Why Eco-Friendly Packaging Is More Important Than Ever for Your Everyone

Roger Cook

Updated June 23, 2025

Plastic waste is a growing problem. Each year, over 130,000 tonnes of plastic leaks into Australian waterways and marine environments, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Most of it comes from everyday packaging like bottles, wrappers, and trays.

Packaging does more than just hold a product. It affects how we shop, how we throw things away, and how much waste ends up in the bin. It’s also one of the biggest sources of plastic pollution in the world today.

We’ll show what makes packaging better for the planet and what to avoid. You’ll learn which materials do the most harm and how simple swaps can help reduce waste. We’ll also explain how better packaging can build trust with customers who want brands to do better.

What Is Eco‑Friendly Packaging?

Eco‑friendly packaging is any packaging that helps the planet. It can break down or be reused without harming people or nature. It’s designed so that, at the end of its use, it can be recycled, composted, or biodegraded.

Key traits include:

• Recyclability: Designed to fit into council or industrial recycling systems.
• Compostability: Safe to go in compost bins, backyard
• Biodegradability: Made to naturally break down over time.

This aligns with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s criteria, which say sustainable packaging should be safe, clean, non-toxic, and able to re-enter biological or industrial cycles. 

Environmental Impact of Packaging Waste

Most packaging ends up in landfills or finds its way into rivers and oceans. It can stay there for hundreds of years. Wildlife often mistake plastic for food. When it breaks down, it turns into microplastics that pollute water and enter the food chain. According to CSIRO's research on Marine pollution, plastic pollution affects over 40 percent of marine bird species in Australian waters.

Using eco-friendly packaging helps reduce this harm. Materials that break down or can be reused stop more waste from building up. It also cuts down on the use of fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions during production.

There’s a business side too. Consumers are more likely to support brands that care about the environment. They want packaging that’s easy to recycle and doesn’t leave a mess behind. Many businesses are now expected to follow sustainability goals.

What Happens to Plastic Packaging After Use?

Plastic is still the most commonly used material in product packaging, but it creates long-term problems after use. Even small items add to environmental damage when they don’t break down. Here's what happens once plastic packaging is thrown away:

• Most plastic packaging does not disappear.
• It breaks into microplastics that stay in the environment for hundreds of years.
• These particles are too small for standard waste systems to catch.
• In landfills, plastic can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
• Wildlife often eats plastic by mistake or gets trapped in it.
• Microplastics have been found in seafood, salt, and drinking water.
• This kind of packaging waste builds up in oceans and food chains.
• It harms animals and can affect human health over time.
• Choosing safer, compostable packaging helps avoid this damage.
• Every switch away from plastic reduces long-term environmental harm.

What Are the Worst Packaging Materials for the Environment?

Some types of packaging are much harder to recover or recycle. They stay in landfills longer and cause more pollution across supply chains and ecosystems.

• Oxo-degradable plastics
  These were once marketed as biodegradable but only break into microplastics. They do not fully decompose. The 2022–23 APCO report confirmed that oxo-degradables have now been almost fully phased out in Australia due to their environmental harm.
• Foil-lined sachets
  Common in snack packs and instant coffee, these use mixed layers of foil and plastic. The layers can’t be separated, so they can't be recycled through standard systems. This type of packaging waste often ends up in landfills or the ocean.
• Composite plastics
  Found in juice boxes, frozen meals, and shelf-stable trays, these combine paper, plastic, and foil. The APCO report shows that even materials with good recycling potential, like paperboard, only reach a 65% recovery rate. Mixed packaging performs far worse.

For more details on which plastics can and can’t be reused, check our full guide on recyclable vs non-recyclable plastics.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials

Some packaging materials are better for the planet. They break down faster, use fewer resources, and avoid the harmful effects of plastic. Here are a few examples:

• Paperboard / Cardboard – Both recyclable and compostable.
  In-home compost or kerbside recycling.
• Sugarcane pulp – A by-product of sugar production. It’s biodegradable and compostable. Often used in food trays and inserts.
• PLA (Polylactic Acid) – Made from plant starches like corn. It's compostable, but only in industrial composting facilities. Always check local disposal guidelines.
• Cornstarch packaging – Light and soft to the touch. It breaks down naturally and can be composted at home in most climates.
• Recycled paper (FSC-certified) – Reuses existing fibre, saving water and energy. Often used for mailers, wraps, and labels.

Fun fact: When you buy any of our sheets, you’re getting totally plastic-free packaging.  It's compostable!

Is Eco Packaging Better for Business?

Switching to eco-friendly packaging is not just a feel-good move. It offers real benefits for both consumers and businesses.

Packaging Reduces Shipping Costs

Many eco-friendly packaging materials, like paper and cardboard, weigh less than traditional plastic. This helps reduce transportation costs across the supply chain. Lighter packaging also lowers fuel use and cuts emissions, making it a smarter option for your bottom line and your carbon footprint.

Creative and Eco-Friendly Packaging Design

Good packaging does more than look nice. Well-designed, sustainable materials can protect your product better during delivery. That means fewer broken items, fewer returns, and less waste. A strong, simple container can make a big difference.

Enhance Brand Reputation With Friendly Packaging

People want to support businesses that care. More shoppers now choose eco-friendly products and brands that follow sustainable practices. Many are even willing to pay more for products that align with their values. This shift in consumption is a chance to grow your brand in a way that’s both modern and meaningful.

Certifications to Look For

Not all eco-friendly packaging is equal. Just because it looks green doesn’t mean it breaks down safely. Certifications help you know what you’re getting. They also help brands build trust with eco-conscious consumers who care about clean, sustainable practices.

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council

This label means the paper and cardboard came from forests that are managed in a way that protects land, workers, and wildlife. It’s a simple way to show your packaging is made with care for nature.

AS5810 – Home Compostable

This is the standard for packaging that breaks down in a backyard compost bin. It’s tested to leave no toxic substance behind.

AS4736 – Industrial Compostable

This one’s for materials that break down only in a commercial composting facility. You’ll see it on some takeaway items or wraps. It’s important because many people think compostable means home compost, but it’s not always true.

BPI – Biodegradable Products Institute

This global label helps show that something will break down the right way. It backs up claims that a product is truly biodegradable packaging, not just marketing.

ARL – Australasian Recycling Label

This local label tells you how to dispose of each part of a pack. It helps reduce confusion and supports recycling across the country. It’s becoming more common on sustainable products, especially when the packaging is made from different layers.

Why Smarter Packaging Choices Matter

Eco-friendly packaging is a smarter way to reduce waste and rethink how packaging works. Using materials like recycled paper or renewable fibre helps cut shipping costs, reduce pollution, and save natural resources.

Better packaging builds trust. It supports sustainability goals. And it shows you're ready to adopt better solutions that are safer, cleaner, and kinder to the future.