It is one of the trends this year, 100% linked to the social and cultural changes of recent times. Packaging design is important (I want pretty packaging!), but so is sustainability.

Personally, I leave plastics behind and keep what can be recycled or reused.

And you, do you sign up for sustainable packaging ?

Why I bet on sustainable packaging

Do you also think that every little gesture counts? So we're on the same team.

I do, and that is why I try to make my habits more respectful of the environment every day. How do I do it? To begin with, making small daily decisions that make a difference:

• Choosing products consciously and informing me about their composition.
• Avoiding raw materials that are not natural.
• Prioritizing proximity to reduce the ecological footprint.
• Trying to reduce waste as much as possible.
• Looking for companies and brands that have the same values ​​as me.

I think that all actions, however discreet they may seem to us, add up. And that the necessary mentality change is to start making smarter and more selective decisions .

And since completely eliminating packaging is somewhat difficult (although not impossible, another day I am going to talk to you about the Zero Waste philosophy and what you and I can do to contribute to change) at least we are going to choose a sustainable packaging that contributes to the reduction of the environmental impact.

Bye bye to the plastics

The most important thing is to stop contributing to the deterioration of the planet as soon as possible. And one of the main decisions I have made as a consumer is to say goodbye (to the extent possible) to plastic packaging.

Have you seen those images of the seabed full of bottles of mineral water? 

This data will shock you: in 2020 we will generate more than 500 million tons of plastic, and it is estimated that there are some 150 million tons in the sea.

If you find this as worrisome as I do, start making decisions today.

Some are very easy to incorporate into everyday life, for example: I always carry a reusable bottle with me. In this way, I avoid having to go to the usual plastic containers.

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A post shared by S'well (@swellbottle)

Also, I have several multi-use bags that have saved my life more than once. Carrying a folded one in my bag does not take up anything and with this simple habit I practically reduce the number of plastic bags that pass through my hands throughout the year to zero.

What are the trends in sustainable packaging that you should know about?

The truth is that in this field we have seen many changes in recent years. Thankfully: the industry and brands are getting their act together to tune in to the change in consumer habits.

For this reason, we will increasingly see less plastic and more environmentally responsible materials. For example:

Compostables: back to earth

As their name suggests, they can be broken down to create compost and used as fertilizer.

This type of packaging is replacing those used in food, mainly. In addition to being sustainable, they are pleasant to the touch and the design is very careful.

Check out these compostable trays! They can be put in the oven, microwave, fridge and freezer. Very practical.

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A post shared by Real Packaging Co New Zealand (@realpackagingco)

Packaging to reuse

Especially in the last year, and for safety reasons, disposable containers have increased a lot. Greenpeace already raised the alarm months ago and recommended betting on reusable ones.

But is it possible to do it? It is possible, if consumers ask for it and companies listen to us.

At this point the design of the products plays an important role . The truth is that we are used to opening a package and making the gesture of getting rid of it, but would we do it if we could reuse it? Probably not.

Here are a few ideas to improve habits by choosing better all the containers.

And look at this idea by Lékué , isn't it original? The very packaging of the product (its famous steam cooking cases) is also a cooking apron.

Recycled materials

In many packages the composition is already indicated. For example, labels that indicate that a piece of paper is recycled. So take a look and give priority to those that tell you that they are 100% recycled

That includes everything frompadding to protect fragile items to duct tape on boxes.

Everything can be recycled!

I hope my ideas have inspired you. Can you tell me how you choose the packaging of what you buy? Do you have any ideas to incorporate sustainable habits? I would love for you to share it!