Plastic-free packaging is often treated as a binary – either you’ve achieved it, or you haven’t. The reality is more complex. The move toward a landscape free of packaging waste is a long journey, and we should not lose sight of what’s possible now by focusing only on the finish line. Ideally, all materials could coexist if circular end-of-life management were consistent across types – but this is not yet the case.
Rather than waiting for a universal “perfect” packaging solution, we must take steady, achievable steps toward recyclable, circular alternatives that meet functional needs, economic realities, and environmental goals.
Plastic waste is still everywhere
Packaging remains a major contributor to waste. While demand for plastic-free solutions is growing, plastic is embedded in modern packaging. Its barrier properties, durability, and lightness preserve food, prevent spoilage, and maintain safety.
From moisture-sensitive powders to frozen food, plastic remains essential. Alternatives are evolving but face challenges in cost, scalability, and performance. Governments worldwide recognise this. Instead of calling for an outright ban, the EU and countries such as Canada, and the UK to name a few, are focusing on phased reduction – acknowledging that the journey to zero plastic waste requires multiple steps.
Different sectors will also move at different speeds. Sector-specific roadmaps are needed, not blanket approaches. If we focus only on the “end goal” of total elimination, we risk stalling progress where alternatives are not yet viable.
Plastic-light fibre hybrid solutions
Effective interim options already exist. Plastic-light hybrid materials, such as PE-coated cartonboard, use as little as 3–5% plastic layered onto recycled fibre-based cartonboard. While not plastic-free, they cut virgin plastic use while providing barrier protection for frozen food, dry goods, and pet food. With the right infrastructure, they can be collected with paper waste and the fibres recycled and plastic waste being under control and managed. In the EU statistics, this material will reach its end of life in the highest recycling rated recycling stream – papers, reaching 87% in 2023 according to Eurostat.[1]
What next?
Policy, investment, and innovation must align to accelerate progress. This means backing bio-coatings and alternative barrier materials, while building infrastructure to recycle fibre-based formats. Extended Producer Responsibility should reward businesses that create links and collaborate for a common goals of circularity, in our case a collaboration of paper with plastics industry.
Clear consumer communication is equally vital. People need to know which materials are truly recyclable, how to dispose of them, and why it matters.
Towards circularity, one step at a time
The journey to zero packaging waste will involve missteps and turns. But steady progress is more valuable than waiting for the “perfect” solution. Pragmatic steps – including recyclable combined materials, incentives for innovation, and stronger infrastructure – can deliver immediate benefits while paving the way for circularity.
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/product/page/cei_wm020