With a growing number of consumers concerned about waste-reduction, companies are looking to recycled packaging as a more sustainable option. Recycling can help to breathe new life into old materials by repurposing them in the form of eco-friendly packaging.
One of the most common materials used for recycled packaging is paper. Old newspaper, stock and cardboard make the perfect material for packaging everything from perfume to matchsticks and even dog treats. Glass is another material that can easily be recycled for packaging beverages and other forms of bottled products. Although less plastic is recycled than other materials, upcycled plastic has been used to create recyclable packaging for common household products such as cosmetics and drink containers.
Each example of packaging made from recycled substances demonstrates that there are numerous opportunities for companies to repurpose old material in ways that are stylish and attractive to eco-conscious consumers.
28 Examples of Recycled Packaging
From Newspaper Beer Branding to Sustainable Reduced Shoeboxes:
Katherine Pendrill — May 24, 2015 — Eco
27
DIY Yoyo Kits
The Modernized Sling-Slang Yoyo is a Fun Homemade Project
26
Tapered Cosmetic Packaging
This Cosmetic Packaging Design Features Reusable Boxes and Pouches
25
Paper-Based Beverage Branding
Paperboy Wine Packaging is the Ultimate Eco-Friendly Vino Vessel
24
Sustainable Reduced Shoeboxes
The Omni Clip Effectively Holds Footwear with 11 Times Less Material
23
Recycled Soap Packaging
S.H.I.N.E. is a Project Focused in Mozambique for Those in Need
22
Recycled Journal Branding
Sustainable Duck Eggs Packaging Makes Resourceful Use of Paper Waste
21
Bottle Cap Balms
The American Gentleman Beard Balm Comes in Recycled Beer Caps
20
Upcycled Cardboard Gift Bags
Turn Cardboard Boxes into Creative Gift Totes with This Guide
19
Origami Easter Packaging
Minieco's Printable Paper Project is Great for the Holidays
18
Minimalist Gadget Boxes
Lyve's Digital Packaging Solution Simplifies Shipping and Receiving
17
Vintage Solid Shampoo Branding
J.R. Liggett's Shampoo Bars
16
Nature-Inspired Candle Rebranding
The Standard Wax Rebranding is a Back to Basics Return to Nature
15
Repurposed Paper Towels
World Centric's Organic Paper Towels are Recycled and Unbleached
14
Eco-Friendly Light Packaging
Hyunseo Design Creates a Recyclable Design
13
Spherical Wooden Perfumes
Pacific Perfumes' Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Packaging is Protected in Wood
12
Plantable Present Paper
Kickstarter Campaign Eden's Paper Provides Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
11
Memory Folding Box Cards
Greetabl is a Memorable and Sincere Greeting Card Alternative
10
Festive Holiday Fragrances
The Juniper Ridge Christmas Fir Cabin Spray Incorporates Woodsy Scents
9
Handsome Pooch Packaging
Frank's Dog Product Packaging is Specific to Dachshunds
8
Sustainable Matchstick Stationery
Protect the Environment One Recycled Paper Pencil at a Time
7
Bottle Stopper Tech Accessories
These Cork Tablet Cases Are Made Using Eco-Friendly Materials
6
Liquor Candle Packaging
These Detroitwick Soy Candles Come in Upcycled Vodka Bottle Holders
5
Reusable Delivery Packaging
The RePack System Encourages Consumers to Return Their Used Envelopes
4
Artistic Eco Packaging
Woolworths Contemporary Soaps are Wrapped in Printed Paper
3
Cheap Eco-Friendly Frames
The Tonki Cardboard Frame is Sustainable and Easy to Ship and Assemble
2
Eco Energy Drink Containers
The E-ON Premium Energy Drink is Packaged in Rexam Aluminum Cans
1
Charming Packaging Collages
Takako Handa's Transforms Snack Packaging into Recycled Cardboard Art
Related Ideas
Quirky Paper Wine Bottles
Magnotta Wines' Ugly Duck is Packaged in Fully Recyclable Paper
Eco-Conscious Beauty Packaging
Albéa Group Boasts Three Flagship Packaging Products
Low-Value Plastic Recycling Methods
Ashaya Aims to Reuse Non-Recyclable Plastic Packaging
TV Packaging Seating Solutions
The 'Cuna' Furniture by Valeria Coello is Made Out of Cardboard
Recycling-Focused Store Concepts
COS Adopts Recycled Materials to Enhance its New Store Locations
Recycling-Friendly Pump Designs
The P&G Product Pump Design Can Be Recycled without Disassembly
Recycled Metal Skincare Packaging
The NIVEA Creme Tin Now Has an 80% Recycled Aluminum Design
Eco-Conscious Cleaning Product Packaging
Method is Introducing Recovered Coastal Plastic Packaging
Canned Castile Soaps
Utama Spice Packages Its All-Natural Liquid Soap in Stubby Refill Cans
Paperboard Supplement Packaging
Vital Proteins is Transitioning to Paper-Based Canisters
Sunscreen Packaging Solutions
TerraCycle Partners With Leading Skincare Brands for Packaging
Aseptic Eco Beverage Packaging
The Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf Carton is Paper-Based
Recycled Private Label Packaging
ALDI Introduced Recycled Plastic Bottles for Water and Soda
Fiber-Based Recyclable Packaging
Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Debuts New Eco-Friendly Packaging
Reusable Paper-Made Water Bottles
The 'reU' Reusable Water Bottle Concept is Recyclable
Paper-Packaged Private Label Wines
ALDI is Launching Wines in Paperboard Bottles in the UK
Recyclable Label-Free Soda Packaging
Coca-Cola is Trialling New Sprite Bottles in the UK
Recyclable Aluminum Tequila Packaging
DE-NADA Tequila is Rolling Out Eco-Friendly Packaging
Paper-Packaged Chocolate Bars
Walkers Chocolates Switched to 100% Recyclable Packaging
Sustainable Skincare Packaging
Olay's First-ever 100% Recycled Jars are Launched with Walmart
Sustainable PET Dairy Packaging
Coop and Emmi Launch the New Sustainable Dairy Packaging
Recyclable Coffee Packagings
'Tanuii Coffee' Redesigned its Packaging with Paper-Based Pouches
Sustainable Carton-Based Packaging
Tetra Pak Debuts Its First Trial Facility for Recart
Squid-Inspired Packaging
Squid-Inspired Packaging Revolutionizes Temperature Control
Paper-Made Spirit Bottles
This Johnnie Walker Black Label Bottle is Made with 90% Paper
Recyclable Apple Packaging Initiatives
Superfresh Growers Introduces a New Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging
Dow and P&G China Launch Reduced Weight and Impact Packaging
Paperboard Gin Bottles
Georgian Bay Spirit's 100% Recycled Paperboard Bottle is Produced in Canada
Biodegradable Hemp-Based Packagings
Two Packaging Companies are Partnering to Reduce Plastics
Recyclable Paper Tissue Packaging
ARIA Premium Bath Tissue Packaging Can Be Curbside Recycled
Paper-Based Potato Chip Packaging
Pringles Packaging Now Has a Paper Base Instead of a Metal One
Canned Dish Soaps
Unpackaged Sells Dish Soap in a Can for Easy Refilling & Recycling
Proudly Paper Candy Packaging
Quality Street Paper Sharing Packs are Made with FSC-Certified Paper
Bio-Based Foam Packaging
Apple and RISE Team Up to Develop Bio-Based Foam for Packaging
Paper Vodka Bottles
Mother of Pearl Vodka Debuts the First Australian Vodka in a Paper Bottle
Paper-Based Recyclable Packaging
Parkside's Newest Packaging is Durable with a Sealed Barrier
Refillable Product Pilots
Ocado Retail Debuts a Reusable Packaging Pilot with the Refill Coalition
Aluminum Plastic-Free Water Packaging
The Perfect Hydration Alkaline Water Comes in New Packaging
Repurposed Pasta Boxes
Barilla & Marie Kondo are Sharing How to Reuse Packaging
Recycled Plastic Condiment Packaging
Plastipak and Kraft Heinz Announced a New Partnership
Ergonomic Eco-Friendly Drink Packaging
The Tetra Prisma Aseptic 300 Edge Packaging is Mindful
Plastic-Free Supply Chains
Ericsson is Investing in Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Recycled Plastic Bottle Campaigns
Coca-Cola Promotes the Toss In, Take Out Initiative
Recyclable eCommerce Packaging
This New Amazon Packaging is Paper-Made and Arriving in the UK
Recyclable Paper-Made Coffee Packaging
JDE Peet's is Rolling Out Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Eco-Friendly Spirit Packaging
Diageo and EcoSpirits Partnered on New Circular Packaging
Paper-Made Porridge Packaging
Quaker Porridge Pots are Now Made with Paper for Easy Recycling
Heat-Sealable Paper-Wrap Materials
Orlandi Launches the EcoPro™ Paper-Wrap Sustainable Packaging
Light-Blocking Packaging Sleeves
Brook + Whittle's Patented GreenLabel BlockOut is Recyclable
Paper-Made Shrink Wrap Packaging
The 'TrayWrap' Paper Solution is Plastic-Free
Bio-Based Monomaterial Skincare Packaging
These Lumene Moisturizer Jars are Easy to Recycle
Paper-Packaged Haircare Products
Babo Botanicals Has Launched Haircare Products in Cartons
Beer-Based Blister Packs
This Blister Packaging for Cosmetic Refills is Made from Beer By-Products
Sustainable Skincare Initiatives
Japanese Beauty Brand Kao Upgrades Its Sustainability Initiatives
Upcycled Circular Design Products
Cyrc Designs Expansive Products with Sustainable Themes
Recyclable PET Wine Packaging
The ALPLA PET Wine Bottle Helps Cut Carbon Emissions
Recyclable Paper-Made Packaging Solutions
Mondi FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate is Sustainable
Recycled Diaper Packaging
Kimberly-Clark Collaborates with Amcor on a Sustainability Solution
Sustainable Natural Wine Boxes
Big Naturals Offers a Premium Tasting Experience in Eco Packaging
Sustainable Cafe Delivery Cases
This Paper Pulp Coffee Carrier Keeps Drinks Hot or Cold
Paper-Made Alcohol Bottles
Diageo Debuts a New Paper Bottle for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
Insulated Recyclable Bags
ProAmpac Unveils a Sustainable Packaging Solution for Grocery Deliveries
Low-Plastic Seafood Packaging
This Sainsbury’s Packaging Update Reduces Plastic Use
Recycled Paper Towels
Reel Recycled Paper Towels are Premium, Tree-Free Paper Towels
Plastic-Reduced Handwash Bottles
PZ Cussons Taps Terracycle to Create Refillable Packaging
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
The Eco-Products GreenStripe Line Has New Bags and Wraps
Personal Care Refill Solutions
Zero Co Unveils its New Paper-Based Refill System
Resilient Recyclable Paper Packaging
ProAmpac ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 HB is Durably Made
Recyclable Hardware Packaging
Nokia is Adopting Lighter Recyclable Packaging for Circularity
Plastic-Free Alcohol Packaging
The Aldi Recyclable Alcohol Packaging Reduces Plastic Waste
Mini Eco-Focused Drink Packaging
The SIG DomeMini Bottle is Made with FSC-Certified Paperboard
PCR Soil Packaging
Back to the Roots Creates Soil Packaging from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic
Sustainable Produce Packaging
These Cascades Eco-Friendly Produce Baskets are Recycled
Reusable Paper Lunch Bags
Out of the Woods Reinterprets a Nostalgic Lunch Classic
Recyclable Paper Soap Labels
UPM Raflatac Unveils the RecyClass Paper Label for Soap Products
Reduced Material Gin Packaging
Beefeater 24 Packaging Now Has 90% Less Plastic and More
Sustainable Pet Food Pouches
American Packaging Corporation Unveils a New Sustainable Solution
Paper-Packaged Snack Chips
Walkers Baked Multipacks Ditch Plastic in Favor of Paper Alternatives
Eco-Conscious Scotch Packaging
This New Laphroaig Packaging Cuts Emissions by 30%
Grain Husk Packaging Solutions
Proservation Develops 'Recou' out of Unused Grain Husks
Collaborative Recycling Initiatives
Greiner Packaging, Siegwerk and Krones Announced a Partnership
Compostable Single-Use Beer Cups
The BioPak Beer BioCup is Targeted Towards Stadiums and More
Reduced Packaging Drink Ranges
The 7-Eleven 7-Select Replenish Range Features a New Bottle Design
Paper-Packaged Porridge Products
Everyday Essentials Porridge Oats Come in Plastic-Free Packaging
Sustainable Frozen Treat Packaging
Metsä Board Re-Designed its Ice Cream Packaging
Eco-Friendly Alt Milk Packaging
Califia Farms Packaging Now Features 100% Recycled Plastic
Recycled Snack Chip Packaging
Tyrells is Introducing New Recycled Plastic Packs
Ohio-Based Refill Stores
Reduce & Reuse Refillery Helps Save Money and Reduce Packaging Waste
Eco-Friendly Wine Bottles
Aegg Introduces Two New Wine Bottle Designs at Imbibe Live
Compostable Rice Waste Packaging
TIPA Packaging is Launching a New Solution in the UK
Sustainable Medical Packaging
Coveris Debuts Recyclable Thermoforming Film for Medical Purposes
Circular Packaging Facilities
Again Launched 'CleanCell' and 'Tag' for the Circular Economy
Sustainable Ocean Packaging Designs
COAST Cannabis Co. Unveils a New Ocean-Based Packaging Design
Recyclable Salad Packaging
GPI Taps Picadeli for its Recyclable Paperboard Lids for Salad Bowls
Flat Recycled Wine Packaging
ALDI is Introducing a Recycled PET Wine Bottle in its Private Label
Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Pact Coffee Debuts a New Recyclable Packaging Design
Aluminum Cleaning Bottles
Cleancult Packages Cleaning Solutions in Waste-Reducing Packaging
Recyclable Paper Packaging Initiatives
Walmart is Swapping to Recyclable Packaging on All Channels
Plastic-Free Personal Care Products
Community Goods Touts Eco-Friendly Solutions and Packaging
Bark-Based Packaging Technology
Bpacks is a Biodegradable Packaging Startups with a New Solution
Eco-Conscious Canned Water
Wenlock Spring's Revamped Cans Appeal to Gen Z
Recycled Cardboard Toilet Papers
These Tesco Paper Products are for the Kitchen and Bathroom
Reusable Contactless Cups
Starbucks' Borrow a Cup Pilot Explores Reusable, Recyclable Packaging
Eco-Friendly Cracker Packaging
Jacob’s Crackers Selection Now Comes in Boxes with Reduced Plastic
Sustainable Spirit Packaging
Sapling Spirits Vodka is Now Packaged in Aluminum Bottles
Recyclable Retailer Butter Packaging
ALDI is Rolling Out Recyclable Butter Packaging in the UK
Reduced Plastic Snack Packaging
ALDI Specially Selected Hand Cooked Chips Come in New Packets
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
These Sabert Pulp Food Containers are Convenient
Recyclable Milk Bottle Caps
Tesco Releases Clear Bottle Caps for its Milk Jugs to Aid in Recycling
Post-Consumer Recycled Bottles
Sustainaholics Released a Line of Aluminum-Bottled Spirits
Paper-Packaged Popped Snacks
Snack A Jacks Multipacks are Ditching Virgin Plastic Material
Paper-Made Confectionery Bags
Saica Group and Mondelez Launch a New Sustainable Multipack Solution
Paper-Based Earbud Envelopes
Oman Air Transitions to Using Recyclable Paper Envelopes for Earbuds
Revamped Eco Juice Packaging
Capri-Sun Packaging Now Features Stronger Paper Straws
Sustainable Supplement Packaging
This New Touchstone Essentials Packaging is Made with Bio-PPE
Shea Butter-Infused Lip Treatments
Kinfield's Lip Rescue Moisturizing Lip Treatment is Recyclable
Plastic-Cutting Retail Initiatives
Amazon is Cutting Its Plastic Use in North America
Recycled Packaging Designs
DEBATIN and PreZero Launch the 60% PCR Material-Sourced Packaging
Eco-Conscious Juice Boxes
Simple Times Mixers Supports Curbside Recycling with its New Packaging
Sustainable Disposing Initiatives
The Perfume Shop Has Updated Its Recycling System
Tree-Free Sustainable Packaging
Craste Uses Crop Residue to Create Eco-Friendly Packaging
Sustainable Crisp Bags
The British Crisp Co. Debuts the First Fully Recyclable Paper Crisp Packet
Recycled Own-Brand Product Packaging
ALDI Washing Up Liquid is Now Packaged in rPET Bottles
Paper Sampling Containers
Arcade Beauty Debuts a Paper-Based Sampling Solution for Beauty Products
Paper-Made Mushroom Packaging
Sainsbury's Mushroom Punnets are Now Made with Cardboard
Bamboo Hot Beverage Cups
Celebration Packaging Debuts its Bamboo Fiber Hot Drink Cups
Adaptable Plastic Alternatives
2M Group is Unveiling a Plastic Alternative for the Supply Chain
Waste Reduction Campaigns
Rhyme & Reason's #NoNewPlastic Encourages Small Daily Actions
Food-Grade rPET Packaging
These Novolex Recyclable Food Containers Have 10% Recycled Plastic
Ethical Clothing Recycling Services
Retold Recycling Aims to Reduce Textile Waste
Advanced Molecular-Recycling Bottles
Air up and Eastman Launch a Drinking Bottle with Tritan Renew
Fiber-Based Meat Packaging
This Chilled Meat Packaging Reduces Plastic by 90%
Eco-Friendly Shipping Tapes
Kite Packaging PET Machine Tape Has 30% Recycled Content
Sustainable Growing Containers
The HC Companies Debuts the Revamped Horticultural Containers
Recyclable Cover Papers
Saputo Dairy UK is Transitioning its Spreadable Covers to Paper-Based
Paper Packaging Recycle Stations
Co-cre8 Debuts the New Paper Cup Collection and Recycling Service
Flexible Paper-Based Packaging
Parkside Introduces the Recoflex™ Paper Packaging for Fresh Food
Recyclable Pouch Refreshment Packaging
Capri-Sun Introduced Its First-Ever Recyclable Drink Pouch
Recyclable Yogurt Packaging Pouches
This Recyclable Yogurt Pouch Has an All-PE Construction
Eco Recycled Soda Packaging
Sidel StarLiteR rPET Prioritizes Material Circularity for Brands