The rise of Compostable Packagings

Compostable packaging is now thriving on the market. Well, is paper bottle packaging practical and sustainable? Find out the answer with this article. 

Some brands of paper bottles are advocating anti-plastic sentiment. Paper bottles are commonly used now in the beverage market. However, it is not a new innovation since it was already under development a few years ago with brands such as Carlsberg, The Coca-Cola Company, and start-up brand Paboco. 

Paper bottle packaging as an alternative to plastic packaging

One main disadvantage of plastic packaging is the lack of transparency. Usually, paper is suggested as an alternative to plastic packaging. Many companies shift to paper-based packaging to reduce plastic use.

Meanwhile, paper packaging needs more mass to fulfill a similar function to its plastic counterpart. Paper has a higher overall environmental impact except for its carbon footprint. In addition, replacing plastic with paper can be a serious problem in supply. With that, paper is a short-term solution and can shift the burden for problems in packaging. 

Do paper bottles cost a premium to plastic?

Commonly, paper products for packaging have a 10 to 20 cents per piece premium. It is a challenge to adopt paper packaging. With this, the industry adopts bigger feedstock through using agricultural waste fibers with softwood and hardwood fibers. With the use of waste fibers, brands can attain more sustainability. It can also lower the cost and reduce the price premium for products. 

What are other beverage markets that can be vulnerable for plastic to paper bottle shift?

Another beverage market that may face possible penetration from paper bottles is bottled water. However, cans and aluminum bottles dominate more as a plastic alternative than paper. Some start-ups are Wallaby Water, Reign Water Company, Open Water and CanO Water. 

Should suppliers of plastic bottles be nervous?

The suppliers of plastic bottles don’t need to be nervous due to the rise of paper bottles. With the innovation of recycling technologies, plastic bottles can have a higher recycle rate that allows a circular economy for plastics. Therefore, it can be unlikely for alternative materials like paper bottles to disrupt the industry of plastic. 

Plastic bottle packaging still dominates the beverage packaging market. Many recycling processes are developed to enhance the plastic bottle industry. Most companies still prefer plastic bottle packaging to grow their business. 

Paper bottle technical challenges

The paper bottle industry comes with technical challenges. It needs coating and plastic liner inside to offer a moisture barrier as well as resistance from environmental factors. Moreover, the closure and cap of the paper bottles are plastic or aluminum-based. So, it requires it to be separated into various recycling streams. 

What are the advantages of paper bottle packaging?

The growing paper bottle packaging industry also comes with some benefits. 

Sustainable

One advantage of paper bottle packaging is sustainability. It is made from recyclable, renewable and biodegradable materials, which can convert biogas into clean energy. It can maximize compostability with the most sustainable packaging solutions. 

An innovative solution to the plastic problem

Paper bottle packaging is considered an innovative solution to the plastic problem. Thus, it uses natural materials and barriers. It also helps to save the environment. 

Brandable

Another benefit of compostable liquid packaging is that it is brandable. It can be designed in different shapes, functions and aesthetics with different production operations. You can choose the design that can suit to your brand. With this, you can establish a unique style of paper bottle packaging that will separate your company from your competitors in the market. 

Environment-friendly

Since paper bottles are 100% recyclable, it provides essential environmental benefits. It is made from a renewable resource from sustainably managed forests. Additionally, it also lowers CO2 emissions by about 52% than a standard-size bottle. It is believed to be a good substitute to plastic bottles.   

Transforming waste into value

Another benefit of the paper bottle packaging industry is that waste can be transformed into value. It offers sustainability at just a lower cost within an optimized supply chain. The production process makes waste material like boxes and paper repurposed into a paper bottle. Aside from reducing solid waste, it can provide measurable benefits than traditional packaging. 

Plastic vs Paper bottles

Even though paper bottles offer sustainability, they can’t be a threat to the plastic bottle market. Plastic or paper bottles, which is more sustainable?

Sustainability

Paper is safer to the environment compared to plastics. However, it is quite confusing which is more sustainable between plastic bottles and paper bottles. Production of paper bottles needs more materials which can also cause negative impacts to the environment from production, disposal and use. 

Costs

Paper bottles can cost more compared to plastic bottles production. The manufacturing process of plastic production can be refined for optimal efficiency. On the other hand, filling, setting and capping paper bottles require more time and can be costly. 

Recyclability

There are many recycling systems for plastics that reduce plastic waste. Effective waste management can be a solution to the plastic problem. However, alternative materials like paper are also essential. 

The future of paper bottle packaging

With the continuous innovation of technology, the beverage packaging industry will continue to grow. Meanwhile, paper bottles are not yet there. It still requires time and more innovative solutions to enhance the production of paper bottles. 

The industry of paper bottles still doesn’t surpass the plastic bottle’s packaging. It still needs more time and costs more in the production process. In addition, it also has a more complex manufacturing process that may need more labor. 

When it comes to plastic bottle packaging, many recycling streams are developed. With that, the production of plastic bottles is more efficient. It also makes the manufacturing process faster. 

Conclusion

Some companies adopt solutions to reduce the problem with plastic waste. Among these is paper bottle packaging. Meanwhile, it also leads to a set of sustainability challenges. To sum it up, paper packaging will continue to develop, but it will not be a substantial threat to the industry of plastics. 

Plastic bottles production is still more cost-effective and sustainable compared to paper bottle packaging. Like what we mentioned above, it takes more budget, time and effort to produce paper bottles. However, paper bottles are a good alternative to plastic bottles.