Sustainable Packaging Roundup
According to Research and Markets, the global market for sustainable packaging is estimated to increase from $278.1 billion in 2023 to $391.1 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% from 2024 through 2029.
Source: Research and Markets
Consumer preference for sustainably packaged products is helping fuel this market growth and is also directly influencing growth in consumer packaged goods (CPGs). Data from the 2023 Sustainable Market Share Index™ finds that products marketed as sustainable are responsible for nearly a third of the growth in CPGs from 2013 to 2023, and market share growth continues year over year.
As product sustainability becomes a growing priority for shoppers, the landscape of food packaging is shifting to recyclable materials that reduce waste, conserve resources, promote a circular economy, and minimize harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Brands across the globe are increasingly shifting to environmentally friendly packaging, incorporating sustainable materials that reduce their environmental footprint.
Let’s take a closer look at the latest news on how brands are working to transform their packaging to support sustainability:
Hot Pockets recently streamlined packaging by removing the paperboard sleeves from its snack packaging. According to a press release, this packaging update helps reduce waste, saving an estimated five million pounds of paper waste each year.
Source: McDonald’s
Albertsons launched Bee Lightly wines in a unique flat bottle design crafted from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This recyclable material is 87% lighter than the material used for traditional glass bottles. The flat packaging design has
a smaller environmental footprint compared to conventional wine bottle shapes, reducing transportation related emissions and enhancing logistic efficiency by enabling the transportation of nearly twice as many products on a single pallet.
McDonald’s recently gave its McFlurry a makeover with updated packaging. The company said it is
stepping up its commitment to sustainability by phasing out plastic McFlurry cup lids. Both the Mini and Regular McFlurry will now be served in a more environmentally friendly four-flap cup, which will help reduce waste and advance the company’s goal of sourcing 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by the end of 2025.
Cabot Creamery is debuting a new wrap made of 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) film for all its flagship 8 oz cheese bars. This packaging is expected to result in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel requirements by up to 25%. Consumers can expect to see the new packaging in stores by the end of this year.
Vital Proteins recently announced that it is transitioning its collagen peptides from plastic packaging to an 80% paperboard canister. According to the company, this marks the first
Source: Aldi Newbury Extension
significant packaging change in its 10+ year history, and a category-first packaging design. The paper-based tub will reduce more than 90% of plastic use across all Vital Proteins canister offerings – or roughly 4 million pounds.
Aldi has introduced paper packaging on its Everyday Essentials Porridge Oats in all UK stores.
That means all the supermarket’s porridge oat products are now free of plastic packaging, including its Everyday Essentials, Organic and Scottish Porridge Oats. The company notes that this move is part of the supermarket’s target to reduce plastic packaging by 50% by 2025 and follows a switch to 100% recyclable cardboard packaging on all own-brand porridge pots last year.
The EEASY Lid, the first jar lid innovation in more than 80 years, is helping brands make the shift to more sustainable packaging.
Made of recyclable aluminum, the EEASY Lid is an innovative packaging solution that appeals to a growing market of eco-conscious consumers. The EEASY Lid is designed to help brands enhance sustainability, support circularity, and reduce waste.
In a market landscape where sustainable packaging is a consumer imperative, the EEASY Lid is a sustainable packaging differentiator that gives brands a powerful competitive advantage.
Contact us today to learn more about the sustainability advantage of the EEASY Lid.