With an ever-expanding public consciousness surrounding the wider environmental impact of our daily choices, a mammoth 53% of consumers report now using less disposable plastic compared to last year - a revolution being labelled ‘The Attenborough Effect’.

With estimates that at least 8 million pieces of plastic are deposited into the ocean each day, there’s still substantially more to be done - but with half of digital consumers saying that environmental concerns directly impact their purchasing decisions, there is already an observable shift in consumer behaviour towards more sustainable, greener practice. But what does that mean for the future of packaging? What packaging trends can we expect to see develop as a result of this new mentality? Will eco packaging become the leading packaging type? Let’s take a closer look…

Less single-use plastic 

Undoubtedly the most significant change within the packaging industry will be the significant drop in the use of single-use plastics in favour of more eco-friendly packaging solutions. With a shocking 50% of plastic only being used once, single-use plastics are one of the primary causes of an increasingly damaged ecosystem. As a result, expect to see a rapid decline in the use of single-use plastics within product packaging - an initiative already being implemented by leading brands such as Sainsbury’s. 

The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, and most obviously, the reduction in single-use plastics is a result of the acceptance of the ethical obligation we have to the planet. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly within the corporate sphere, is the fact that the use of eco packaging can be an effective marketing tool for brands looking to appeal to an evolving consumer base, with the small extra cost of investing in recyclable and biodegradable packaging being far outweighed by the subsequent profits of increased sales. 

More eco-friendly packaging 

With many customers actively avoiding single-use plastic packaging, expect to see a sharp uprise in the use, and subsequent promotion of, more environmental alternatives from businesses both big and small.   

There are already a whole host of eco-friendly packaging solutions available on the market. Our eco packaging range, for example, prioritises providing products made from natural, sustainable and renewable materials. From polylactic acid (PLA) bio-based products to moulded non-wood fibres, our eco-friendly packaging range is a great example of just some of the environmentally conscious packaging alternatives that will be frequenting more and more shelves in the near future.   

New innovations 

To meet an increasing demand for eco packaging solutions, a growing amount of companies are turning to new innovations to pave the way for the packaging of the future. 

Multi-use packaging, for example, is a creative packaging approach that focuses on the versatility of packaging, cleverly creating a product that can be utilised for a separate function to that of its original use. From clothes packaging that folds into a hanger to resealable delivery bags that can be sent back to the retailer in the case of a return - innovations to reduce single-use mentality such as these are smart approaches to recyclable packaging that are sure to be all the rage sooner rather than later.

Elsewhere, innovative reconsiderations of material use are leading the way. An emerging trend right now is the use of seaweed in packaging, enabling the creation of biodegradable packaging that processes at a rapid rate (around 4-6 weeks). Cost-effective and readily available, seaweed is a great example of how we can begin to think outside the box (if you pardon the pun!) about creating eco-friendly packaging. 

So, in light of a packaging industry that increasingly favours environmental options, why not try our eco-friendly packaging options? Despite already being expansive, it’s constantly growing - ensuring your business can offer the leading environmental packaging solutions to the benefit of both your business and the environment alike. 

With an ever-expanding public consciousness surrounding the wider environmental impact of our daily choices, a mammoth 53% of consumers report now using less disposable plastic compared to last year - a revolution being labelled ‘The Attenborough Effect’.

With estimates that at least 8 million pieces of plastic are deposited into the ocean each day, there’s still substantially more to be done - but with half of digital consumers saying that environmental concerns directly impact their purchasing decisions, there is already an observable shift in consumer behaviour towards more sustainable, greener practice. But what does that mean for the future of packaging? What packaging trends can we expect to see develop as a result of this new mentality? Will eco packaging become the leading packaging type? Let’s take a closer look…

Less single-use plastic 

Undoubtedly the most significant change within the packaging industry will be the significant drop in the use of single-use plastics in favour of more eco-friendly packaging solutions. With a shocking 50% of plastic only being used once, single-use plastics are one of the primary causes of an increasingly damaged ecosystem. As a result, expect to see a rapid decline in the use of single-use plastics within product packaging - an initiative already being implemented by leading brands such as Sainsbury’s. 

The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, and most obviously, the reduction in single-use plastics is a result of the acceptance of the ethical obligation we have to the planet. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly within the corporate sphere, is the fact that the use of eco packaging can be an effective marketing tool for brands looking to appeal to an evolving consumer base, with the small extra cost of investing in recyclable and biodegradable packaging being far outweighed by the subsequent profits of increased sales. 

More eco-friendly packaging 

With many customers actively avoiding single-use plastic packaging, expect to see a sharp uprise in the use, and subsequent promotion of, more environmental alternatives from businesses both big and small.   

There are already a whole host of eco-friendly packaging solutions available on the market. Our eco packaging range, for example, prioritises providing products made from natural, sustainable and renewable materials. From polylactic acid (PLA) bio-based products to moulded non-wood fibres, our eco-friendly packaging range is a great example of just some of the environmentally conscious packaging alternatives that will be frequenting more and more shelves in the near future.   

New innovations 

To meet an increasing demand for eco packaging solutions, a growing amount of companies are turning to new innovations to pave the way for the packaging of the future. 

Multi-use packaging, for example, is a creative packaging approach that focuses on the versatility of packaging, cleverly creating a product that can be utilised for a separate function to that of its original use. From clothes packaging that folds into a hanger to resealable delivery bags that can be sent back to the retailer in the case of a return - innovations to reduce single-use mentality such as these are smart approaches to recyclable packaging that are sure to be all the rage sooner rather than later.

Elsewhere, innovative reconsiderations of material use are leading the way. An emerging trend right now is the use of seaweed in packaging, enabling the creation of biodegradable packaging that processes at a rapid rate (around 4-6 weeks). Cost-effective and readily available, seaweed is a great example of how we can begin to think outside the box (if you pardon the pun!) about creating eco-friendly packaging. 

So, in light of a packaging industry that increasingly favours environmental options, why not try our eco-friendly packaging options? Despite already being expansive, it’s constantly growing - ensuring your business can offer the leading environmental packaging solutions to the benefit of both your business and the environment alike.