Sustainable Materials for Cosmetic PackagingSustainable materials may be sourced from low environmental impact or renewable resources, be more durable with a longer lifecycle, have a smaller footprint to manufacture or use, or be easier to break down at end of life. Some can even be human-made materials, designed to help preserve natural resources.
Thereinto, biodegradable plastics have been advertised as one solution to the plastic pollution problem bedeviling the world.
A long time ago, many international famous cosmetics brands began to pay attention to the environmental protection of cosmetics. There are three criteria for the use of organic ingredients in cosmetics. When the green beauty products go forward in a down-to-earth way, what we can do is to let our dressing table perform and maintain the “environmental fashion“, and give back to the nature with the most practical actions.
One of the most popular eco-friendly packaging choices is post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging. PCR packaging is quickly gaining popularity, with projections showing that the industry will grow from 14.2 billion dollars in 2020 to 18.8 billion dollars by 2025.
The other one is Refillable packaging. Refillable cosmetic packaging can help companies reduce their impact and is a great way to engage with customers and build value for the product. It allows companies to drastically cut down the impact of plastics while encouraging customers to continue returning to and reusing the product.
By the way, do you know the PLA? As a viable plastic replacement, cornstarch offers a lot of possibilities when it comes to sustainable cosmetic packaging options. It is both biodegradable and recyclable, also making it a great choice for lotion bottles and skincare cream jars. It is also non-toxic and does not produce large amounts of emissions, which is why so many cosmetic companies are now looking into cornstarch as a suitable alternative.
Based on current market -Double-digit growth and high demand from major brands: Are they the ultimate solution for sustainability? Do they address all packaging issues? What types are available, what benefits do they offer, and what are their drawbacks?
In order to explain and explore these issues further, let's analysis it from the following aspects!
Market forecast:
The global bioplastic packaging market size reached US$ 17.99 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around US$ 87.98 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2024 to 2033.
What is a bioplastic and a biodegradable plastic?
Plastic packaging made from biological substances instead of petroleum. Biodegradable plastics decompose into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass through microbial action. They are typically produced from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or a combination of these sources.
What are they made from?
Bioplastic is made from plant-based sources like soybean oil, corn, or potato starch, unlike conventional petroleum-based plastics. Prominent bio-based and biodegradable plastics are hydrophilic, enabling hydro-degradation.
What are their most important characteristics?
> Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)
> Poly-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV)
> Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
> Polylactic acid. (PLA)
Fossil fuels and carbon footprint reduction.
Bio-based plastics reduce fossil resource dependence and improve carbon footprints. Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based plastics, bioplastics use plants, leading to lower emissions and potential biodegradability. Switching to bioplastics lowers climate impact by using atmospheric carbon.
>> Replacing fossil-based polyethylene (PE) with bio-based PE would save +73 million tonnes of CO2 (20 million flights), emissions annually. <<
Circular economy booster.
Bioplastics, are key to a circular economy, using renewable or recycled materials. They can lower carbon footprints, offer beneficial material properties, and be compatible with recycling or biodegradation. However, they face challenges such as agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear end-of-life management, and higher costs.
Any negative points to be aware?
> Growing crops for bioplastics competes with food production land.
> In landfills, these products may not biodegrade without specific conditions.
> In anaerobic landfills, some compostable plastics can emit methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
In conclusion:
One thing that’s clear is that this is an exciting time for eco-friendly cosmetic packaging. With so many alternatives to plastic emerging, the future of the beauty industry and its packaging is on its way to becoming more sustainable.
With greater emphasis on renewable materials that are biodegradable and recyclable, there is more opportunity for impact. Cosmetics companies looking to stand out in a competitive market and create a more impactful and authentic connection with customers can accomplish this by incorporating eco-friendly cosmetic packaging into their brand initiatives.
We hope the following samples can inspire you for your next success.
Post time: 2024-08-05 17:43:36
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