Those who have worked with Point 6 or followed our socials in any capacity will likely be aware that sustainability is a cause close to our heart. Those who’ve paid attention to geopolitical summits, environmental policy, or even just McDonalds’ ever-expanding plant-based menu will be aware that it’s a cause close to wider society’s heart too.

There are various adjustments we can all make to align with a greener way of living, from micro everyday things—like separating that pesky landfill-loving film on yoghurt pots, supermarket salads, ready-meals, and seemingly everything under the sun from its recyclable base container—to more macro, governmental endeavours like pivoting from fossil fuel reliance to clean energy. Some of these things are in our power, some are not.

As a design agency who do a great deal of work in packaging, we’re especially attentive as to how sustainability impacts the packaging design industry. As such, being the good citizens we are, we’ve collated some of the sustainable trends defining the current landscape for you below. Tuck in.

Does packaging really affect the planet?

Yes. We don’t just write blogs for nothing, you know.

Packaging is an oft-overlooked route when it comes to good sustainable practice. But it’s pivotal. Any company worth their sustainable salt, especially large ones, should be giving serious consideration to the type of packaging they’re using. From choice of material (polystyrene is a hateful espousal of lunacy) to needless add-ons (the planet’s wheezing but thank you for my new pouch of buttons) to using the correct size of parcel (here’s looking at you, monopolistic corporation that would almost certainly package an ant in a coffin if you could just find a buyer), there are many improvements companies can make that would have a huge impact if implemented on a proper scale. Such as:

1. Bio-degradable packaging

If you really want to solidify your eco-status when it comes to packaging, bio-degradable is the way to go. Compostable packaging is becoming more and more widespread, and with good reason. Recyclable packaging is commendable. Re-usable, recyclable packaging that contributes to the circular economy even more so. But packaging that will soon be at one with the earth like a dying shaman humming the ‘Circle of Life’ takes some beating.

2. E-commerce

74% of people would rather pay more for sustainable packaging than opt for a cheaper, more harmful alternative. So found a recent report by Trivium packaging, developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group. And with E-commerce more prevalent than ever thanks to that pandemic you’re rightfully trying to erase from your memory (truly sorry for bringing it up), companies need to take consumers’ desires into account. People want re-usable, recyclable packaging. They want clear instructions on the package as to how to recycle it. And honestly, at this stage, that’s just the bare minimum companies should be offering. Be sustainable, of course, but be transparent too. It’s not a lot to ask.

3. Think ink

Choosing the wrong material isn’t packaging’s only serial sustainable offence. A large contingent of inks—that are still in widespread use—are petroleum-based. At the risk of making assumptions about our audience, I’d hedge a bet that anyone reading this who doesn’t drive a diesel Concorde to work is probably already aware that petrol + environment = bad news, mate. Hence the transition from many in the industry to vegetable and soy-based inks. They are bio-degradable, easier to de-ink during recycling, and less likely to release toxic chemicals when thrown away. And there’s no sacrifice in terms of colour quality. It’s a no-brainer.

4. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

It may not be sexy, but damn if it isn’t effective. EPR legislation rewards sustainability. Better still, it punishes companies who refuse to take steps to address their packaging’s ecological impact, hitting them where it hurts—their wallets. With EPR legislation in effect from 2023 in the UK (and already across various countries in Europe and around the world), EPR is a trend that will likely soon be the global norm. Under EPR, the amount businesses are obligated to pay in fees will be proportional to the recyclability of the packaging they place on the market.

Put simply: re-useable, recyclable packaging that contributes to the circular economy? Gold star, small fee. Single-use, carbon-creating, Farage-favoured, plastic packaging? Naughty corner and hefty old bill.

Once it hits the financials, don’t be surprised if a few old dogs decide those new tricks that they’ve long lambasted aren’t so bad after all.

Interested in sustainability? Why not check out our blog on 7 sustainable alternatives to plastic?