Three ways packaging projects are cutting plastic waste

Packaging is one of the most visible sources of waste, which is why it draws such varied solutions — from raw material swaps to manufacturing-level change. Looking at real companies instead of category labels, three approaches keep showing up.

1 Replace plastic with natural materials

The first pattern swaps petroleum-based packaging for renewable materials outright — waste wool, recycled paperboard, and cork replacing bubble wrap, bottles, and sleeves.

Natural Materials

Woola

Sustainable alternative to bubble wrap made from waste wool sourced from local farmers, aiming to cut fossil-fuel packaging use 50% by 2030.

Recycled Materials

Frugalpac

Frugal Bottle is made from 94% recycled materials, offering brands a lower-carbon alternative to conventional glass bottles.

Cork Packaging

Biork

Natural deodorants packaged in recyclable cork sleeves, using potassium alum for effective, low-waste odor protection.

2 Build sustainability into packaging manufacturing at scale

A second group works upstream, in the manufacturing process itself — masterbatch additives, custom pouches, and production systems designed for large brands to adopt without redesigning their supply chain.

Manufacturing

Ampacet Corporation

Global leader in masterbatch solutions, providing custom color and specialty additives that enhance plastics while promoting responsible production.

Custom Packaging

Custom Printed Pouches

Tailored pouch packaging with no minimum order and fast production, giving brands of any size a sustainability-minded option.

Protective Packaging

Ranpak

Sustainable packaging since 1972, offering recyclable and biodegradable protective materials across diverse industries.

3 Certify and scale eco-friendly packaging for retail

The remaining projects focus on getting sustainable packaging into everyday retail products, backed by formal certification like B Corp status.

B Corp Certified

Decent Packaging NZ

B Corp-certified packaging supplier offering a wide range of products designed to minimize waste and support eco-friendly business practices.

Retail

EcoCare

Plant-based cleaning products in eco-conscious packaging, prioritizing safety and environmental responsibility for homes and families.

Frequently asked questions

Related categories & goals

Sourced from Keys for Tomorrow’s project catalog, verified live 2026-08-09.