Renewable materials help consumers put plastic in the past

In 10 seconds? Environmental impacts and health concerns are turning more and more people against the use of plastics. Although the case against them is not black and white, several bio-based and degradable materials offer a viable consumer alternative.

What's the story? With news of patches of plastic floating in the oceans and tiny particles getting into the food chain, consumers are demanding change. Enter fiber-based renewable materials that can be used in packaging, construction, and even furniture manufacturing! Coincidence or not, the two largest CO2 emitters – i.e. China and the US – are the largest producers of wrapping, packaging paper, and paperboard, accounting for 49% of global production, according to data from 2013. And this was before the pandemic when increased growth of e-commerce and home deliveries nearly doubled the demand for carboard in 2021 alone.