What is Mono Material Packaging?

We all know that anything that can’t be recycled is either burned or sent to landfill. Provided that we use the right bins, everything else – whether it’s paper, cardboard, glass or plastic – is sent to material recovery facilities. From there, it’s sorted into its constituent parts and sent off to be recycled. This puts our consciences at ease, and we often don’t give too much thought to what happens after.

However, the problem is that most of the packaging we send off to be recycled consists of lots of different materials, which are nearly impossible to separate and sort for recycling. This presents several problems for businesses across different sectors, from higher recycling costs to inefficiencies. Mono-material packaging offers an effective solution, alongside other benefits like supporting a circular economy. So, let’s learn more about what it is and why it can be a good choice for many businesses.

Mono-material packaging refers to packaging composed of a single material or fibre, such as paper and plastic. In their natural state, these materials might not be ideal for packaging. But by modifying the materials, you can improve the strength or flexibility, depending on your requirements.

Common materials and their uses can include:

• Polypropylene: Offering strength and durability, this material is often used for barrier films, pouches and containers.
• Polyethylene: Including high and low-density options, this material provides a moisture-resistant, flexible barrier ideal for films, pouches and bags.
• Polyethylene terephthalate: This material is strong and sturdy and can withstand harsh conditions (e.g. pressure changes or high temperatures). It’s often used for bottles.

Meanwhile, multi-material packaging is made from several different materials. These must be separated before they can be mechanically recycled – otherwise, they will be downcycled, rather than recycled. This produces lower-quality recycled materials, which aren’t as good for the environment, and may even be contaminated beyond reusability.

If packaging only consists of one material, then there’s no need to consider how it’ll be separated for recycling. This helps guarantee that the material can be reused.

Mono-material packaging offers several advantages for businesses in various sectors. From reduced costs to improved carbon footprint, let’s run through some of the major reasons why it’s worth switching from multi-material to mono-material packaging.

Easier to recycle

Without multiple materials to separate, the recycling process becomes a much simpler and less energy-intensive process. And with this increased efficiency, recycling your packaging can be much more cost-effective and faster.

Consumers are much more eco-conscious nowadays, which means that they’re more likely to look for packaging that can help them reduce, reuse and recycle. Mono-material packaging that’s clearly marked as recyclable will therefore be more appealing compared to competitor products.

Supports circular economy models

We’ve already established that mono-material packaging is an easy-to-recycle packaging solution, but this also means it can support closed-loop recycling systems where materials can always be circulated. Not only does this help businesses achieve sustainability goals, but it also helps ensure you’re ahead of regulations and legislation.

Reduces cost

When you’re not combining materials to manufacture your packaging, your packaging production becomes simpler and more cost-effective. This means that mono-material packaging is the ideal choice for businesses looking to streamline their packaging budgets.

Offers better packaging protection

With mono-material packaging, you can modify your packaging to ensure it offers better protection and enhanced structural strength for your packaged goods. By tailoring it according to your requirements, you can better meet the needs of your customers.

Improve carbon footprint

Non-recyclable or reusable packaging contributes to overloading landfills and increases your business’s carbon footprint, so by reducing your packaging to just one recyclable material, you can keep your impact on the environment to a minimum.

At Tyler Packaging, we use mono-polymer technology to create recyclable-ready packaging. We’ve worked with businesses across various sectors with unique requirements to produce sustainable and attractive packaging that works for them and their customers.

Mono-material packaging at Tyler Packaging

Our single polymer resin construction allows us to offer an extensive range of mono-material packaging options within our recyclable-ready range. From our Retort Pouch with different finish options, to our Recyclable Woven Sack offering a tough, durable packaging solution for larger product quantities, you can choose a packaging type that’s most suitable for your business.

We understand that swapping to sustainable packaging isn’t always easy. But we can work with you to find the right packaging solution for your product.

Ready to discuss your packaging needs and how we can help you make the switch to mono-material packaging? Let’s chat!