The Circular Economy Journey
Click on each stage to understand how packaging moves through the circular economy. Each step presents different sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Design & Material Selection
Choose materials based on sustainability priorities
This is where the biggest impact decisions are made. Material choice affects everything downstream.
Different Views of Sustainability
There's no single "most sustainable" material. The best choice depends on your priorities and the specific context of your packaging application.
Carbon Footprint Focus
Prioritizes greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifecycle
Key Factors:
- Production energy
- Transport weight
- Recycling energy
- End-of-life emissions
Best Materials:
Paper, Some plastics, Lightweight metals
Trade-off: May accept lower recyclability for lower carbon
Material Trade-offs
Every packaging material has advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these trade-offs helps you make informed decisions based on your specific sustainability goals.
Glass
Advantages
- Infinite recyclability
- No microplastics
- Chemically inert
- Preserves product quality
Challenges
- High energy production
- Heavy (transport impact)
- Fragile (waste)
- High melting point
Key Takeaways
No Perfect Solution
Every material has trade-offs. Choose based on your specific priorities and context.
Think Circular
Consider the entire lifecycle, not just the initial environmental impact.
Continuous Improvement
Sustainability is a journey. Start where you are and improve over time.