Renewable Plastics Packaging: A Collaborative Path Toward Sustainability

There is still no silver bullet for sustainable plastic packaging. While environmental sustainability goals are clear, it’s easy to focus on the challenges—ongoing development, infrastructure limitations, the need for diverse solutions across various applications, high costs of “green” alternatives, and the complexities of compostable packaging. The bottom line is that achieving better performance at lower costs is difficult. Support for circularity, emissions reductions, minimizing carbon footprints, conducting life-cycle analyses, and avoiding greenwashing is a complex maze. However, the good news is that successes are growing. Brand owners, retailers, and producers are more often willing to share their achievements in this space. The old saying seems to hold: competitors are willing to share only when it comes to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and credit. Collaboration in the realm of renewable sustainable plastics packaging can truly be a win-win for all involved. Reduction, “light-weighting,” reuse, recycling, composting, and the use of renewable materials all play crucial roles in achieving circularity and reducing emissions. The most successful solutions often leverage a combination of these approaches. With no one-size-fits-all solution, this blog focuses on renewable-based plastics packaging and sustainable solutions, with an emphasis on corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goal deliverables and opportunities for low-hanging fruit. Renewable materials, derived from replenishable natural resources like plants, agricultural waste, or biomass, offer significant benefits in reducing the carbon footprint of production. Bioplastics made from plant sources, for example, tend to have lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics. By transitioning to renewable materials, companies reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, which are a major contributor to climate change. Renewable materials not only help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions but also align with global sustainability goals. The overall emissions savings, however, depend on factors like land use, agricultural practices, and how these materials are managed at the end of their lifecycle. By closing the loop and replenishing natural resources, renewable materials provide a viable pathway forward. Sustainable farming plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions for brand owners in the food and consumer goods sectors. Environmentally friendly agricultural practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage, and precision agriculture minimize greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil health and increasing carbon sequestration. Sustainable soybean farming is a prime example of success. By adopting low-carbon farming practices, such as limiting soil disturbance and optimizing fertilizer use, farmers are contributing to lower overall emissions within the agricultural supply chain. Many brand owners are committed to supporting regenerative agricultural practices, further promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Through sourcing from sustainable soybean farms, companies not only support eco-friendly practices but also achieve notable reductions in their carbon footprints. Brand owners have an opportunity to meet near-term sustainability goals by sourcing packaging materials made from renewable biobased materials, including bioplastics, inks, and adhesives. While there are challenges related to durability, shelf life, and compatibility with existing recycling systems, compostable plastic packaging offers significant sustainability benefits where industry support is available. For instance, compostable plastics made with ultra-fine renewable post-industrial cellulose powder filler from cup and paper plate trim scrap have shown promising potential to deliver performance at lower costs. Additionally, transitioning to renewable-based inks and adhesives for both plastic and paper packaging can provide near-term ESG goal deliverables and performance advantages. The use of credible eco-labels and sustainability certifications, such as the USDA BioPreferred biobased material certification and BPI Certified Compostable (Biodegradable Products Institute), gives brand owners the opportunity to communicate their commitment to sustainability. Clearly labeling products as “sustainably sourced,” “low-carbon,” or “deforestation-free” can enhance brand value and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. By addressing the challenges and embracing collaborative solutions, the journey toward sustainable plastic packaging is filled with possibilities for innovation and progress. It’s a path that requires ongoing commitment, but one that ultimately leads to significant environmental and business rewards.