Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups in the packaging industry. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising zero waste solutions for packaging.
Heat Map: 5 Top Zero Waste Packaging Startups
For our 5 picks of zero waste packaging startups, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 interesting examples out of 180 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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PulpWorks – Recyclable Packaging
Waste generation can be lowered through a variety of options including reducing, reusing, or recycling — as in using materials that have already been produced and reconstructing them into new packaging. The US-based startup PulpWorks offers recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable products, molded from 100% post-consumer waste paper and agriculture. The packaging contains no plastics of any kind and can be discarded in curbside compost or recycling bins.
Avani – Renewable Packaging
Renewable content refers to the manufacturing of a bio-based package from natural resources, which can be replenished through a natural process. Plants become packaging, after using and degrading comes back to the soil as a fertilizer for new plants. The Indonesian startup Avani specializes in sustainable packaging made from renewable resources such as cassava starch. These are 100% biodegradable and edible. This startup’s carrier bag dissolves when placed in warm water, providing a solution for the plastic-ridden ocean.
Loliware – Edible Packaging
In attempts to lessen the environmental impact of packaging, some companies have taken the initiative to completely eliminate food packaging or to devise some kind of packaging that’s edible, so that the waste doesn’t end up in the oceans and landfills. New York-based company Loliware is dedicated to replacing plastic with hyper compostable, edible materials derived from seaweed. With the launch of their compostable and edible drinking straw, the company is in line to compete with biobased plastics that break down in the organics bins alongside food waste in 60 days or fewer.
Lifepack – Plantable Packaging
Zero-waste can be obtained when products have seeds embedded in their packaging material. This sort of package is planted after the product is consumed, ending up with flowers or plants and zero packaging waste. The US-based company Lifepack produces 100% compostable, biodegradable and plantable packaging made from corn husk and seeds. Their sustainable packaging is manufactured based on an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way. Their plates are able to grow new forms of life within days of being planted.
Aarohana EcoSocial Developments – Upcycling Packaging
Upcycling is the practice of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials, or products of higher quality and value than the original. In the process of upcycling, manufacturers can save over 90% of the energy required to make brand new products from scratch. Indian startup Aarohana EcoSocial Developments is a social enterprise that focuses on plastic waste management. This startup upcycles discarded plastic bags into beautiful accessories like shopping bags, in order to reduce the amount of plastic entering the waste stream.
What About The Other 175 Zero Waste Packaging Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 5 zero waste packaging startups showcased above are promising examples out of 180 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
