# Plastic-Free Gourd Packaging This Natural Packaging Solution is Made with a Species of Pumpkin By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2019-10-17 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-packaging-design References: [packagingoftheworld](https://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2019/10/natural-packaging-for-natural-products.html) & [synthesis.uz](http://synthesis.uz/) Plastic is piling up in the oceans in the form of unmissable [single-use plastic packaging designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verigreen-plus) and tiny microplastics, which is leading many brands to think about developing [natural packaging designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfpacking-cheese) to reduce waste. This natural packaging for natural products was developed out of a vegetable, specifically a member of the gourd family. Dried, the hardshell Lagenaria plant makes a food packaging solutions that's unique in size and patter, eco-friendly, lightweight, water-resistant and durable enough for transportation. The material also boasts the ability to decompose within about a year, making it a much friendlier alternative to plastic, which can stick around for centuries. For centuries, the gourd has been used for carrying food and water and the demand for sustainable packaging is inspiring a revival of this tradition. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 80% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Natural Packaging Designs:** The move towards natural packaging designs is disrupting the traditional plastic packaging industry. - **Eco-friendly Packaging Solutions:** Brands are exploring eco-friendly packaging solutions as a response to the growing plastic waste problem. - **Revival of Gourd Packaging:** The demand for sustainable packaging is leading to a revival of the traditional use of the gourd for carrying food and water. ### Who This Affects Most - **Packaging Industry:** The packaging industry must adapt to the increasing demand for natural and eco-friendly packaging solutions. - **Food and Beverage Industry:** The food and beverage industry can explore gourd packaging as a sustainable and unique packaging option for their products. - **Environmental Technology Industry:** The development of natural packaging designs presents opportunities for the environmental technology industry to offer innovative and sustainable alternatives to plastic materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plastic-Free Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plasticfree-food-packaging.md) - [Fully Compostable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-seed-packaging.md) - [Eco-Friendly Root Vegetable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-packaging-concept.md) - [Cooling Mushroom Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mushroom-packaging-1.md) - [Eco-Friendly Food Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coating.md) - [Plant Fiber Supermarket Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silphie-packaging.md) - [Sustainable Supplement Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchstone-essentials-packaging.md) - [Grown Drinkware Forms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gourd.md) - [Bio-Based Paper Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-food-packaging.md)