Brands Ditched Plastic Packaging and Switched To Compostable Pouches

Danish toymaker LEGO has announced that they will transition to plastic-free packaging, part of a $400 million investment “to accelerate sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.” Instead of using the typical plastic bags to hold loose bricks, the firm will begin using FSC-certified, sustainably-sourced paper pouches. LEGO plans to make all of its packaging sustainable by 2025.

The trial versions of the paper bags were a hit with children, which, according to LEGO, liked that the new packaging was both more sustainable and more straightforward to open than the current plastic bags.

In addition to replacing the plastic found in LEGO set packaging, the firm is also looking for alternative materials for the over 75 billion pieces the company produces annually. According to LEGO, only 2% of its materials portfolio consists of non-petroleum substitutes such as bioplastics made from sugar cane, but the firm has set a goal of using 100% sustainable materials.

Allpress Espresso, a New Zealand-based gourmet coffee and cafe chain, has debuted an industrially compostable coffee packaging; it performs just as well as conventional bags containing petroleum-based plastic, and it joins their line of compostable single-use cups.

In addition to using compostable materials, they took exceptional care to ensure they created something memorable and beautiful. They wanted consumers to have a sensory experience, as they thought the packaging should both feel and sound great when you take it off the shelf, and it gives way to a satisfactory crackle when held.

The new bags retain a kraft paper exterior as well as the brand’s traditional visual elements like the coffee-inspired colors. The outside, save for a removable valve, makes use of inks, adhesives, and paper that are all compostable. Even the interior of the side gusset pouch comes lined with a plant-based biopolymer, which is also compostable. You want a compostable valve? No problem, BPS can provide a fully compostable pouch for you, including the valve.