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
Cooling Mushroom Packaging
Mushroom Packaging Creates Customizable and Compostable Solutions
Seaweed-Based Shoe Packaging
Ales Grey & Sway Partnered on Sustainable Footwear Packaging
Sustainable Speaker Packaging
Sonos' Packaging Shares a Premium, User-Friendly Experience
Eco-Conscious Beauty Packaging
Albéa Group Boasts Three Flagship Packaging Products
Paper-Based Tray Packaging
Verday Vegan Meats are Packed in Shallow Food Trays Made for Recycling
Low-Value Plastic Recycling Methods
Ashaya Aims to Reuse Non-Recyclable Plastic Packaging
Compostable Beauty Bottles
Sulapac Unveils the New Compostable Materials for Fragrance Bottle Caps
Recycling-Friendly Pump Designs
The P&G Product Pump Design Can Be Recycled without Disassembly
Recyclable Chilled Grocery Bags
The 'Fresh!Bag' Recyclable Cool Bag is Ready to be Branded
Paper-Made Frozen Food Packaging
PACK'D is Introducing New Recyclable Paper Bags
Squeezable Paper-Based Bottles
Albéa's Sustainable Packaging Provides a Sensory Experience
Plastic-Free Beer Packaging
The Heineken Green Grip is Made with 100% Recyclable Cardboard
Aseptic Eco Beverage Packaging
The Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf Carton is Paper-Based
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
Sustainable Ecommerce Packaging
RollsPack Creates Eco-Sense to Change Sustainable 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
TV Packaging Seating Solutions
The 'Cuna' Furniture by Valeria Coello is Made Out of Cardboard
Seaweed-Crafted Watch Packaging
ID Genève Develops New Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging
Dow and P&G China Launch Reduced Weight and Impact Packaging
Reusable Grocery Delivery Packaging
Milk & More and Again Partnered for Reusable Packaging Options
Paper-Based Potato Chip Packaging
Pringles Packaging Now Has a Paper Base Instead of a Metal One
Paperboard Gin Bottles
Georgian Bay Spirit's 100% Recycled Paperboard Bottle is Produced in Canada
Paper Vodka Bottles
Mother of Pearl Vodka Debuts the First Australian Vodka in a Paper Bottle
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
Soft Sustainable Coolers
Out of the Woods Makes Reusable Bags Made from Supernatural Paper
Fiber-Based Food Packaging
Hinojosa Unveils the New 'Foodservice' Packaging in Three Formats
Eco-Friendly Consumable Packaging
This Biodegradable Composite Packaging is Transparent and Edible
Paper-Based Vodka Bottles
Absolut Vodka is Selling Paper-Based Bottles Commercially in the UK
Recycled Plastic Bottle Campaigns
Coca-Cola Promotes the Toss In, Take Out Initiative
Cardboard Cosmetics Refill Pouches
Freshly Refills Reduce Cosmetics Industry Waste
Recycled Beer Bottle Ads
Corona's Campaigns Encourage Consumers to Recycle Empty Packaging
Refillable Beauty Brands
Maya's Thoughtfully Designed Cosmetics Combat Plastic Waste
Eco-Friendly Spirit Packaging
Diageo and EcoSpirits Partnered on New Circular Packaging
Recyclable Paper-Made Coffee Packaging
JDE Peet's is Rolling Out Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Paper-Made Porridge Packaging
Quaker Porridge Pots are Now Made with Paper for Easy Recycling
Paper-Based Recyclable Packaging
Parkside's Newest Packaging is Durable with a Sealed Barrier
All-Paper Perfume Boxes
Ffern’s Made-to-Order Fragrances are Packaged in Biodegradable Boxes
Bio-Based Beauty Packaging
Holmen Iggesund and Yangi Partner for Bio-Based Packaging Solutions
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
Asia-Focused Sustainable Packaging
aCommerce & Johnson & Johnson Create New Sustainable Packaging
Sugarcane Cosmetics Packagings
'Bulldog' Uses Sugarcane Bagasse to Reduce its Carbon Footprint
Bio-Based Paper Packaging
Covestro's Partially Plant-Based Coating Boosts Recyclability
Recyclable Paper-Made Packaging Solutions
Mondi FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate is Sustainable
Compostable Food Packaging Brands
Shanghai Timeco Industrial Uses Sugarcane Bagasse for Packaging
Sustainable Natural Wine Boxes
Big Naturals Offers a Premium Tasting Experience in Eco Packaging
Sustainable Skincare Packaging Pivots
Aveeno® Canada Introduces a New Look & Better, Eco Packaging
Resin Packaging Solutions
NEXTLOOPP Completed a Trial of its 'PPristine' Resin Packaging
Paper-Based Chocolate Packaging
Mars Swaps Out its Plastic Wrappers for Paper in a Tesco Trial
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
Recycled Private Label Packaging
ALDI Introduced Recycled Plastic Bottles for Water and Soda
Reusable Packaging Initiatives
PepsiCo Has Announced a New Packaging Goal
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
Eco-Friendly Paper Packaging
Sourceful Debuts a New Paper Pouch to Compete with Plastic Packaging
Reduced Material Gin Packaging
Beefeater 24 Packaging Now Has 90% Less Plastic and More
Eco-Conscious Scotch Packaging
This New Laphroaig Packaging Cuts Emissions by 30%
Paper-Packaged Snack Chips
Walkers Baked Multipacks Ditch Plastic in Favor of Paper Alternatives
Grain Husk Packaging Solutions
Proservation Develops 'Recou' out of Unused Grain Husks
Collaborative Recycling Initiatives
Greiner Packaging, Siegwerk and Krones Announced a Partnership
Biodegradable Vegan Soap Packaging
Alara Erthnii Designs the Packioli Soap Packaging
Freshness-Maximizing Microgreens Packaging
Upward Farms Introduced New Packs for its Microgreens
Recyclable Lightweight Wine Bottles
Ron Rubin Brands Unveils its 100% Recyclable Wine Bottle
Recyclable Windowed Packaging
Coveris Debuts the New Packaging for Simply Lunch’s Stir Me Up Range
Haircare Take-Back Initiatives
Aveda's Take-Back Program and Refillable Pouches Help Reduce Waste
Sustainable Packaging Brands
Flourish® Utilizes Recycled Content and Safe Forestry Practices
Pulp-Based Wine Wraps
Perrier- Jouët's Champagne Bottle Wrap Uses Paper Pulp and Vine Shoots
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
Heat-Sealable Paper-Wrap Materials
Orlandi Launches the EcoPro™ Paper-Wrap Sustainable Packaging
Eco-Conscious Deodorant Packaging
Respectueuse Utilizes EnviroStick Packaging to Promote Recycling
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
Sustainable Potato Bags
'Brown Bag Potatoes' Get a New Sustainable Bag for E-Commerce Packaging
Eco Cardboard Can-Carriers
Wild Rose Craft Brewery Debuts Cardboard Can-Carrier to Reduce Waste
Sustainable Cereal Packaging
Weetabix Now Features Fully Recyclable Packaging
Flat Recycled Wine Packaging
ALDI is Introducing a Recycled PET Wine Bottle in its Private Label
Eco-Friendly Cannabis Packaging
Hippo Premium Packaging Earth Friendly Collection is Sustainable
Pulp Foam Packaging
Stora Enso Launches the Eco-Friendly 'Papira' Pulp Foam Packaging
Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Pact Coffee Debuts a New Recyclable Packaging Design
Green Thermoformed Cardboard Trays
Cascades Launches Innovative Packaging for Fresh Produce
Recyclable Paper Packaging Initiatives
Walmart is Swapping to Recyclable Packaging on All Channels
Bark-Based Packaging Technology
Bpacks is a Biodegradable Packaging Startups with a New Solution
Eco-Friendly Burger Packaging
GreenDustries' PleatPak Packaging Blends Sustainability and Function
Compostable Denim Packaging Trials
Levi's Rolls out Hybrid Polybags as a Sustainable Packaging
Reduced Material Food Packaging
The Stora Enso 'Trayforma BarrPeel' Packaging is Easy to Open
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
Recycle-Ready Coffee Pouches
Amcor and Löfbergs Launch Monomaterial Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Recyclable Film Packaging
These Amcor Recycle-Ready Thermoforming Films are Launching in Europe
Paper-Packaged Popped Snacks
Snack A Jacks Multipacks are Ditching Virgin Plastic Material
Reusable Paper Lunch Bags
Out of the Woods Reinterprets a Nostalgic Lunch Classic
Drop-Off Recycling Stations
SIG's Recycle for Good Program Encourages Waste Reduction
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
These Sabert Pulp Food Containers are Convenient
Tomato Stem-Based Boxes
The ICP Created Corrugated Cardboard out of Tomato Stems
Sustainable Packaging Films
These Parkside Lidding Films Come in Several Options
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
Revamped Eco Juice Packaging
Capri-Sun Packaging Now Features Stronger Paper Straws
Paper-Made Detergent Packaging
Tesco Laundry Pods Now Come in Cardboard Packs
Rewarding Milk Packaging
Ocado's Milk Bottle Recycling Initiative Gives Rewards for Recycling
Fiber-Reduced Eco Packaging
DS Smith Debuts the 'Light Wrap' to Lower Packaging CO2 Emissions
Sustainable Supplement Packaging
This New Touchstone Essentials Packaging is Made with Bio-PPE
Eco-Conscious Juice Boxes
Simple Times Mixers Supports Curbside Recycling with its New Packaging
Circular Packaging Facilities
Again Launched 'CleanCell' and 'Tag' for the Circular Economy
Recyclable Takeout Packaging Services
Uber Eats Begins the Reusable Packaging Trials in London
Paper-Made Product Bundles
Mondi and ATS-Tanner Created Paper Bundle Packaging
Sustainable Crisp Bags
The British Crisp Co. Debuts the First Fully Recyclable Paper Crisp Packet
Bamboo Hot Beverage Cups
Celebration Packaging Debuts its Bamboo Fiber Hot Drink Cups
Paper-Made Mushroom Packaging
Sainsbury's Mushroom Punnets are Now Made with Cardboard
Revised QSR Packaging Policies
YUM Brands Unveils a New Packaging Policy for its Restaurants
Food-Grade rPET Packaging
These Novolex Recyclable Food Containers Have 10% Recycled Plastic
Ethical Clothing Recycling Services
Retold Recycling Aims to Reduce Textile Waste
Plastic Reduction Meat Packaging
Sainsbury's New Steak Packaging Will Save Ample Plastic Use
Customizable Sustainable Mailers
Neenah Debuts an Eco Mailer for Non-Fragile Soft Goods
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
Recycled Records Campaigns
Coca-Cola, Mark Ronson and Madlib to Launch 'Recycled Records'
Upcycled Paint Boxes
Up Paint's Up Box Helps Consumers Ship Back & Recycle Old Paint
Paper Packaging Recycle Stations
Co-cre8 Debuts the New Paper Cup Collection and Recycling Service
Sustainable Chemical Refill Centers
The Friendly Chemical Co. Launches its New Refill Stations
PET Tray Recycling Initiatives
Tesco Debuts the 'Tray 2 Tray' Recycling Initiative with Faerch
Recyclable Pouch Refreshment Packaging
Capri-Sun Introduced Its First-Ever Recyclable Drink Pouch
Eco Recycled Soda Packaging
Sidel StarLiteR rPET Prioritizes Material Circularity for Brands