Eco-Friendly Packaging: Balancing Functionality and Sustainability

Sustainable packaging is becoming a vital focus for companies striving to reduce their environmental impact, and the innovations featured in this article highlight the industry's progress. From McKernan Packaging Clearing House's commitment to eco-friendly solutions through its Precycle program and PCR packaging options to Epopack's new AQ and MJ6 series offering recyclable, customizable designs, these advancements showcase how packaging can prioritize both functionality and sustainability without compromising quality or aesthetics.

Precycling & PCR

50% PP PCR disc-top caps from McKernan Packaging Clearing HouseMcKernan Packaging Clearing HouseMcKernan Packaging Clearing House has always strived to push towards an eco-friendly future with its Precycle program, and in recent years, added a full line of PCR bottles, jars and closures.

“McKernan offers a wide range of PCR containers and closures. Our most popular offerings include 100% PET PCR 8 oz clear bottles and jars, as well as 50% PP PCR disc-top caps,” said Maria Alexeeva, sales manager at McKernan Packaging Clearing House. 

100% PET PCR 8 oz clear bottle from McKernan Packaging Clearing HouseMcKernan Packaging Clearing HouseAlexeeva adds, “At McKernan, we recognize that PCR packaging, along with our Precycle program, plays a vital role in continuing our commitment towards a more sustainable future. Sustainability is also a priority shared by many of our customers, and we are dedicated to supporting these efforts. We take pride in offering high-quality PCR packaging components that are environmentally friendly, and do not compromise on quality. These products are designed and manufactured using advanced technology, which enables us to produce PCR with exceptional clarity and color quality.”

Epopack Launches AQ and MJ6 Series: Sustainable, Customizable Packaging

Epopack's AQ seriesEpopackEpopack recently introduced new packaging designs including the AQ series and MJ6 series, offering recyclable, customizable packaging solutions that combine premium aesthetics with environmental responsibility.

AQ series features includes: 

• New flush cap design
• PET cap, PET bottle (both are also available to be 100% PCR PET)
• Available in size 30 ml, 60 ml, 100 ml
• Wide range of attachment options such as sprayer and treatment pumps in different designs.
• Decoration options such as printing, hot stamping, injection color.

Epopack's MJ6 seriesEpopackMJ6 series features includes: 

• Monomaterial jars (also available to be 100% PCR PET)
• Heavy wall style creates the premium look and touch.
• Available in size 10 ml, 15 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml
• Decoration options such as printing, hot stamping, injection color.

EcoPro Fragrance Sampling Label

Orlandi’s new Reveal EcoPro Fragrance Sampling Label can be applied to printed cards or magazine inserts for distribution and handouts to consumers.OrlandiOrlandi’s new Reveal EcoPro Fragrance Sampling Label, featured at Luxepack LA, is an eco-friendly label that is paper-based, film-free and foil-free. The label can be applied to printed cards or magazine inserts for distribution and handouts to consumers.

Per Orlandi, the Reveal fragrance formula additives (and many fragrance ingredients) are FDA approved and Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for cosmetics use. They are either already natural or are biodegradable, and contain no polymers or animal products.

Plastic-free Packaging Alternatives

A new concept for beauty pallettes that uses zero plastic components and allows consumers to swap out the pan with different pigments/products.Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) / Roberts BeautyIBG / Roberts Beauty’s plastic-free palette features an all-metal design with no adhesives or magnets, and a tray system that physically locks the pans in place. Properties of the Plastic-Free Palette include:

• Customizable pan layouts and configurations.
• Refillable and replaceable pans for sustainability without compromising style.

Eco Flat Cap Pour Spouts made with 100% Oceanworks Resin

Eco Flat Cap Pour Spots by IBG/Roberts Beauty: 100% recycled ocean material, designed for easy dispensing and perfect for skin, hair, or body care products.Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) / Roberts BeautyIBG / Roberts Beauty’s Eco Flat Cap Pour Spots is one of the first packaging materials in the beauty industry that is made from 100% recycled material from the ocean. What sets Oceanworks PCR apart is their proprietary processing, which ensures high purity and consistency, mimicking the quality of virgin resins. This fully recycled flip-top closure featuring Oceanworks resin allows for formulas to be easily dispensed into the hand or onto applicators by gently tipping the bottle. According to IBG, the design is suitable for skin, hair, or body care products by offering controlled formula flow for low to medium viscosity formulas. 

Paper Tubes from Albéa Tubes

Albéa Tubes introduces the Metamorphosis tube, a paper-based cosmetic packaging made with up to 50% FSC-certified paper, paired with the lightweight EcoFusion Top. Launched at LuxePack LA, it offers an eco-friendly solution to reduce plastic use in beauty products.Albea TubesAlbéa Tubes recently unveiled a new paper-based cosmetic tube, the Metamorphosis tube, now manufactured at its Queretaro facility in Mexico. The company showcased the paper-based tube alongside its Slight Cap, a low-profile cap with a 17% weight reduction, at the LuxePack LA event this February.

The tube is made with up to 50% FSC-certified paper and paired with the EcoFusion Top, which integrates the tube head and cap. According to Albea, this design achieves 80% weight reduction compared to traditional beauty tube heads and caps.

With this launch, Albéa Tubes provides North American brands and consumers an eco-friendly packaging solution that can significantly reduce plastic use and help minimize the environmental footprint of beauty products.

Annia Spahr, product manager Albéa Tubes North America, says, "We are excited to offer our North American customers a sustainable and innovative packaging solution that is produced locally, thus supporting their sustainability goals. The 'Metamorphosis' tube combined with EcoFusion Top perfectly illustrates our common commitment to reduce plastic use and environmental impact at the same time."

Luxie by Lux Lingua: Transforming Sustainability Storytelling in Beauty and Personal Care Packaging

Luxie transforms QR Codes into artistic, branded tools for storytelling, enhancing customer engagement through design and interactive experiences.Lux LinguaLuxie is the latest QR Code innovation from the storytelling agency Lux Lingua. Luxie

epitomizes the future of the QR Code symbol, bringing it from a useful, industrial,

black and white tool to a full-blown artistic addition to packaging with endless storytelling and informational potential.

Luxie claims it was born from the needs of companies and institutions to:

• Customize packaging and communications assets to align with their branding.
• Overcome the space limitations on packaging that restrict the ability to share stories and sustainability initiatives.
• Get data on consumers’ preferences.

Aurelie Colin-Thevenet, Luxie says, “Right now, QR Code use cases are extremely limited. Most of the time, after scanning, you will only be redirected to a company’s website. But, since the COVID Pandemic, the QR Code symbol has become ubiquitous. People of all ages, from children to seniors, have become accustomed to scanning QR codes, whether to view a restaurant menu or gain access to a location. However, the storytelling potential is still largely untapped.”

Colin-Thevenet adds, “Luxie changes the consumer experience primarily through design. Exit the traditional black-and-white QR Code: Luxie lets you customize it with your logo, colors, and even a hybrid of artificial intelligence and human design. As the design is more appealing and more brand-oriented, it catches people’s attention more easily. Luxie then changes customer journeys through experiences. By creating emotion and surprise, Luxie encourages consumers to engage more deeply with brands and products. It can take the form of a story—such as a fable—a quiz, an augmented reality experience, a dedicated landing page, a survey, and more.”