3 Sustainable Packaging Trends for 2025
The global sustainable packaging market is projected to grow by more than $140 billion over the next five years, with North America being the largest segment of that market. What’s on the horizon in this industry?
In this blog, we take a deeper dive into three sustainable packaging trends:
- Consumers driving market growth and innovation
- A new emphasis on streamlined, minimalist packaging design
- A shift away from plastic packaging to paper products
Is your business ready to capitalize on the sustainable packaging trends shaping 2025? Keep reading to learn more.
1. Consumer Demands are Changing Packaging
Growth in Online Shopping Driving Changes in Packaging
Consumers are leading the charge in making packaging more sustainable, a trend fueled in part by the rise of online shopping during the 2020 pandemic. While many returned to in-store shopping a year or so later, a significant number found they preferred the convenience of shopping from home. The surge in home delivery of consumer goods has permanently shifted buying habits, driving demand for more sustainable packaging solutions.
Consumer Awareness of Sustainable Practices
This shift in shopping habits means businesses—from small Etsy vendors to large e-commerce platforms—must meet consumer demand for sustainable packaging.
It also prompted consumers to take a hard look at the environmental impact of their shopping. Over half of consumers in a recent survey said they'd pay more for products in sustainable packaging. Gen Z and Millennials are the most concerned about sustainability.
This new focus on sustainability has led two key trends:
- Consumers prefer receiving multiple orders in one delivery to reduce the carbon footprint and packaging waste.
- Consumers are seeking more sustainable packaging options that are easier to dispose of responsibly.
“Recyclable” vs. Curbside Recyclable
Some plastic bubble may be labeled as 'recyclable,' but they are not curbside recyclable, requiring special handling at facilities that are often not easily accessible to most communities, meaning much of this plastic ends up in landfills. Adding to the challenge, even a simple label or piece of tape stuck to the bubble can render it unrecyclable.
With this in mind, sustainable packaging solutions like HexcelWrap™ and HexaFil™ from HexcelPack were introduced, with a simple mission: to replace the world’s single-use plastic packaging with paper-based alternatives that offer unmatched protection and sustainability. Every product we create is 100% recyclable and biodegradable, so consumers and brands can feel confident knowing they are making an environmentally responsible choice.
2. Minimalist Packaging
Practical Benefits for Both Consumers and Businesses
Not only are consumers focused on sustainability, but they’re also advocating for minimalist packaging. Using fewer materials and simpler designs reduces environmental impact. By eliminating excess layers and choosing recyclable or biodegradable packaging options, brands can attract eco-conscious consumers.
Additional benefits of minimalist packaging include:
- Cost savings on packaging for retailers, which may be passed on to consumers
- Reduced freight volume, helping ease the burden on the overtaxed logistics industry
- Packaging designed for reuse or refilling, especially in the beauty sector
- Inspiration for greater innovation in packaging
Minimalist packing isn’t just about cutting down on materials–it’s about finding new ways to do more with less. HexcelPack’s family of packaging products are recognized in the industry for their functionality and sustainability. These products can be used independently or synergistically together to protect nearly everything:
- HexcelWrap™: A protective wrap engineered to secure your products during shipping.
- HexaFil™: A protective void fill that enhances the cushioning and padding of packaging.
- HexcelStretch™: A protective mailer that keeps items safe throughout their journey.
- Hexcel’Ope™: A protective solution specifically for wrapping pallets.
Social media influencers, for example, prefer minimalist packaging because it’s not only more aesthetically pleasing but also easier to showcase in unboxing videos. The clean, sleek design of minimalist packaging allows the product itself to shine, making it more likely to attract attention and generate buzz on social media. This streamlined approach enhances the unboxing experience, making it feel more premium while reducing the hassle of dealing with excessive layers of packaging. The visual appeal of minimalist packaging also speaks to the values of modern consumers—emphasizing both sustainability and style, which is why it has become such a powerful trend in the consumer market.
3. Shift from Plastic to Paper in Packaging
Paper is a Sustainable Choice
Plastic is notorious for its environmental impact because it takes hundreds of years to break down and contributes to pollution in oceans and landfills. Paper, on the other hand, is biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable, making it a more eco-friendly option.
Additionally, paper generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to plastic–especially if it’s made from recycled materials or sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Plastic Bans and Restrictions
Many countries, regions, and cities are implementing bans or restrictions on plastic packaging. For example, the European Union has introduced regulations that require a significant percentage of packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. These measures are pushing businesses to adopt more sustainable alternatives, such as paper.
HexcelPack: Leading the Way in Sustainable Packaging
The shift from plastic to paper packaging is driven by the need to minimize environmental impact, meet evolving consumer expectations, comply with tightening regulations, and leverage the practical benefits that paper offers, including functionality, cost-effectiveness, and a positive public image.
At HexcelPack, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transition. Our sustainable packaging solutions, such as HexcelWrap, HexaFil, Hexcel’Ope, and HexcelStretch are reshaping how businesses approach packaging.
We also provide a range of dispensing systems, including manual, automatic, and custom solutions to streamline operations across retail, manufacturing, logistics, and more.
To learn more about our products and dispensers, contact us today.
