Industry Insights Apr 25, 2020 6 min read
Paper is not automatically more sustainable than plastic, and plastic is not automatically the wrong choice. Both need to be evaluated in context.
Use Case Changes The Result
A lightweight plastic mailer may use less material than an overbuilt paper structure. A recyclable paper bag may outperform a mixed-material plastic format in a retail environment. The better option depends on the function.
Look At The Whole System
- Material weight and transport impact
- Recovery and recycling access in target markets
- Moisture protection and product damage risk
Reduce First, Then Swap
The strongest sustainability gains often come from removing unnecessary layers before changing the substrate itself.