Sustainable packaging: materials and solutions at a glance

Sustainable packaging is no longer a niche topic. Customers expect it, lawmakers require it, and many companies see it as an opportunity for their brand. But which materials and solutions are truly sustainable? Here is an overview.

What makes packaging sustainable?

Sustainability does not depend on the material alone. Sustainable packaging meets several criteria:

• Responsible raw materials: renewable, recycled or from certified sources
• As little material as possible: sufficient protection without excess
• Recyclability: the packaging can be sorted and recycled well after use.
• Product protection: packaging that fails to protect the product ultimately causes more environmental impact through damage and replacement deliveries.

Materials at a glance

Virgin fibre board from certified forestry: board from FSC®-certified sources comes from responsibly managed forests. It is bright, smooth and excellent to print on. More in our article FSC-certified paper.

Recycled board: it is made from waste paper and thus conserves resources. It is economical and well suited to many folding cartons.

Kraft board and kraft paper: they consist of unbleached fibres, are particularly tear-resistant and instantly convey naturalness with their brown look.

Corrugated board: it is light, strong and easy to recycle. For shipping, it is the standard sustainable solution.

Grass paper and alternative fibres: papers containing grass or other plant fibres are an interesting addition. They suit brands that want to make their values visible.

Solutions that make a difference

• Mono-material: packaging made of a single material is the easiest to recycle. More in our article Recyclable packaging.
• Cardboard inserts instead of plastic: they hold products securely and are disposed of with the packaging.
• Well-fitting sizes: less empty space saves material, filling and transport volume. More in our article How to reduce packaging material.
• Mindful finishing: varnishes and small foil accents instead of full plastic lamination
• Paper instead of plastic: paper carrier bags, paper tape and paper padding instead of plastic
• Reusable packaging: sturdy gift boxes are reused by many customers.

Common misconceptions

• “Brown is automatically sustainable.” Not necessarily. What matters is origin, amount of material and recyclability, not the colour.
• “Bioplastic is always better.” Many bio-based plastics cannot be recycled in the normal loop. A closer look is worthwhile here.
• “Sustainable is expensive.” Optimised packaging often even saves money through less material and lower shipping costs.

Legal framework

With the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), requirements for recyclability and material efficiency are rising step by step. Read what this means for you in our article PPWR 2026.

Would you like to make your packaging more sustainable? We use FSC®-certified raw materials and up to 100% recyclable materials. We will be happy to advise you on material, construction and finishing and send you a binding quote within 24 hours.

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