Mono-materials: what are they, how do they affect the environment and how will they change the future?

Gone are the days when product packaging was a secondary consideration and milk cartons, jam jars and leftover cling film all ended up in the same bin. Waste reduction is a growing topic, and responsibly produced and environmentally friendly packaging and packaging materials play a major role in this field. This is an important topic for all stakeholders, including businesses, as consumers are also increasingly paying attention to product packaging. Explore the possibilities of mono materials!

What are mono materials?

Mono materials, as their name suggests, are made from a single material. These can be, for example, containers, films or bags made of polypropylene (PP) or PET. Packaging can also be made of plastic, paper, glass, metal, fabric – the main condition is that it is made of the same material and can be recycled.

What are the benefits of mono materials?

One of the most important advantages offered by mono materials is the significantly easier recycling of packaging. Separation can be difficult when different multilayer packaging materials are used in packaging production. One example is the packaging of a juice pack, which combines cardboard and foil. These materials are very difficult to separate once the juice pack is in the landfill, and the amount of recyclable cellulose fibres is small. Sometimes this type of packaging is not even sorted.

In contrast, packaging made of glass, paper, metal, fabric or plastics can be recycled from just one material without separating the different materials. It comes with the following pluses:

• Recycling packaging requires significantly less energy, time and money;
• The amount of waste that is not recycled is reduced.

The result is a win-win for everyone, from the consumer to the environment.

Will mono packaging change the future and how?

There is no doubt that mono-material packaging will have a significant impact on food and other industries. For several years now, there has been a trend for brands, large and small, to pay considerable attention to the packaging of their products in the name of sustainability, and mono materials are one of the most optimal choices.

At the national level, the issue is also topical, for example in Germany, while Latvia is still on the way to sorting it out. The use of mono materials makes perfect sense, as it can both optimise costs and take care of the planet by reducing waste, thus moving towards a circular economy.

MULTIVAC – an international company providing a wide range of packaging solutions

MULTIVAC is a company that offers a wide range of packaging and packaging materials, as well as advanced packaging equipment and automation solutions, and is one of the world leaders in its field. MULTIVAC also offers its services in the Baltic States, including Latvia.

Does your company also need plastic packaging (or packaging solutions made from other materials), packaging equipment or automation solutions that stand out for sustainability and care for the environment while offering uncompromising quality? In this case, Multivac OY in Latvia is the right choice. Get to know the company and the solutions it offers by visiting MULTIVAC homepage, or ask a question by filling in contact form!