---
title: "Sustainability: Is it better to package nutritional supplements in paper or plastic packaging?"
url: "https://www.greenpharm.sk/en/sustainable-package/"
type: "post"
published: "2022-05-24T09:45:40+02:00"
modified: "2024-08-28T10:22:19+02:00"
author: "Miroslav Gecovič"
---

**According to NielsenIQ’s 2021 Global **[**Health and Wellness Report**](https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2021/an-inside-look-into-the-2021-global-consumer-health-and-wellness-revolution/)**, 34% of consumers surveyed were more likely to buy products with sustainability credentials than they were two years ago. As a nutritional supplement manufacturer, we are also seeing a trend where our customers – private label owners – want to package their products in paper packaging more often. But is it really a better alternative for the planet?**

Although plastics have a bad reputation, we need to look at the **entire life cycle** of packaging and its impact on the environment. It is not just about looking at means of paper or plastic packaging disposal.

## PAPER PACKAGING

As paper is made from trees, it is a **renewable material**. On the other hand,** more water and energy** are consumed in the production process of packaging from this material. This leads to up to 3.5 times **more greenhouse gas emissions** than plastic packaging. 

Paper is more biodegradable than plastic and is **easy to recycle**. However, it often ends up in landfills, where its decomposition slows. Paper-based packaging also tends to contain **a layer of plastic/aluminium film** to protect the [nutritional supplements](https://www.greenpharm.sk/shop/) from moisture and other environmental factors. However, this makes it non-recyclable.

 ![](https://www.greenpharm.sk/wp-content/uploads/papierove-obaly-greenpharm-scaled.jpg)

## PLASTIC PACKAGING

The disadvantage of plastics is that they are made from **non-renewable materials**. On the other hand, plastic packaging can **effectively protect products** and ensure that they reach customers without compromising quality, thanks to its properties. The production of plastics generates **fewer greenhouse gas emissions,** and various filters are integrated into the production process. 

The recyclability of plastic packaging is constantly improving. Between 2018 and 2020, the amount of post-consumer plastic waste [sent for recycling](https://plasticseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PlasticsEurope-CircularityReport-2021_28022022.pdf) **increased by 8.5%**. However, it is currently **difficult to achieve** high levels of** recycled plastic content in new packaging** that must meet food contact criteria. This is due to contamination of consumer waste.

In financial terms, it is **more cost-effective** for a [private label](https://www.greenpharm.sk/private-label/) owner to package nutritional supplements in plastic packaging.

 ![](https://www.greenpharm.sk/wp-content/uploads/plastove-obaly-greenpharm-scaled.jpg)

The answer to the question in the heading of our article is not clear since, as you can see, **neither material is perfectly sustainable**. For example, one way to sustainability is to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging.