Recycled packaging
Recycled
Recycled packaging is made from previously used materials, including paper and plastic.
The plastic is processed at a recycling facility and put back into circulation, thus doubling its lifespan.
Why it’s awesome?
Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators - it conserves natural resources and prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials. Basically instead of making something new - we’re taking something already in circulation to give it a second life!
Ensuring Success
When you're done with these products, make sure you recycle them in their appropriate categories e.g. plastics, aluminum, glass, paper etc. so it goes to the right plant and doesn't end up in the landfill.
Compostable
Compostable packaging is typically made from a number of renewable plant-based materials and/or bio-polymers.
To be certified home compostable, a product must break down in home compost within 180 days and 90 days in commercial composting conditions.
Why it’s awesome?
Cardboard and paper products are a great addition to the backyard compost as it helps with the carbon-nitrogen ratio. Easily broken down in a compost, these products also tend to have chemical compounds removed from the product.
Ensuring Success
Sometimes people don’t notice that something is compostable, meaning it can sometimes end up in the landfill. If you don’t have a home compost, you can look at local options for communal compost sites.
Reusable
Reusable packaging is packaging that has a built-in second (and possibly third, fourth, etc.) use.
While most packaging is typically single use, and recycled after it accomplishes its primary goal, reusable packaging can be used multiple times for a variety of functions.
Why it’s awesome?
When an item of packaging is used for a second time after its initial use, that doubles the utility of the packaging, and prevents another single-use piece of packaging from being used.
Ensuring Success
In order for reusable packaging to have its desired impact, it has to be used more than once. Simply put, if a reusable bag is immediately discarded, it loses any potential positive benefits it might have had.
Circular economy
"A circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system.
It represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits."
Ellen MacArthur