For decades, bubble wrap and packing peanuts ruled the world of shipping, providing the cushy protection packages needed in transit. Yet as awareness of environmental issues grew, the packaging industry experienced surges in sustainable innovations to follow suit. Enter the exciting revolution in paper packaging – a shift towards plastic alternatives that prioritize both protection and our planet.
The popular movement, often referred to as packaging “paperization,” involves transitioning from traditional plastics to paper or paper-based substitutes. This evolution is fueled by rising consumer demand for sustainable alternatives and regulatory pressures to mitigate plastic waste.
In recent years, the damaging effects of microplastics (microscopic bi-products of decaying plastics) on the planet has raised alarm bells in the scientific and healthcare communities. They pollute landfills, air, and freshwater sources, and even food with direct consequences for both the environment and public health.
As knowledge of the harmful effects of microplastics increases, consumers are progressively favoring products from companies that utilize recyclable paper packaging. Many are even willing to pay extra for products that employ sustainable packaging options. However, the switch does raise important questions about the pros and cons of these materials and their practical application in the industry.
Advantages
Utilizing paper in packaging offers numerous benefits, including reduced plastic waste, a lower carbon footprint, and compostability in some cases. Additionally, advances in barrier technologies now enable paper composites to meet the demanding requirements of food and other sensitive products, providing protection against moisture, grease, oxygen, and light.
- Recyclability: When comparing end-user recyclability, paper has a significantly higher recycling rate than plastics. It’s much easier for consumers to recycle these materials due to established recycling infrastructure and public knowledge of the recycling process.
- Renewability: While plastics derive from finite petroleum resources, paper comes from trees – a renewable resource when harvested through sustainable forestry practices. Many paper manufacturers now source from certified sustainable forests where replanting ensures continuous resource availability.
- Brand Building: Paper packaging is helping brands build an accountable reputation among consumers, representing them as environmentally responsible companies. With so much negative press surrounding plastic packaging, brands that offer paper solutions are significantly differentiating themselves in crowded industries.
- Versatility: Paper packaging offers excellent flexibility across various product categories. Innovations in coatings, structural design and manufacturing have expanded paper’s applications to include moisture-resistant options and insulated containers.
Concerns
- Cost: Plastics are traditionally cheaper than paper or paper-based alternatives, requiring less energy and fewer resources in its production process.
- Strength: Paper-based packaging sometimes requires more material to achieve the same strength and durability as plastic, potentially leading to increased material use to achieve the same quality.
- Paper-based Hurdles: Challenges persist with so called “smart papers”, which are paper-based resources that often contain less fiber than traditional papers. This can complicate recycling due to materials like waxes and polymers in the pulp mix that disrupt recycling streams, resulting in lower-quality recycled products with weaker properties.
- Application: As plastic packaging is still relevant globally, transitioning to paper-based packaging can require substantial initial investments for companies relying solely on plastic packaging for their supply chain.
As the industry navigates the shift toward a more sustainable future, the move to paper packaging represents more than just a substitute for plastic; it embodies a significant, transformative step in the global push for sustainability.
While it is important to consider challenges such as transition costs, there are potential long-term advantages associated with paper packaging that can contribute to cost savings and sustainability efforts. Weighing the immediate hurdles against these possible benefits, it becomes evident that investing in paper packaging could be a viable option for those seeking to enhance their approach to a circular economy. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on what aligns best with the customer’s specific needs and goals. Premier is here to help you navigate the paper vs. plastic packaging waters as we have extensive knowledge with both substrates. We know it can be a daunting process, so reach out with your questions and let’s work as a team to get you in the right packaging!