Four paths to sustainability

摘要

Sustainable packaging was once a niche that only a small minority of the consumers took notice of.As a result,a small number of products boasted of how environmentally friendly their packaging was,and few consumers gave this factor any importance when shopping.However,more consumers are now becoming aware of the impact that packaging can have on the environment and,as a result,ethical packaging is now becoming a’must have’quality when purchasing a product.This sudden interest in sustainability in recent years has been driven by more open discussion via social media,and increased government lobbying resulting in action against plastics such as plastic bags.This increased focus on environmental impact is creating new opportunities for sustainable packaging materials.This article analyses the role four emerging sustainable materials can play in boosting material substitution in packaging markets,and the drivers and inhibitors affecting the impact of sustainable packaging materials.