Plastic Free Packaging
“Reduce, reuse, recycle”. That’s a phrase all of us have heard and it continues to be key in moving towards a more sustainable future. One of the biggest reasons for this is society’s reliance on fossil-based packaging for the majority of packaging products.
Since the mid-70’s, plastic packaging has been an economical way for businesses to package their products. But companies are now looking for alternatives that are recyclable and can support a circular economy. This means using less single-use plastics and more renewable materials like mono-polymer recyclable plastic, and paper-based products that help minimise plastic waste and carbon footprint.
Through the efforts of individuals, industry and green initiative groups, many sustainable packaging options have been created. Reusable packaging and containers made from recycled plastic are a few examples of these eco-friendly packaging solutions.
In the past, plastic free packaging has been much less effective at keeping products, particularly food, safe and fresh for the required shelf life. Technological advancements have enabled the development of new solutions with barrier properties to protect against permeability of gases, water vapour, aroma, heat, and light. While it may not suit all applications, paper-based packaging can now provide a good barrier for many products on the market without the need for plastic lamination.
In This Article:
Benefits of Plastic Free Packaging
Variety of Options
Recycled, recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable – there are a plethora of packaging options marketed as eco-friendly. Paper and cardboard are naturally beneficial in all of these categories. These can be manufactured with recycled materials, reducing the need for new packaging to be produced.
For companies looking for compostable packaging, our plastic free packaging materials are an ideal choice because they have a short degradation process, usually within three to six months, and they leave no hazardous residue.
Environmentally Conscious
Go Plastic Free with OF Pack
Paper Tubes & Sleeves
O F Pack’s premium paper tubes and cardboard sleeve packaging will draw attention to your products right off the shelf. Our cardboard materials are long-lasting, and they can be customised to fit your specific product size or storage needs. This provides you with countless creative opportunities to create a unique look for your products without compromising their quality and freshness.
Shelf-Ready Carton Packaging
Combine function and shelf appeal with our carton packaging alternatives. Our shelf-ready packaging is fully customizable to meet the needs of your business and engage customers from the moment they see it in store. We can also help you find branded corrugated cardboard shipping cartons that are the right size for your products.
Just Paper Pouch
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OF Pack offer sustainable compostable packaging options?
Yes! OF Pack is proud to offer a range of packaging solutions that are great alternatives to traditional plastics. This includes compostable materials that are certified to the standards of the Australian Bioplastics Association (ABA).
What is the state of the sustainable packaging industry in Australia?
There have been significant advances in the sustainable packaging industry over the last decade. Manufacturers, for example, have devised methods to use recycled paper as a substitute for plastic bags in certain situations. When shopping, more consumers are also likely to bring their own reusable bags or containers.
However, there are some products with no alternative good enough to replace its current plastic packaging. For example, paper boxes cannot replace plastic bottles because they are not especially sturdy. While there are National Packaging Targets in place to address plastic pollution, the industry still has a long way to go before becoming truly plastic-free. For the time being, plastic and non-plastic alternatives can coexist until technology and innovation enable a completely sustainable industry.