Molded pulp packaging is often heralded as an eco-friendly form of packaging. But how sustainable is it in reality? Are all forms of molded pulp packaging created equal?

Since molded pulp packaging mainly relies on plant-based products, it is often considered a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging such as plastic or polystyrene (styrofoam). A study conducted in the Journal of Food Additives and Contaminants found that one-quarter of the 125 tonnes of plastic produced each year is used for packaging purposes. Unfortunately, plastic can take thousands of years to biodegrade properly and much of it ends up in oceans, waterways, and natural habitats. Therefore, in comparison to plastic, molded pulp packaging offers a way to package food and goods without contributing vast amounts of plastic waste into the environment.

Furthermore, harvesting and manufacturing pulp fibers usually presents a relatively low environmental impact. For instance, using recycled paper and Kraft products extends the lifespan of products that would otherwise go to waste. Using plant-based materials means harvesting from renewable resources and creating a final product that is usually bio-degradable.

While a general comparison between plastic and molded pulp suggests that molded pulp is the more sustainable option, what about the variation amongst molded pulp fibers? Are some molded pulp products more sustainable than others?

When assessing the sustainability of various forms of molded pulp fibers, it is important to consider both the source materials and the additives used in the manufacturing process, as both of these elements can have considerable environmental impacts.

Although molded pulp that relies on tree-products may technically be utilizing a renewable resource, there are still important environmental considerations to make when harvesting trees. For instance, the removal of mass amounts of trees can seriously impact complex ecosystems that rely on them for nourishment, cover, and soil stability. Furthermore, trees act as important “carbon sinks” as they take in carbon from the air and replace it with oxygen.

Packaging to goods just like clothes to people. Without packaging, goods cannot be well preserved and will be easy to be damaged by outside force. And the importance of it had already been realized by the early people,from taking some plants or metals as the materials to pack, to the new-style materials such as the most popular one in contemporary society, the green packaging, the history of packaging has not only shown human’s wisdom but also the progress in people’s views and values. Even the container for perfume has been made ineco perfume bottles.
In general, original pack, traditional pack and modern pack are the three periods for packaging.

During the period of original pack, plants were used firstly as the materials of packages. The end products including baskets of reeds, wineskins, wooden boxes, wooden barrels and woven bags. The study on original pack is one of the important issues in archaeology.

About 5000 BC, humans began to enter the Bronze Age. And 4000 years ago in Xia Dynasty, Chinese people had been able to smelt bronze, while in Shang and Zhou Dynasty, bronze smelting technology had further developed.In 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians had begun the glass blowing. Thus, the use of glass, wood and metal in all kinds of packaging containers have had one thousand years of history. The earliest recorded use of paper for packaging dates back to 1035, when a Persian traveler visiting markets in Cairo noted that vegetables, spices and hardware were wrapped in paper for the customers after they were sold. In the 15th century, typography appeared in Europe, from then on, packing and printing began to develop. In 16th century, ceramic industry had thrived in Europe. With the establishment of the first glass factory in United States, packaging began to transit from traditional form to modern form.

Since the 16th century, due to the rapid development of industrial production, especially the industrial revolution in the 19th century in Europe, the development of packaging industry had been greatly promoted.Thereby, the foundation for modern packaging industry and packaging technology’s progress had been laid.

In the 20th century, new technology changes with each passing day. Polyethylene, paper, glass, aluminum foil, plastic, composite materials and other packaging materials are widely used. Increasing maturity can be found in technologies from aseptic packaging, shockproof packaging, anti-theft packaging to composite packaging. In the late 20th century, international trade is growing vigorously. Electronic and laser technique are widely used to realize the mechanization and automation of production.