In today’s global market, sustainable development is no longer a niche trend, but a common expectation among consumers. Choosing environmentally friendly packaging is an effective way to showcase a brand’s environmental philosophy , meet customer needs , and adapt to future development.
But with so many eco-friendly options, where do you begin? This guide will detail the most popular and practical eco-friendly packaging materials to help you make an informed choice.
I. Basic virgin paper
This type of paper is mainly made of wood pulp, bamboo pulp or straw pulp, and its environmental friendliness is reflected in its recyclability, biodegradability and reusability.
White Cardstock
- Features : Sturdy paper, smooth and white surface, good printing effect, giving it a high-end look.
- Applications : Card holders, business card tags.
- Environmental friendliness : It is easy to recycle and has high plasticity .
Kraft Paper
- Features : High strength, good toughness, yellowish-brown color, and relatively low cost.
- Applications : Paper bags, eco-friendly brand gift boxes , packaging lining paper .
- Environmental friendliness : It is very easy to recycle and degrade, making it one of the most widely used environmentally friendly packaging papers.
Corrugated Cardboard
- Features : It is made of linerboard and corrugated paper bonded together, with a lightweight yet high strength and good cushioning performance.
- Applications : Express delivery boxes, shipping boxes, product inserts .
- Environmental friendliness : It can be recycled and reused multiple times, making it the preferred alternative to plastic foam cushioning materials in the e-commerce and logistics industries.
Recycled Paper
- Features : Made from recycled paper, it is usually grayish in color and has a rustic texture.
- Applications : Eco-friendly packaging, egg trays, molded pulp trays, envelopes.
- Environmental friendliness : It greatly reduces deforestation, water consumption, and energy consumption, and achieves resource recycling.
II . Specialty Paper
These materials incorporate innovations in processing or raw materials on basic paper to achieve higher environmental performance.
- Gold and Silver Cards
- Features : Utilizing UV transfer technology, an oil is applied to the paper surface using a blanket, and then a roller transfers a light-reflecting film or custom-made pattern onto the printing paper, creating a laser-like effect on the paper surface.
- Applications : shopping bags, card holders, luxury packaging, wine boxes.
- Environmental friendliness : The use of biodegradable coatings or environmentally friendly metal coating technology can reduce the long-term impact on the environment.
III. How to determine if paper packaging is truly environmentally friendly?
When making a selection, consider the following points:
- Recyclability : Is the packaging made of a single paper material that is easy to recycle , avoiding complex composite materials?
- Degradable : Whether it can decompose in the natural environment or under specific conditions without causing persistent pollution.
- Recycled material content : Whether recycled waste paper was used; the higher the content, the more environmentally friendly it is.
- Raw material source : Whether it comes from sustainably managed forests and has FSC certification.
- Lightweighting : While maintaining strength, can paper be made thinner and lighter to reduce the use of raw materials and carbon emissions during transportation?
- Non-toxic printing : Whether environmentally friendly inks such as soybean ink and water-based ink are used for printing.
Conclusion: Eco-friendly packaging helps brands upgrade.
As a professional packaging paper factory with over 27 years of experience, we have always adhered to the concept of environmental protection, providing customers with high-quality packaging services and enhancing the value of their products. If you are also looking for a reliable packaging factory, choosing JS PACKAGING means choosing your quality. Welcome to inquire!