What is Sustainable Packaging?
Sustainable packaging refers to the use of materials, design, and manufacturing processes that minimise environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of a product. It aims to strike a balance between meeting the packaging requirements of products while reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimising pollution. By embracing the principles of sustainable packaging and adopting a continuous improvement mindset, we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future. Our commitment lies in collaborating with businesses and individuals to navigate the complexities of sustainable packaging and finding the best strategies to minimise environmental impacts while maintaining product integrity and meeting consumer needs.
Making an informed decision when choosing packaging
We have compiled a useful guide which looks at many different research-based studies and analytical data to give an unbiased view of how to choose the correct type of packaging for your individual requirements. It includes references from the latest scientific studies and can be downloaded below:
How we can help in your sustainability journey
At PB Group, we recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable packaging. Each product has its own distinct lifecycle and therefore requires a customised approach to minimise its environmental impact. We understand that sustainable packaging does not possess a “magic formula” that can miraculously solve all environmental challenges and have zero impact. Instead, sustainable packaging aims to minimise those impacts compared to conventional alternatives. Our team focus on three key pillars when discussing and helping to choose sustainable packaging options with customers:
1. Source reduction.
2. Materials selection.
3. End-of-life management.
Source reduction involves minimising the amount of packaging used, optimising size and weight, and eliminating unnecessary components. By working closely with our experts, you can explore design solutions that not only meet your functional requirements but also significantly reduce the environmental impact. We focus on finding the right balance between product protection, aesthetics, and source reduction. This all contributes to a reduction in the overall environmental footprint and waste generation.
Materials selection is a key aspect PB group can help add value in your sustainability journey. Our team of material specialists is dedicated to working with renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials that align with sustainable packaging practices. This encompasses a wide range of options such as paper, recycled plastics, compostable materials, and cutting-edge bio-based alternatives.
End-of-life management focuses on the post-consumer phase of packaging. The ultimate goal of end-of-life management is to establish a system where packaging materials are recovered, reused, or regenerated, thereby minimising the demand for virgin resources. Our team can provide expert advice on materials that align with desired end-of-life options considering your specific preferences or requirements.
The PB Group sustainability journey
Internally our sustainability journey is currently focused on several key areas:
Waste Reduction & Energy Consumption
At the core of our manufacturing processes lies the principle of complete recycling. We place a strong emphasis on prioritising recycling whenever it proves to be more energy-efficient compared to other disposal methods. To uphold this principle, we have made significant investments in cutting-edge in-house recycling technology.
Product Development
Our product development team is constantly working to expand our range of sustainable products. We achieve this by focusing on key aspects such as improving functionality, reducing material usage, and conducting ongoing reviews of the latest scientific material research data.
Supplier Evaluation
We recognise the importance of responsible supply chain practices and our Procurement team constantly works closely with our suppliers to ensure they adhere to fair labour standards and environmentally sustainable practices.
Transportation Efficiency
By implementing advanced recycling systems, we can make substantial strides in reducing the environmental impact typically associated with the collection and transportation of recyclable materials. This strategic approach enables us to reuse a significant portion of our waste plastic products and achieve impressive recycling rates, all while minimising energy consumption.
Compliance with Regulations
Our dedicated compliance team is vigilant in staying informed about evolving packaging regulations, ensuring that our practices and processes align with the latest requirements. We proactively seek opportunities to go beyond compliance, embracing best practices and setting higher standards within our key areas of recycling, waste management and sustainability.
FAQs – Everything that you need to know
PB Group structures sustainable packaging around three practical principles: source reduction (down-gauging and weight optimisation), responsible material selection (certified recycled content, FSC® papers, and compostables), and clear end-of-life recovery pathways. Rather than relying on generic green claims, our material recommendations are grounded in peer-reviewed lifecycle analyses (LCA) to balance carbon footprint reduction with essential product protection.
Our production facilities run dedicated closed-loop regranulation systems. We collect clean polymer start-up scrap, edge trimmings, and offcuts generated during blown film extrusion and converting on-site, regranulate them, and re-extrude them directly into heavy-duty non-food product lines, such as refuse sacks and construction damp-proof membranes. This eliminates factory polymer waste and reduces virgin fossil fuel consumption.
Each sustainable polymer pathway serves distinct functional and disposal requirements:
- Recycled Plastics (PCR/PIR): Made from reclaimed post-consumer or post-industrial polythene, exempt from PPT (at 30%+ recycled content) and widely recyclable in LDPE streams.
- Bio-based Plastics (“I’m Green”): Synthesised from renewable sugarcane ethanol rather than fossil fuels; chemically identical to traditional PE and fully recyclable.
- Compostable Polymers: Plant-derived polymers certified to EN 13432 that break down organically in commercial composting conditions, ideal for food waste and organics collection.
Our sustainable packaging lines comply with industry-recognised environmental accreditations, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) chain-of-custody sourcing for paper and board, European standard EN 13432 certification for industrially compostable packaging, and certified ISO 9001:2015 / BSI quality management protocols governing consistent material performance.
Source reduction involves engineering high-yield polymer blends and advanced multi-layer film structures that allow “down-gauging” (reducing film micron thickness) without compromising tensile strength, puncture resistance, or load-holding stability. By using thinner, stronger materials, businesses consume fewer raw materials by weight, reduce transport emissions, and lower their total packaging waste volume.
No. PB Group does not provide formal on-site packaging auditing or third-party consultancy services. Instead, we act as a dedicated manufacturing and supply partner, providing commercial guidance, technical material data sheets, and bespoke sample formulations to help buyers select compliant, eco-friendly materials directly from our production lines.
Sustainable and recycled packaging is delivered across four operational tiers:
- Standard recycled stock lines (PCR refuse sacks, paper bags, stock boxes): Available for next-day delivery nationwide when ordered before our 4:00 PM cut-off.
- Short-run digital print: From 3 working days using eco-friendly inks.
- UK bespoke extrusion & converting: Typically 3 weeks for custom PCR blends, bio-polymers, and bespoke dimensions.
- Global volume contracts: Up to 3 months for scheduled enterprise container deliveries.
Yes. Our paper bags, counter bags, and corrugated cardboard boxes are manufactured using natural unbleached kraft fibres and water-based inks. They are 100% plastic-free and fully recyclable through standard municipal kerbside paper collection and commercial dry mixed recycling (DMR) streams across the UK.
PB Group targets a minimum of 30% PCR content in flexible packaging lines, 100% internal scrap diversion, a 15% reduction in virgin materials via down-gauging by 2028, and a 10% reduction in production kWh per tonne by 2027.
Recycled (PCR/PIR): Made from pre-/post-consumer poly waste, ideal for closed-loop industrial and postal packaging.
Biodegradable: Standard polymers treated with additives to break down faster under specific landfill conditions.
Compostable (EN 13432): Bio-based polymers engineered to break down completely into organic matter in industrial (or home) composting facilities without leaves or ecotoxic residue.
Reprocessing existing plastics consumes significantly less energy and water than refining virgin crude oil. **We can calculate the carbon offset for your order volumes.
