renewable, and recycled material has a smaller environmental footprint. They use fewer resources and generate less garbage than plastics and newly manufactured materials.

Example:

Producing packages from recycled cardboard rather than new paper saves trees and water.

Production

What does it mean:

This is producing the packaging.

Ask yourself:

How much water, chemicals, and energy do they use?
Are the factories fossil fuel or energy-efficient?
Is there room for toxic chemicals?

Why it matters:

Manufacturing is among the largest carbon producers and polluters. The cleaner and more efficient the path, the healthier the planet.

Example

More energy to produce a glass jar than a paper bag—but if the jar is reused 20 times, it’s worth it.

Transport

What it is:

How your packaging is getting transported—inside the factory, to your warehouse, and out to your customers.

Ask yourself:

Is your packaging light and streamlined?
Does your packaging require special handling, like refrigeration?
Is your packaging made locally or transported thousands of miles around the globe?

Why it matters

The heavier your packaging, the more fuel to get it there. That’s more CO2 emissions. Smaller, lighter packaging equals a lower carbon footprint.

Example:

A lightweight, flexible pouch is a less weighty transportation footprint than a heavy plastic bottle full of air.

Use

What it is:

How your customer is going to use your packaging.

Ask yourself:

Is it disposable or reusable?
Is it packaging the product and reducing waste?
Is it easy and nice to open and keep?

Why it matters:

Reusable or creatively designed packaging saves on new material use. It may also enhance customer satisfaction and the life of the product.

Example:

A reusable glass shampoo bottle is less wasteful than a throwaway plastic bottle.

End Of Life

What it is:

What happens to the packaging after the customer has used it?

Ask yourself:

Can it be recycled, composted, reused, or go to the landfill?
Does your customer have the information to dispose of it correctly?
Does it biodegrade rapidly, or stick around in landfills and oceans for centuries?

Why it matters

Recyclable or compost packages will not pollute. But if it’s difficult to send to the landfill or has multiple materials (like plastic-coated paper), it will most likely find its way into the ocean or landfill.

Example:

A bare paperboard box can be recycled, but one covered in film or foil might not.

Why This Lifecycle Thinking Matters

When you have the lifecycle in mind, you make better choices along the way. A sustainable packaging strategy means:

Choosing more sustainable materials
With cleaner production
Reducing shipping emissions
Designing for reuse
Placing for clean end-of-life

By streamlining each step, you can significantly minimize your brand’s impact on the world—and inspire customers to do the same.

4. Reducing Your Brand’s Packaging Footprint

Lights, camera, action? An everyday do-it-yourself actionable guide with 9 smart tips your brand can start doing today.

Choose Recyclable and Compostable Materials

Start by making the switch to packaging that is recyclable or compostable.

Great options include:

Kraft paper
Cardboard
Water-based-coated paperboard
Corn starch packaging
Mushroom packaging
PLA bioplastics (plant-derived, not fossil-fuel-derived)
Shun multi-layer plastic wrap or anything lined with foil—these cannot be recycled.

Use Less Packaging (Right-Size It)

Gaudy and expensive large boxes and too much plastic wrapping. Reduce your packaging so the product is safe instead.
Reduce unnecessary fillers.
Use an innovative design to hold the item in place.
Provide package-free choices (e.g., returnable containers or bags).
This saves material and shipping costs.

Offer Refillable or Returnable Packaging

One of the newer green packaging trends is reuse. Consider:

Glass jars that customers return or refill.
Tough pouches that ship with refill packets.
Reusable cloth bags or metal tins.
It eliminates single-use packaging in the long run.

Source Materials Locally

When you have packaging materials transported in from far away, you burn fuel, emit gases, and add to your carbon footprint.

Buy packaging materials locally wherever possible to:

Reduce transport emissions
Shorten delivery times

Reduce Inks and Coatings

Gloss finishes and bright inks may be eye-catching, but hazardous chemicals and hard-to-recycle material are typically locked inside them, though.

Instead:

Utilize water- or soy-based inks.
Plain design
No lamination or foil stamping included

Plain designs don’t have to be dull and uncool, particularly when paired with eco-friendly textures such as bamboo or kraft paper.

Go Digital Where Possible

Do you still have some printed guides, receipts, or cards? Use digital guides or QR codes instead.

This minimizes paper usage and offers a more modern feel.

You can add:

Instructions
Product care instructions
Return or guarantee details
A link to your brand history or sustainability promise

Own Your Eco Success

Promote eco success on the pack. Add a note or icon like:

“100% Recyclable”
“Made from 80% Post-Consumer Waste”
“Plastic-Free Packaging”

Alternatively, you can mention:

“We’re committed to reducing our environmental footprint. This pack is 100% recyclable and made with renewable resources.”
This tells consumers in on the secret—and cares.

Work with Eco-Certified Suppliers

Search for suppliers that have specifications like:

FSC-certified paper (sustainably sourced wood)
Cradle to Cradle Certified materials
USDA BioPreferred or OK Compost certification
Carbon-neutral production of packaging
These certification marks make your materials more earth-friendly.

Inspire Customers to Recycle

Make recycling convenient by:

Applying package labelling that lists what can be recycled
Printing slim icons or disposal instructions
Having a “how to dispose” section on the website
You can even provide return rewards and recycling.

5. Examples of Sustainable Packaging in Real Life

Let’s look at some real brands using eco-packaging to steal hearts and reduce waste.

Lush Cosmetics

Has 100% recycled plastic pots
Provides in-store returns and reward points for containers returned
Has a refill for the product and direct selling stores
Sells naked (no packaging) soap and bath bombs

IKEA

uses mushroom-based packaging for breakable items
Uses paper pulp instead of polystyrene
Achieve all the packaging reused or recycled by 2030

Unilever (Love Beauty & Planet, Dove)

Sells refillable deodorant sticks
uses 100% recycled plastic bottles
Committed to cutting virgin plastic use in half
Local Brands in Pakistan

Some organic companies now use cloth bags, jute wraps, or recycled paper boxes

New businesses like eco mailers, rather than plastic wrap on packages

You don’t have to break the bank to go green on yourself. Small steps can contribute greatly.

6. Problems and How to Overcome Them

Greening is great for so many reasons, but sometimes it is difficult. Below are some of the most prevalent issues and how to overcome them:

Challenge solution
Higher upfront cost
Pilot small, single-range, and convey value to customers
Finding local sustainable suppliers
Browse online directories, and have your packaging supplier source greener options.
Consumer confusion over recycling
Print explicit instructions on the packaging or website
Fear of losing design
Use natural, minimalist colors and materials to create an earthy aesthetic

7. The Future of Eco-Packaging

The future is heading full steam towards zero-waste, circular packaging.

Watches to watch:

Edible packaging (go on, give it a try, won’t hurt you!)
Smart packaging that monitors freshness and reduces food waste
Dissolving film to combat plastic wrap
Reusable web shopping mailers
As more and more companies think outside the box, green will no longer be an afterthought—it will be the standard.

Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Difference

Your package is more than just a wrap or box—it’s a message. A statement. A promise.

In becoming sustainable, minimizing packaging, and making recycling easy, you’re telling your customers and neighbours that you care. You don’t need to do them all at once. Start with one. Maybe switch your boxes to recycled kraft paper. Or get rid of plastic filler in packaging. Or offer a refill option. Each step counts. Because when your brand gets lighter, the whole world gets lighter.

Greener Packaging Quick Checklist: