Packaging ranked from best to worst
One reality of modern life is that people buy stuff, and stuff comes in packaging. Let’s broadly categorize packaging as product packaging and transportation packaging. Product packaging is designed or created specifically for each product for protection, cleanliness, security, or some combination of all three. Transportation packaging is created for the purpose of getting a product from Point A to Point B as a supplemental form of packaging.
Nearly everything we buy has a combination of product and transportation packaging. With so much packaging in the world, often going directly into the garbage, there are considerations that consumers and business can make to reduce packaging waste.
With that in mind, here’s a list of packaging which I’ve ranked from best to worst:
Zero Packaging
The best kind of product packaging is, no surprise, no packaging at all! It’s also unrealistic for most products. You might see zero packaging for grocery items like bananas and shelled nuts which have a built-in protective layer and doesn’t require additional product packaging. Zero-waste grocery shopping is a nation-wide growing industry.
Other products you might see without product packaging are soaps and shampoo bars (aka shampoo in the form of a bar rather than liquid in a traditional shampoo bottle).
Zero transportation packaging is possible if you’re able to transport items yourself, or if you use something like a reusable tote bag when shopping in person.
Biodegradable
If a product cannot have zero packaging, biodegradable packaging is a great alternative. Two examples you may have seen are dissolvable packing peanuts, or a mushroom-based Styrofoam alternative for insulation and custom product packaging. Since Styrofoam is almost exclusively a form of transportation packaging, and are often custom-made to protect specific products, these are two excellent alternatives for businesses to consider.
From a cost perspective, a mushroom-based Styrofoam alternative may be more expensive than traditional Styrofoam. But consumers are starting to give a shit about the planet and the waste that businesses produce. Even if biodegradable transportation packaging is more expensive upfront, caring about the planet is good for your bottom line in the long run.
Commercially Recyclable
Recycling can be tricky to do correctly - it needs to be sorted and cannot be contaminated by food waste or other non-recyclable materials. You also need to live in a state/county/region where recycling is an available service. Recent research shows that plastic that actually gets recycled is below 5%.
These are the top commercially recyclable packaging products:
Plastic (some kinds)
Plastics are a huge category and could their own post since there are so many varieties and combinations. The first thing to know is that all plastics are given a number based on what kind of plastic it is. From there, most commercially recyclable plastics are:
“1” aka PET or PETE which is typically plastic beverage bottles
“2” aka HDPE which is a similar, thicker plastic used to make things like shampoo and detergent bottles
“5” aka PP which is used for food containers like yogurt
When you’re home or in an office setting and looking at recycling numbers, just remember 1, 2, and 5 are safe bets to recycle.
Cardboard, Glass, Paper, Aluminum
These categories have fewer recycling requirements, fewer categories than plastic, and are more straightforward to recycle. I definitely recommend checking out your local recycling guidelines to be clear on what can be recycled where you live.
Technically Recyclable
The following packaging is technically recyclable because this form of recycling is not widely available, or if available, comes at an additional cost.
Plastic film, hard plastic, Styrofoam
I’m grouping these three together because they have the same basic problems: This type of packaging is recyclable if you’re willing to pay money or spend your free time (lol what?) searching for a business or location that accepts Styrofoam, plastic film waste, or PVC. These types of plastic are:
“3” aka PVC (hard plastics such as toys, piping, kayaks, pharmaceutical packaging, window sidings)
“4” aka LDPE (plastic film)
“6” aka PS (Styrofoam)
In my corner of the world in Seattle, WA, one pay-to-recycle service for Styrofoam and plastic film is Ridwell (cost varies by location - in Seattle area it costs $9 to recycle a 45-gallon bag’s worth of Styrofoam. Plastic film is included in the yearly membership cost.) While I absolutely believe in the privatization of recycling services when it cannot be provided by current city or government infrastructure, additional subscription costs can be prohibitive for many, and as a result are available to high earners or households with higher median incomes.
Outside of a paid service, this is also an excellent guide for how to properly recycle Styrofoam if you DO have time and are feeling motivated to get rid of Styrofoam responsibly.
Similarly, plastic film can be collected at designated locations (again, examples in Seattle).
PCV plastic must also be taken to a special recycling facility (Seattle example).
But ultimately, (I am guilty of this) people will do what’s easiest - put it in the trash. In order for sustainable alternatives or processes to work, they must be equal to or easier to do than the “standard'“ M.O. which is to just throw it out with the weekly garbage. Until that changes, Styrofoam and plastic film aren’t bottom-of-the-list packaging options but only on a technicality.
Garbage
“Other” plastic
The seventh (!) and final category of plastic is “7” aka “Other”. This is typically mixed-plastic or mixed-content packaging that is made up of multiple kinds of products, and might need disassembly to recycle properly.
How can I reduce packaging waste?
Consumers
As a consumer, we are generally on the reactive side of packaging. Here are three things you can do to reduce packaging waste:
You can reduce your packaging impact by choosing what products you buy, and if possible, how they are transported.
If you feel motivated, you can always write to retailers and let them know your stance on their packaging.
You can also lobby with local organizations whose missions are to eliminate single-use plastics.
Here’s the thing. We live in a global economy where packaging cannot always be avoided. But you can always be mindful of the things you buy.
When I’m sorting packaging into trash and recycling, I find it helpful to have a recycling chart right there for easy reference. A recycling chart would be a great and easy DIY!
Businesses
On the other hand, businesses are on the the proactive side of packaging. Do an audit of your current state of business and evaluate how you currently package your products for sale, and for shipping. Identify sustainable alternatives. Do a cost comparison to see where you’re able to implement swaps.
Businesses have more power to determine what kind of packaging is going out into the world, and “there aren’t options” isn’t an excuse anymore with many viable alternatives on the market, and many new products in development.
Regardless of your approach as a business or a consumer, it’s important to remember that reduction is better than perfection.