Packaging trends look great on paper

​Paper and paperboard are the most sustainable materials used in packaging today. High-profile U.S. brands like Coca-Cola and Heinz are trialing paper bottles. At the same time, Groupo Modelo, makers of Corona beer, reported it would eliminate 100 tons of plastic in phase one of switching to a paper collar for its six-pack beverages. In fact, the Groupo Modelo announcement was the best-read sustainability article on PackagingDigest.com in the first half of 2022. 

​And just in May, the magazine and website devoted entirely to trends in packaging reported that corporate sustainability goals and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) reporting are “a primary motivator in the shift from plastic to paper.”

Kellogg Europe recently tested cereal box paper liners in place of plastic. The company has reported that 76% of its packaging worldwide is recyclable. The iconic brand has gone a step further and publicly stated its goal of using “100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by the end of 2025, which aligns with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.”
 
PepsiCo has declared the same, and big packaging names, like Amazon, are following suit. Consumer Product Goods (CPG) brands are showing an increased interest in using paperboard for packaging that is certified in various categories. Entities such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which have long used standardized practices to offer certifications for paper brands, mills, and companies, could lead the way.

Brands will need to innovate to meet regulations—we’re here to help
 
Brands, consumers, suppliers, and printers all share a growing interest in sustainable packaging, resulting in some of the most innovative packaging designs and planet-friendly choices we’ve seen in decades. It’s exciting, and it’s essential.
 
And it’s partly because brands and manufacturers are beginning to be held responsible for reducing and eliminating plastic waste.
 
For example, in 2020, France developed a comprehensive Anti-waste and Circular Economy Law intending to phase out single-use packaging by 2040. And just in March 2023, more than 170 nations across the globe backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, with an international legally binding agreement to be in place by 2024. However, a report published by the OECD Global Plastic Outlook warned only 9% of plastic waste is successfully recycled, outlining the scale of the problem. 

We believe it’s our responsibility to partner with both suppliers and customers to identify and implement environmentally friendly materials and practices. In the past several years, Carlson Print Group has segmented heavily into paperboard packaging, and we are thrilled with the results.

​With the right approach, plastic can be a sustainable option
 
Though plastics are often a necessity for security, preservation, durability or longevity, it is becoming essential that manufacturers, brands and suppliers work together to create a circular economy for plastic products.
 
If plastic is needed for a unique look or feel, plastic substrates offer a durable, lightweight, recycled or recyclable product that can be used for a very long time. Ask us when plastic is the right option for your project. We’re happy to steer you in the best direction, and work hard to lessen your project’s impact through recycled plastics.
 
No matter your print needs, Carlson Print Group works with customers to meet or exceed their sustainability goals. Contact us to discuss your project and learn more.