Packaging industry drives toward sustainability

Growing concern over packaging wastes from online shopping boom is driving the shift towards sustainable alternatives.

Online shopping witnessed an unprecedented boom at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many shoppers were pushed to buy products online as physical stores around the world either limited their opening hours and capacity to maintain social distancing or were closed due to lockdown.

With the online shopping surge also came an increase in the demand for packaging materials and the consequent waste problem, specifically the single-use packaging waste. According to Statista, more than 2.14 billion people all over the world are expected to buy goods and services online throughout 2021. Dropshipping specialist Oberlo stated in an article that this year, there were 900 million more digital buyers than there were in 2020, yielding a 4.4 percent year-on-year increase.

Most of the packaging used offer limited to nil sustainable benefits. McKinsey & Company reports that for plastic packaging, most of the global waste goes into incineration and landfills despite plastic's potential for reuse and recycling. The company added that such problem did not go unnoticed as public awareness significantly increased to an all-time high over the past two years. This growing concern has been driving governments to implement single-use plastic regulations, and encourage the use of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging.

The sustainable packaging market is predicted to reach 470.3 billion by 2027 from an estimated USD 305.31 billion in 2020, according to Market Research Future. This forecast, as well as the increasing initiatives to curb the use of non-biodegradable packaging, can create vast market opportunities.

Keep up with this industry trend by sourcing environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging from Global Sources verified suppliers. Check out these source-worthy selections, handpicked by our market analyst.

Biodegradable drawstring bag

Company: Jinjiang Naike Gifts Co. Ltd

This Drawstring Bag 070504 from Jinjiang Naike is made of PBAT, PLA and corn starch. It comes in 33x38cm or buyer-specified size, and custom logos.

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Recyclable paper tube

Company: Shenzhen Naee Packaging Co. Ltd

Shenzhen Naee offers this Packs Tube -4 eco-friendly and recyclable kraft paper tube that comes in 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100mL capacity, custom logos, and green, red, brown, black, white, pink, gold and silver colors. It is available in embossed, UV-coated, varnished, gloss- and matte-laminated, and gold foil-printed designs.

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Reusable, biodegradable plastic bag

Company: Wuhan Sinicline Industry Co. Ltd

Made of corn starch, Wuhan Sinicline's Zebg-Zatec-001+003MC biodegradable plastic bag is 100 percent biodegradable and degrades with three to six months. It is available in custom designs and uses soy-based ink.

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Eco-friendly shoe packaging box

Company: Shanghai Forests Packaging Group Co. Ltd

The FPsales0861-8691-4398 from Shanghai Forests is a shoe packaging box made of eco-friendly corrugated cardboard and ink. The recyclable item comes in buyer-specified sizes.

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Kraft paper gift bag

Company: Yiklee Printing Products Co. Ltd

This kraft paper gift bag from Yiklee, the GB-13, can be used as a food and gift packaging. It comes in offset-printed, silk-screened, hot foil-stamped, embossed and debossed designs, and gloss- and matte-laminated, gloss- and matte-varnished, and UV- and aqueous-coated surface finish. Logos and sizes can be buyer-specified.

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