In the 21st century, packaging is a major public concern because of the increasing awareness about single-use packaging waste. This growing consciousness has fueled the demand for sustainable packaging solutions, making eco-friendly packaging companies the preferred choice. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some significant sustainable packaging manufacturers.
Sustainable Packaging Manufacturers
Sustainable packaging is about using materials wisely to protect the environment. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has eight criteria for sustainability: safety, performance, cost, renewable energy, eco-friendly materials, clean production, efficient design, and recycling. Here are some notable eco-friendly or sustainable packaging manufacturers:
1. Elopak
Elopak is among the best eco friendly food packaging manufacturers. It is a Norwegian company specializing in aseptic liquid food packaging. This sustainable packaging manufacturer offers a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles and other packaging choices.
Elopak cartons primarily utilize paperboard, a renewable resource when sourced sustainably. In 2022, Elopak introduced the Pure-Pak eSense carton, incorporating a polyolefin blend barrier in place of aluminum, eliminating aluminum from their packaging. Despite the absence of an aluminum layer, the Pure-Pak eSense carton maintains its durability and user-friendliness, while effectively preserving the contents’ freshness.
2. Amcor PLC
Amcor is one of the best sustainable packaging manufacturers. It is committed to crafting lightweight and reusable packaging with an increased use of recycled materials. The company engages in the production of flexible and rigid plastic packaging, providing a diverse portfolio of packaging solutions for various industries, such as food, beverages, personal care, home care, healthcare, and industrial applications. Amcor’s core ethos is centered on surpassing customer expectations through exceptional sales, marketing, and service efforts.
3. Tetra Laval
Tetra Laval, a multinational corporation originating from Sweden but headquartered in Switzerland, offers sustainable technology and services for food production, packaging, and distribution. As indicated in its 2022 sustainability report, this eco friendly food packaging manufacturer has substantially advanced its use of renewable electricity, reaching 80% through an expansion of its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This achievement aligns Tetra Laval closely with its primary objective of attaining 100% renewable energy usage by 2030.
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4. Boxed Water is Better
Boxed Water is Better offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bottles through its 100% recyclable packaging, composed of 75% paper. This packaging includes an aluminum lining and a BPA and phthalate-free plastic cap. The paper used is responsibly sourced from well-managed forests. The company also contributes a portion of its profits to tree-planting initiatives in deforested and fire-affected areas, having planted over one million trees in national forests.
Furthermore, the brand reduces its carbon footprint by flattening boxes for transportation to regional filling locations, requiring just one truck instead of the 26 needed for plastic bottles. They are respected eco-friendly box manufacturers.
5. Oji Holdings
Oji Holdings, based in Tokyo and known for sustainable solutions, stands out among the sustainable packaging manufacturers as a prominent player in pulp and paper production. Amid growing concerns about sustainability in the packaging industry, Oji Holdings has set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To meet its ambitious 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to 2018 levels, Oji has adopted two primary strategies. The first strategy involves a 20% reduction through increased use of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency. The second strategy aims to achieve a 50% reduction by capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide.
6. Mondi PLC
One of the major sustainable packaging manufacturers, Mondi PLC takes a proactive approach to sustainability, providing innovative paper products that are chlorine-free. Specializing in the production of a wide range of paper and packaging products, including pulp, paper, and composite plastics, the company serves both industrial and consumer packaging needs. Mondi PLC is also involved in forest management and offers its customers fine, uncoated paper, engineered materials, and flexible packaging solutions.
7. Crown Holdings
Crown Holdings, one of the best sustainable packaging manufacturers, established in 1892 and based in Pennsylvania, boasts a long history and extensive expertise in packaging. The company manufactures and markets packaging products and equipment for diverse consumer goods and industrial applications worldwide. Among its sustainable offerings are steel and aluminum cans for the food and beverage sectors, industrial products like steel and plastic strap consumables and equipment, as well as paper-based protective packaging, among other solutions. It is thus a significant eco-friendly food packaging manufacturer.
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8. Berry Global
Berry Global, a globally established company with over 300 facilities, has a distinguished history in manufacturing rigid, flexible, and non-woven products for its worldwide clientele. Among its diverse range of offerings is a packaging solution designed for syrup and liquid medications, featuring tamper-evident PET bottles and closures. This child-resistant packaging is targeted at the pharmaceutical and herbal sectors. Additionally, Berry Global partnered with McCormick to launch food color bottles constructed from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, ensuring full recyclability.
9. LimeLoop
LimeLoop has transformed the e-commerce sector through its innovative reusable packaging and shipping logistics solutions. Merchants can easily request deliveries through any carrier using an outbound label, and LimeLoop takes care of the entire shipping process. Customers can subsequently return the empty package via USPS using the provided return label. LimeLoop’s packaging is crafted from repurposed billboard vinyl and features a recycled cotton lining, ensuring it is lightweight and visually appealing.
10. Notpla
Established in 2014, Notpla is pioneering the development of biodegradable packaging materials sourced from seaweed and plants, offering an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic packaging. The innovative approach involves a specialized manufacturing machine that creates sachets called Oohos, with capacities ranging from 15 to 100ml, depending on their intended application. Notably, brown seaweed exhibits rapid growth, up to one meter daily, and does not pose competition with food crops.
Furthermore, Notpla’s products biodegrade in just four to six weeks. This establishment is thus a great biodegradable packaging supplier.
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11. Botanical PaperWorks
Botanical PaperWorks presents an inventive and eco-friendly concept through plantable packaging. This sustainable solution utilizes recycled materials and incorporates embedded seeds, offering a distinctive experience for the brand’s customers. Rather than ending up as waste, the packaging can be planted, yielding a variety of delightful plants, including flowers, herbs, or vegetables. It is particularly well-suited for packaging small, lightweight items, serving as wrapping material, or as eco-friendly box filler when shredded.
12. Numi
Numi, known for its high-quality tea selections, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability across its product offerings, including its tea bags. These tea bags are crafted from biodegradable, non-GMO filter-paper material. Additionally, the company employs 85% recycled paper for its packaging boxes and utilizes soy-based inks.
Numi also introduces eco-friendly bamboo gift boxes as a greener alternative to traditional tree-based products. In its recent sustainability evaluation, Numi’s packaging choices contributed to saving 5,000 trees, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 659,000 pounds, conserving 4 million gallons of water, and preventing 317,000 pounds of waste.
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13. Returnity
Returnity offers customized, long-lasting boxes, bags, and mailers designed for multiple reuse cycles. It holds a firm place among other eco-friendly box manufacturers. This brand simplifies the process of returning or exchanging online purchases by eliminating the need for label printing or handling packaging, thereby minimizing face-to-face interactions. Through Returnity’s solutions, businesses can eliminate the use of 40 or more disposable cardboard boxes and poly mailer bags, resulting in cost savings and an improved user experience.
14. Strauss Family Creamery
Established in 1994, Strauss Family Creamery has implemented several initiatives aimed at waste reduction and sustainability. To transport its products, the company employs more than 640,000 reusable red milk crates in place of corrugated boxes.
Additionally, this sustainable packaging manufacturer packages its milk in reusable glass bottles, with a $3.00 refundable deposit included in each purchase. Impressively, they achieve an 80% return rate on these bottles, with customers returning and reusing over 2.75 million bottles annually. As an industry pioneer, this brand plays a pivotal role in fostering a circular economy that effectively minimizes waste.
15. EcoEnclose
EcoEnclose is a brand that specializes in a wide array of environmentally friendly packaging solutions, encompassing shopping bags, boxes, labels, inner packaging materials, paper, wraps, stickers, and more. Notably, EcoEnclose offers a sustainable alternative to the commonly used clear poly bag by providing a 100% recycled, naturally biodegradable, curbside recyclable, and paper-based option.
In 2022, EcoEnclose’s sustainable packaging contributed to EcoAllies saving 15,000 tons of emissions, protecting 12,000 acres of forests, and conserving 21 million gallons of water. Furthermore, the company has set a goal to achieve ecological net positivity by 2030.
16. Loving Earth
As evident as the brand’s name implies, Loving Earth is dedicated to sustainable packaging practices across its product range, including chocolate bars, superfood bars, cereals, and Buckinis products. For chocolate and superfood bar packaging, the company employs Econic, a compostable film derived from FSC-certified wood pulp and non-GMO corn. Loving Earth’s chocolate and cereal boxes are constructed from 100% recycled wood fibers, with Econic used for the inner bag of the cereal boxes.
Furthermore, the brand’s Buckinis range is housed in boxes made entirely from 100% post-consumer recycled fiber and printed with vegetable-based inks. Additionally, cans used for items like Coconut Sugar and Maca Powder are crafted from recycled paper materials. This is one of the best compostable food packaging manufacturers.
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17. Tiny Box Company
Since 2007, Tiny Box Company has been dedicated to providing a diverse selection of ethical packaging options that emphasize both elegance and sustainability. The company specializes in crafting biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly gift boxes, extending their commitment beyond aesthetics. It is among the best eco friendly box manufacturers.
Tiny Box Company offers various eco-conscious products, including recycled jewelry boxes, bags, gift packaging, rigid boxes, acid-free tissue paper, ribbons, and more. Furthermore, the company offers an extensive range of postal boxes, recycled cardboard envelopes, and bags. After learning about this biodegradable packaging supplier, let’s now explore Honest Teas.
18. Honest Teas
Honest Teas sources its raw materials from organic farms and is dedicated to making its organic products widely available across the United States. The company has achieved cradle-to-cradle certification for its glass bottles, signifying compliance with rigorous sustainability criteria encompassing material safety, renewable energy, water conservation, and recycled materials. Notably, the brand gained attention for its new packaging for children’s juices in Tetra Pak, consisting of 75% FSC-certified cartons combined with plastic polymers and aluminum.
19. Elevate Packaging
Elevate Packaging is a leading provider of compostable packaging and labels in North America. In addition to offering a wide range of solutions like bags, pouches, and labels, the company has innovated a coffee bag using certified compostable films featuring a robust high-barrier layer for oxygen and moisture. Importantly, the entire packaging, including the zipper and valve, undergoes rigorous testing and receives certification as compostable according to industry standards. This company holds a significant place among compostable food packaging manufacturers.
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20. BioMass Packaging
BioMass Packaging is committed to establishing a compostable waste stream and offers a diverse range of sustainable solutions to various industries. The company’s closed-loop product lifecycle starts with raw materials sourced from agriculture, which are utilized to produce disposable items. These products are then collected from municipal waste streams, composted, and ultimately returned to the soil as nutrients to support crop cultivation.
Additionally, BioMass Packaging delivers outstanding customer service that extends beyond its sustainable offerings, encompassing customer education and support, as well as efficient product stocking and delivery within 24 hours.
21. Earthpack
Established in 1989, Earthpack boasts three decades of experience in crafting eco-friendly bags and boxes. The company’s extensive range of e-commerce packaging includes mailers, tissue, bags, and customizable boxes. Earthpack offers straightforward packaging solutions that empower customers to personalize their packaging. In addition to its sustainable product offerings, the company actively advocates for various environmental organizations, such as the Ocean Institute, Surfrider Foundation, SurfAid International, and SIMA Environmental Fund, among others.
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22. Econic
Originating in New Zealand, Econic sustainable packaging has been serving diverse businesses and offering eco-friendly solutions for a quarter of a century. Econic packaging comes in two formats: ready-made bags and rewind film designed for use in form, fill, and seal production lines. These packaging options can be customized in various sizes to align with specific product, brand, and production line needs.
Additionally, the company provides various features such as home compostable zip seal closures, angle seals, four-side seals, and bottom gussets. Econic’s extensive technical support and ongoing product development have allowed them to tailor their packaging to suit most dry food applications, as well as specific moist product packaging needs with short shelf lives. It holds a significant place among other compostable food packaging manufacturers.
23. Sealed Air
Sealed Air (now SEE) is a company renowned for its expertise in protective and food packaging solutions, boasting 39 design and application centers. The company emphasizes the provision of materials and automation solutions at a large scale. Operating in 114 countries, Sealed Air places a strong emphasis on sustainability throughout the packaging lifecycle. Their TempGuard brand of insulated box liners is specifically crafted to protect temperature-sensitive and perishable items during transportation, offering up to 48 hours of temperature maintenance. Notably, these liners are manufactured using recycled paper and materials sourced from curbside recycling programs.
24. TIPA
Established in 2010, TIPA is dedicated to mitigating the environmental impact of flexible plastic packaging. TIPA’s primary objective is to create flexible packaging that can biodegrade in a manner similar to organic matter, while retaining the essential qualities of conventional plastics, including printability, transparency, durability, shelf-life, and sealability.
The company has formulated a proprietary bio-based blend that mirrors the characteristics of conventional plastic but holds certifications for both industrial and home composting. Collaborating with various brands, TIPA conducts shelf-life tests to ensure that their packaging matches the shelf life of traditional alternatives. The sustainable packaging manufacturer primarily serves the food and fashion industries, both significant consumers of flexible packaging. Notably, TIPA’s solutions are free from microplastics, toxic residues, and other pollutants.
25. Paper Mart
Established in 1921, Paper Mart boasts over a century of expertise in the sustainable packaging sector. Starting as a small garage-based enterprise in Los Angeles, the company has transformed into a catalog company and eventually grown to become the largest discounted packaging supply firm in the United States.
Presently, Paper Mart offers a diverse range of eco-friendly products, including shopping bags, boxes, mailers, and packaging sheets crafted from recycled and post-consumer cardboard and paper materials. Furthermore, the brand utilizes environmentally friendly inks, such as water-based and algae-based inks, for printing its products.
26. Puffy Stuff
Puffy Stuff offers high-density packing peanuts that are entirely natural, biodegradable, and static electricity-free. Remarkably, the brand’s solution is 100% biodegradable, adhering to ISO standards, and setting it apart from other loose-fill materials sourced from plants. This innovative solution fully dissolves upon exposure to rain and remains unaffected by humidity, not shrinking under such conditions. Upon contact with water, Puffy Stuff rapidly degrades into inert proteins that soil bacteria readily consume.
27. Uline
Established in 1980, Uline has upheld its dedication to delivering top-notch products and services to customers for more than four decades. The company offers a variety of sustainable packaging products, including bags, pillows, and recycled boxes. Uline also supplies biodegradable packing peanuts that adhere to U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards and are crafted from organic starch. As a family-owned enterprise, Uline specializes in the distribution of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials to businesses throughout North America.
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28. RePack
Founded in 2011, RePack specializes in reusable packaging solutions designed for online retailers and circular rental businesses. The company supplies customers with prepaid packages that can be sent back to RePack for reuse, contributing to waste reduction and sustainability promotion. RePack employs recycled plastic materials for its bags and boxes, emphasizing their durability, recyclability, and suitability for multiple rounds of use. This approach facilitates sustainable parcel exchanges between businesses and their customers.
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29. Rocket Industrial
Rocket Industrial, a family-owned packaging enterprise, originated in Wisconsin in 1957 and has evolved into a nationwide distributor offering packaging solutions throughout the United States. The company offers packing peanuts crafted from starch-based, renewable resources, which are environmentally friendly, anti-static, dust-free, and abrasion-resistant, making them ideal for safeguarding sensitive electronic equipment.
Boasting substantial industry expertise and a wealth of experience, Rocket Industrial has been a dependable sustainability partner for numerous businesses over the years. The company’s packaging experts conduct tests, analyze data, and offer tailored recommendations to assist customers in enhancing their packaging operations.
30. Noissue
Noissue enables widespread access to sustainable product packaging. They have a clear mission of providing global businesses with accessible sustainable packaging solutions. Noissue offers a diverse range of sustainable packaging products categorized as compostable, reusable, and recyclable. Their low minimum order requirements facilitate quick implementation.
Noissue proves to be an ideal option for businesses seeking easily customizable sustainable packaging. Moreover, businesses can incorporate QR codes on their packaging to enhance the customer experience with a digital component. These QR codes can direct customers to a microsite for a deeper understanding of the brand and its products.
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31. A New Earth Project
A New Earth Project upholds rigorous sustainability standards to ensure the complete recyclability of its packaging products. Its focus is to make its packaging materials easily recyclable, allowing customers to place them in curbside recycling bins instead of requiring special drop-off locations. The organization prioritizes recyclable packaging over compostable alternatives, as recycling ensures that the material remains in circulation at its highest utility.
For businesses preferring recyclable packaging, A New Earth Project is an excellent choice. They offer a range of sustainable packaging solutions, including bags, padded mailers, and protective bumpers. Additionally, they provide equipment to facilitate efficient packaging management and handling, encompassing dispensers and tape machines.
32. Ernest Packaging
Ernest Packaging offers comprehensive package design and production services to enhance product protection for businesses. Their package design and production capabilities provide efficient solutions for production line packaging. They also specialize in creating more sustainable packaging options by minimizing material usage and promoting full recyclability. Their team conducts a thorough review of your entire packaging process to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Ernest Packaging is particularly suited for businesses currently developing their packaging and seeking sustainability improvements. They rigorously test and validate proposed designs, ensuring they align with your product’s structural integrity requirements and eco-friendly objectives. Collaborating with your team, they work to ensure your packaging is sustainable and resilient in various shipping conditions.
33. The Better Packaging Co.
The Better Packaging Co. is among the best sustainable packaging manufacturers. It presents a collection of packaging items crafted from recycled ocean-bound plastic. Utilizing sustainable packaging derived from ocean-bound plastic not only aids in ocean cleanup but also sponsors beach clean-up initiatives targeting the primary sources of ocean plastics. The POLLAST!C line by The Better Packaging Co. comprises mailing satchels, document bags, and garment bags. Studies confirm that POLLAST!C mailers possess a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional commercial packaging options.
The Better Packaging Co. serves as an excellent choice for businesses in need of environmentally friendly mailers, liners, labels, tape, envelopes, and standard shipment packaging. They also offer bamboo-based packaging, which aligns with existing curbside recycling practices, making it easy for customers to recycle alongside paper and cardboard materials.
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34. Sustainable Packaging Industries
Sustainable Packaging Industries offers eco-friendly molded pulp packaging solutions for businesses’ immediate shipping needs. They specialize in designing and producing products from a mix of fibrous materials, such as recycled paper, cardboard offcuts, and natural fibers like sugarcane, bamboo, or wheat straw. Their chemical-free pulping process conserves water, and all manufacturing scraps are recycled. This makes Sustainable Packaging Industries a top choice for businesses seeking exceptional protection against shocks and vibrations during shipping. Their packaging products are resistant to extreme temperatures and water, and they can also customize packaging to fit your product’s specific requirements.
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35. Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation is renowned as an innovative and sustainable packaging manufacturer, serving industries like beverages, food, and personal care. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their eco-friendly packaging options. They’ve collaborated with Coca-Cola to create low-carbon aluminum beverage bottles, introduced the infinitely recyclable G3-HD steel aerosol container, and partnered with Unilever for antiperspirant cans using ReAl™ technology. Ball Corporation’s dedication to sustainability is clear, making it a trusted partner in shaping a greener future in the packaging industry.
36. WestRock
WestRock specializes in crafting sustainable and innovative packaging and paper solutions for diverse industries, with offerings including corrugated packaging, consumer packaging, specialty chemicals, paper, and pulp products. Their mission revolves around delivering value to customers while minimizing environmental impact through functional, eco-friendly packaging solutions. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, WestRock is a trailblazer in shaping a more responsible future for the packaging and paper industry.
As an example, in 2022, this sustainable packaging manufacturer entered into a collaborative effort to create recyclable paperboard packaging, with the goal of diverting 31 million plastic containers from Canadian landfills each year. This environmentally conscious packaging solution was first rolled out at Swiss Chalet restaurants in 2021, incorporating uncoated recycled board (URB) and EnShield® Natural Kraft to adhere to rigorous sustainability criteria.
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37. Stora Enso
Stora Enso holds a notable place among other sustainable packaging manufacturers. It is renowned for its innovation and commitment to sustainability in renewable materials. Its broad range of offerings includes wood products, pulp, paper, packaging materials, and biomaterials, catering to diverse industries. At its essence, Stora Enso is dedicated to offering eco-friendly alternatives to fossil-based materials, prioritizing customer value while minimizing environmental harm. Their unwavering focus on innovation and sustainability places them at the forefront of the shift towards a more environmentally friendly, bio-based economy.
38. Smurfit Kappa Group
With a rich history of 80 years, Smurfit Kappa Group stands as a global leader being one of the major sustainable packaging manufacturers. Their offerings include corrugated packaging, consumer packaging, paper-based solutions, and recycling services, catering to various industries. Smurfit Kappa’s fundamental commitment lies in sustainability and circular economy principles, establishing it as a reliable partner for global brands.
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39. DS Smith
DS Smith holds a noticeable place among other sustainable packaging manufacturers. It offers an extensive array of products and services, ranging from packaging materials to corrugated and plastic packaging, alongside comprehensive support services. Their mission revolves around creating sustainable packaging solutions that safeguard products while minimizing environmental impact.
With a firm commitment to circular economy principles and innovative design, DS Smith is a trusted global partner for brands and manufacturers. In 2022, DS Smith’s innovation team also embarked on a journey of experimentation with alternative fibers for paper and cardboard.
40. PakFactory
PakFactory, known for its meticulous attention to detail and customer-centric approach, serves as a comprehensive destination for personalized printed packaging and branded boxes. This sustainable packaging manufacturer provides a diverse selection of sustainable packaging solutions, encompassing kraft boxes, custom bags, and eco-friendly food packaging, suitable for various product needs.
Offering both ready-made packaging options and the flexibility to create custom designs, PakFactory caters to a global clientele, continuously expanding its satisfied customer base. This was all about this eco-friendly food packaging manufacturer.
Sustainable packaging manufacturers are instrumental in the ongoing battle against excessive waste and environmental harm. Their innovative solutions not only meet the growing demand for eco-conscious packaging but also demonstrate the path to a more sustainable and responsible future for the packaging industry and the planet.
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