Around 19 million tonnes of packaging waste was generated in 2019 in Germany alone – more than ever before. Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the rubbish heap has only continued to grow. One of the reasons was the increased use of takeaway packaging, such as cups for coffee to go or plastic bowls. But the call for alternatives is growing louder: almost 3/4 of consumers place importance on sustainable packaging solutions, as a study by the management consultancy Simon-Kucher shows.
However, there is no precise definition of sustainable packaging. Many factors play a role, for example the use of recycled and recyclable materials in its production, as well as a low total CO2 footprint – from manufacturing through to disposal. A bag made from renewable resources, for instance, isn’t necessarily sustainable when the material is produced overseas and transported halfway around the globe.
‘Blanket demands like “Paper, not plastic!” don’t help,’ says Carolina Schweig, who works at her engineering office outside Hamburg to develop sustainable packaging concepts. ‘The point is to choose the appropriate material with the greatest benefit and the least environmental impact, according to the product and purpose.’ The first steps in the right direction, in her view: ‘Everyone should ask themselves if the packaging is really necessary. If it is, can it be made smaller, thinner or lighter? Is it recyclable? Is there a viable reusable solution instead?’