黑料吃瓜

Evidence of the global waste crisis - and its causes - are everywhere. No corner of our world is safe, from littered beaches on a secluded islands to overpopulated cities with garbage bins overflowing with cardboard boxes and packaging materials.

While there鈥檚 no denying that prepackaged and individually wrapped commodities are a convenience, 鈥済rab and go鈥� or single-use items are a major contributor to the trash problem. One-click purchases and free two-day shipping have become the norm, but the added expediency comes with environmental tradeoffs.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about of plastic enter our oceans every year; some studies claim we are on pace to have . Similar problems exist on land. Recyclable waste, including paper packaging and cardboard, can still end up in landfills. In addition to the , many facilities are simply they receive and cannot .

These problems are driving new consumer behavior that represents both a threat and opportunity for a variety of packaging-intensive industries. An increasing cohort of consumers have made attempts to offset the environmental impacts of the 鈥渢hrow-away鈥� culture. Through their buying behaviors, , including biodegradable and compostable packaging alternatives. Growing that better fit the desires of both current and future customers.

Figure 1. Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging patents filed between 2012 and 2018. Source:

It鈥檚 this growing environmentalism and public scrutiny that鈥檚 also forcing manufacturers and retailers around the world to reconsider their inventory, plastic-heavy packaging, and shipping methods. An unexpected leader of this sustainability movement is Walmart. For over a decade, : to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, to create zero waste, and to sell products that sustain our resources and environment. The company has made its supply chain greener while also in packaging. Others are following suit; having . Corporate environmentalism- or at least interest in green, 鈥渆co-friendly鈥� solutions- has steadily grown year over year over the past decade.

Figure 2. Search results for "Recyclable Packaging" patents filled under CPC Subclass B65D between 2010-2018. Source:

Large and small companies have begun turning to eco-friendly solutions, like using , biodegradable materials, and plastic-free packaging. But there is still more work to do and a long way to go. Here are a few inspiring startups, publications, and patents that are leading the way:

Startups

(now PackBenefit) designs and manufacturers a proprietary pulp packaging product, which is fully biodegradable and recyclable. ()  

designs, manufactures, and distributes Cradle-to-Cradle鈩� certified, tree-free, compostable packaging for the food and industrial packaging industries. ()  

is a film-based flexible packaging manufacturer, actively pursuing the latest in flexible packaging and biodegradable plastics technologies. ()  

seeks to replace existing packaging technology with truly compostable, organic, sustainable alternatives. ()  

manufactures pallets and specializes in packaging, fulfillment and recycling. ()  

develops edible packaging to help reduce the financial and environmental burden of current trends in the food industry. () 

is biodegradable and microplastic-free material with unlimited design possibilities from packaging to hangers. () 

creates biodegradable packaging films that dissolves with water, oxygen and naturally occurring bacteria. () 

Publications

Patents

For more insights like this on other trending markets, check out the entire Data Spotlight series or , today.