The paper and plastic alternatives I think will take off in the next five years.

Choosing the most effective packaging solution for your business is tricky, particularly when you’re focused on sustainability. From materials and styles to sources and suppliers, the many options available can quickly become overwhelming.

The industry isn’t perfect, but we’re constantly working towards better. Part of that means keeping our customers in the loop on the latest research, the motivation behind our choices, and shedding light on any misconceptions.

One of the biggest questions I’ve encountered as CEO of EcoEnclose is whether to use paper or plastic packaging. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t straightforward.

The widely-held belief is that using paper packaging is automatically more eco-friendly than using plastic packaging. The reality is both materials can have a damaging impact on the environment.

Most of the world’s packaging inputs come from several sources, including fossil fuels (for plastics) and forests (for paper). Moving away from plastic means reducing the use of virgin petroleum and ultimately reducing plastic pollution. However, if companies simply substitute plastic with virgin paper from unvetted sources, they’re solving the challenges of plastic in ways that introduce the risk of deforestation.

Fortunately, there’s been a wave of innovative approaches that challenge today’s norm that packaging must come from trees or non-renewable resources and aim to address the paper vs plastic debate.

Here are my favorite emerging novel material inputs – many of which can be made into a variety of different packaging solutions. Here’s hoping these take off in the next five years, driven in large part by the engagement and commitment of eco-conscious brands who help accelerate their commercialization and market adoption!

Agricultural and food waste

Agricultural waste, also called next-generation fibers, generally has no purpose – but it could. We’re talking about the residue, not the crop itself. Wheat straw, for example, is left over once wheat has been harvested to produce flour. Normally, it would be disposed of, but it could be repurposed to create a paper alternative. The benefits of doing this include:

• Minimizing the extraction of raw materials.
• Reducing deforestation.
• Maximizing resource efficiency.

It’s important that these waste streams exist already and aren’t created solely for the purpose of paper alternatives. Wheat is used across the globe, meaning wheat straw will continue to exist as a material that can be repurposed into a paper alternative. In an ideal world, these next-gen fibers would become the primary source material for paper production.

Seaweed

Seaweed is having a moment in the sustainable packaging industry, and for good reason. It’s a kind of algae that’s showing significant promise and can be converted into plastic and paper alternatives.

Research indicates that seaweed has a strong potential to be a regenerative and restorative packaging input. Here’s how:

• Seaweed can be cultivated rapidly and is biodegradable and renewable.
• It obtains energy from sunlight and doesn’t require the use of pesticides or fertilizers, reducing the pressure on freshwater sources and arable land.
• Seaweed has not been genetically modified and offers thousands of species with valuable properties.
• When cultivated using restorative processes, seaweed can help reverse ocean acidification, strengthen biodiversity, and cycle nutrients. It also absorbs atmospheric carbon as it grows. Ultimately, seaweed could help us reverse some of the damaging effects of climate change.
• Coastal communities see the direct benefits of localized seaweed farms that create opportunities to make a living by engaging in climate-friendly activities.

As research continues, it’s clear that seaweed – if cultivated using the right practices in the right places – will be a major factor in taking us one step closer to packaging circularity.

For example, at EcoEnclose, we’ve partnered with Sway to launch the Sway Polybag, which is made using their seaweed-based materials.

If this material takes off as I hope it does, the Sway Polybag will be one of many seaweed-based packaging options on the market in the next five years.

Sustainably grown sugarcane

Sugarcane is grown, eaten, and used in countries across the globe. While conventional sugarcane poses a high risk to critical issues such as land use conversion, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution, regeneratively produced sugarcane shows a lot of promise as a sustainable packaging material:

• It has a rapid growth cycle and can be replanted and harvested relatively quickly.
• It can be grown using less water and fertilizers in mills with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• It’s a trusted renewable fuel source.
• It efficiently turns sunlight into chemical energy and can generate electrical power.
• It’s versatile and can be recycled immediately using our current infrastructure.
• Sugarcane production supports millions of people across the globe.

With certification schemes like Bonsucro providing ways for brands to access third-party verified sustainably produced sugarcane, it’s possible we’ll see an increase in the use of sugarcane-based packaging for cosmetics, food products, and more.

Hemp or Miscanthus

Hemp and miscanthus are both easily converted into paper, and hemp can even be used as a plastic alternative. When developed to be made into packaging or consumables fiber, they have several benefits:

• Production requires fewer chemicals, energy and water, reducing the environmental impact.
• They’re regenerative crops that grow faster than trees.
• These crops generally yield a higher amount of fiber compared to trees.
• Their fibers are versatile and sturdy, resulting in highly durable paper products.
• Plants like hemp also absorb carbon dioxide, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Crops like this could help to significantly reduce the strain paper production puts on the environment, particularly in terms of deforestation and carbon emissions. Ideally, this would completely replace virgin paper production, but supplementing a portion of the industry would be a good start.

One thing is clear – sustainable packaging has become a truly exciting space, with an abundance of innovative ideas emerging each year. It’s encouraging to see the drive for sustainability isn’t limited to within the industry. Brands and consumers across the board have made their voices heard in their search for more sustainable options.

I’m inspired by this enthusiasm for eco-friendly alternatives. For brands looking to incorporate sustainability, I offer this advice: the most important thing is to back action with research. It’s no good swapping one material for another if the environmental impact doesn’t change.

On the surface, a material may seem like a more sustainable option. Once you dig deeper, you may find it poses more risks than expected. Doing the depth of research and choosing materials as thoughtfully as possible is the best way to build your USP around sustainability.

Watch this space to see which paper and plastic alternatives take off in the next five years!