- Packaging and Global Plastic Waste: Figures and Context
- Material Choice and Environmental Impact: What Life Cycle Assessments Show
- Recyclability vs. Actual Recycling
- Packaging in the Circular Economy
- Design, Durability and Resource Use
- Sustainability as a Data-Driven Decision
- PAPER & TEA and Our Contribution to Sustainable Packaging
Packaging and Global Plastic Waste: Figures and Context
Packaging is a key factor in environmental and resource-related issues. Worldwide, packaging accounts for around 40% of all plastic waste, as it is predominantly used for short-lived applications such as transport and protection. (Source: https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/packaging-is-the-source-of-40-of-the-planets-plastic-waste)
In addition, approximately 300–400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, while less than 10% is recycled (Source: https://www.boell.de/en/2024/01/06/plastic-waste)
These figures illustrate that packaging decisions must always be viewed in the context of a structural problem: inefficient collection, sorting, and recycling systems on a global scale.
Material Choice and Environmental Impact: What Life Cycle Assessments Show
The choice of packaging material affects the environmental footprint across the entire life cycle. Life cycle assessment studies show that weight, volume, and stackability of packaging have a measurable impact on transport emissions. Lighter packaging can reduce fuel consumption during transport and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions (Source: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/66fcf067-d069-11ee-b9d9-01aa75ed71a1; as of 2024)
Paper-based packaging often requires less energy in production compared with solid metal or plastic packaging. However, it should also be noted that paper production involves significant water and energy use, particularly during pulp manufacturing.
What is pulp production?
Pulp production is the industrial process of breaking down wood into its cellulose fibres, which are then used to make paper and cardboard. Other components of the wood are removed, which involves energy, water, and chemical use, significantly affecting the environmental footprint of paper products.
Reliable sustainability assessment therefore always requires a holistic view of all life cycle stages – from raw material extraction to disposal.
Recyclability vs. Actual Recycling
Paper-based packaging is generally considered highly recyclable. However, it is important to distinguish between theoretical recyclability and the actual recycling rate. Not every recyclable package is effectively recycled, as collection, sorting, and existing infrastructure play a crucial role.
In the European Union, the most recent data show an average of 35.3 kg of plastic packaging waste per person per year, of which around 14.8 kg was recycled, corresponding to a real recycling rate of about 40% (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20251022-1; as of October 2025)
Paper and cardboard packaging in the EU achieve significantly higher recycling rates, ranging from 60% to over 80%, depending on the member state (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics; as of 2023)
These differences show that material choice is an important lever but must always be considered alongside functioning collection and recycling systems.
Packaging in the Circular Economy
Sustainable packaging concepts go beyond material substitution and are part of the so-called circular economy. The goal is to keep materials in the economic cycle for as long as possible and to minimise waste.
Analyses by international environmental organisations show that reuse and take-back systems can make a substantial contribution to reducing packaging waste. Estimates suggest that reuse models could prevent a large proportion of plastic packaging pollution by 2040 (Source: https://packagingeurope.com/news/roadmap-to-global-reduction-of-plastic-waste-laid-out-in-new-un-report/9814.article; May 2023)
These findings underline that sustainable packaging is always also a question of system design and consumption structures.
Overview of Potential Reuse Models
Reuse models rely on durable, multi-use packaging instead of single-use items to reduce resource consumption and plastic pollution. Some existing models include:
- Reusable packaging in retail: Deposit bottles, refillable cans or cartons; returned in stores or at deposit machines
- Bring-back/return systems: Packaging is returned to retailers or delivery services and refilled
- Refill stations: Consumers refill products themselves (e.g., tea, shampoo, cleaning products)
- Loan or circular models: Shipping and transport packaging is used multiple times within supply chains
Design, Durability and Resource Use
Besides material and disposal, packaging design also influences its environmental impact. Scientific approaches such as Design for Sustainability (DfS) emphasise that durable, timeless design can help reduce resource use caused by frequent re-manufacture.
DfS means designing products and packaging from the outset to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This includes choosing sustainable materials, ensuring long durability, easy reuse or recyclability, and efficient use of energy and resources throughout the life cycle. The aim is to reduce environmental impact without compromising product quality or functionality (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/design-for-sustainability)
Design focused on long-term use, refilling, or repurposing can reduce environmental impact over the entire product life cycle.
Sustainability as a Data-Driven Decision
Sustainable packaging is not merely a trend choice, but the result of data-driven considerations between material selection, life cycle impacts, recyclability, and systemic conditions.
Switching to paper-based packaging can make a positive contribution, but its impact is only fully realised when embedded within appropriate systems and infrastructure.
PAPER & TEA and Our Contribution to Sustainable Packaging
At PAPER & TEA, we go far beyond aesthetic packaging: Our shift to paper-based packaging is part of a holistic approach that considers life cycle assessments, recyclability, and the circular economy. We deliberately apply Design for Sustainability to make packaging durable, reusable, and environmentally friendly. At the same time, we explore reuse models and take-back systems where it makes sense to reduce waste.
Our goal is not only to minimise environmental impact but also to make responsibility visible and share our expertise in sustainable packaging. This way, every cup of tea at PAPER & TEA represents a step towards a sustainable future.
Licence & Use
Content on this page is available under CC BY 4.0. When reusing, please credit PAPER & TEA – Packaging & Sustainability and link to this article.
