What is Renewability in Packaging, and Why Should We Care?

The world is growing. Increased travel, greater populations in urban areas, and higher demand for convenience products and packaging are putting an alarming strain on the world’s supply of scarce natural resources. Supplies of clean air and water are under pressure; and oil, natural gas, and minerals are expected to run out by the end of this century.1 We are playing a self-destructive game with the limits of our planet, and the time to change, innovate, and lead is now.

Businesses can become leaders and protect their long-term sustainability by transitioning from the linear ‘take, make, dispose’ model for packaging to a circular, restorative model that considers every stage of the package life cycle.2 In particular, businesses could shift the traditional focus from the end of the package life cycle to the beginning, by considering the raw materials and quantity used in the creation of a package.

The main role of a package is to protect the product within, but as long as this is upheld, the sourcing of raw materials and renewability can become a priority.