Sustainable packaging involves using materials that cause less harm to the environment by being recyclable, biodegradable, or having a lower carbon footprint. Traditional materials, like plastic, take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to pollution in landfills and oceans. In contrast, materials like mycelium decomposes within weeks, is CO2 negative and even contributes to soil health when composted.
However, transitioning to eco-friendly packaging can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. These companies often face obstacles such as setup costs, longer production times, and inflexible order quantities, making it difficult to switch to more sustainable options.