Can Paper Packaging Made From Alternative Non-Wood Fibres Be Considered Recyclable? Yes!

As consumer awareness of the impact of the products we buy continues to grow, increased concern over plastic pollution has led to increased demand for paper packaging. While paper packaging is often considered a more desirable option to plastic in terms of recyclability and reduced end-of-life concerns, this uptick in demand poses a threat to the world’s forests, including the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests — critical for climate and biodiversity health. 

One of Canopy’s suite of solutions include displacing Ancient & Endangered Forest fibre for packaging with Next Generation Solutions - alternative fibres made from materials including agricultural waste. These often carry environmental benefits and reduced carbon emissions.  As brands increase commitments that all packaging is recyclable, and get ready for tightening regulations around labeling and responsibility for putting recyclable packaging onto the market, it is imperative that brand owners understand the recyclability of novel materials. One of the most common questions we get from brands is whether or not Next Gen packaging is recyclable. This brief aims to answer these questions. The good news is - yes!

In our brief analysis, we found that packaging made from alternative non-wood fibres can be just as recyclable as packaging made from wood fibre. 

We found that: 

• Alternative non-wood fibres are already routinely recycled in the conventional paper stream and do not require additional infrastructure or technology.
• Canopy found no widespread evidence that packaging made from alternative fibre is challenging recycling systems based on its feedstock.
• Many alternative fibre packaging formats have been tested and passed credible recyclability testing protocols. 
• Of the government regulations and ‘design for recycling’ guidelines Canopy reviewed, almost all indicate that testing to credible protocols can prove recyclability claims, even in cases where alternative fibres are characterized as not yet proven to be recyclable.
• Recyclability challenges are often primarily related to design rather than feedstock.
• Brands should be encouraged to obtain testing for any new packaging formats, to verify recyclability