# Plant-Based Packing Peanuts Lush Cosmetics' Packing Peanuts are Biodegradable By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-04-24 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packing-peanuts References: [hellogiggles](http://hellogiggles.com/lush-cosmetics-packing-peanuts-are-100-percent-edible/) & [lushusa](http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Stories-Article?cid=article_go-with-the-ecoflo) [Lush](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wash-and-grow) Cosmetics is now introducing [eco-friendly packaging peanuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-packaging-concept) to the products that it ships. These new packaging materials are entirely plant-based and made with a base of vegetable starch, which makes them much more efficient to produce than conventional popcorn packaging materials. In fact, the use of eco materials for these new packaging peanuts consumes 23% less energy and produces 7.5 times more packaging materials than peanuts made with polystyrene. The [plant-based packaging material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avantium) is 100% biodegradable in water and soil. As Lush Cosmetics describes: "If you simply want to dispose of it, either add it to your compost or toss it into a sink or bathtub, and run water until it’s all gone." Many of Lush Cosmetics' shampoos, soap bars and bath bombs are packaged without any materials at all, in part of a move to reduce overall packaging waste. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Eco-packaging:** The rise of eco-friendly packaging materials, such as plant-based packaging peanuts, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the packaging industry to move towards a more sustainable future. - **Sustainable Materials:** The use of sustainable materials in packaging, such as vegetable starch, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the materials industry to meet the growing demand for more eco-friendly products and packaging. - **Composting Solutions:** The increasing prevalence of biodegradable packaging materials presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the composting industry to develop and promote new and innovative solutions for the disposal of these materials. ### Where This Applies - **Packaging:** The rise of eco-friendly packaging materials presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the packaging industry to develop and produce sustainable packaging solutions. - **Materials Science:** The use of sustainable materials in packaging presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the materials science industry to explore and develop new and innovative materials that are both eco-friendly and efficient. - **Composting:** The increasing prevalence of biodegradable packaging materials presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the composting industry to develop and implement new solutions for the efficient and effective disposal of these materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bio-Based Paper Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-food-packaging.md) - [Fully Compostable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-seed-packaging.md) - [Eco-Friendly Food Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coating.md) - [Biodegradable Cheese Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfpacking-cheese.md) - [Sustainable Supplement Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchstone-essentials-packaging.md) - [Paper-Packaged Haircare Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babo-botanicals.md) - [Recycled Paper Protective Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scotch-cushion-lock.md) - [Plastic-Free Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plasticfree-food-packaging.md) - [Biodegradable Hemp-Based Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/papacks-wandarra.md)