Unsurprisingly, the packaging trends we are seeing for 2025 are focussing heavily on the environment and the life cycle of packaging from creation to disposal. Due to the increasing pressure from consumers and supermarkets, businesses are being driven to find better packaging solutions to satisfy the demand for a greener society.
This pressure can also be seen by the introduction of taxes and legislation in the UK to deter businesses from choosing less sustainable options. For example, the plastic packaging tax – where producers pay per tonne of plastic packaging used – and the packaging waste regulations, introduced in 2023, which requires producers to collect and report on the packaging they sell. This information will be used to calculate fees for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging scheme, which is scheduled to start fully in October 2025.
Therefore, here is a list of packaging trends we are predicting will be popular in 2025.
1. Resealable Packaging
Resealable packaging can come in many forms and is often seen as a sticky strip along the top of packaging that can be resealed during product use. This enables the product to be used multiple times during the product’s life span. This simple system helps to keep the product fresh during its use and lends itself perfectly for on-the-go consumption and short shelf-life foods.
An example of this form of packaging which can be seen on supermarket shelves is for wraps. A resealable strip seals up the top of the packaging to prevent the wraps from going stale if they aren’t consumed all in one go. This packaging is deposed of once all the product has been used.
Alternatively, some products like sugar and rice come with a removable tape that can be used to seal the top of the packaging whilst the product is being used.
A more sustainable form of resealable packaging is the use of ziplocks, sliders or self seal grips. These closing mechanisms have a longer life span as they can be cleaned and reused multiple times. Often seen on plastic bags but increasing in popularity for sustainable stand-up pouches.
In carton packaging it can be seen as a neat tuck flap. For example Whites Chicken Boxes have a neat flap that tucks into a slit that seals the packaging shut.
2. Recyclable and compostable
According to Statista.com “About 5.4 million metric tons of paper and cardboard packaging were generated by households in the United Kingdom in 2023. Of this total, 3.9 million metric tons were recovered, resulting in a recycling rate of roughly 73.4 percent. In comparison, some 2.2 million metric tons of plastic packaging were generated that year, with just 52.5 percent recycled.”* This stat shows that consumers are more inclined to recycle cardboard and paper compared to plastic.
When choosing your packaging it’s important to ask the following questions: can the packaging be easily recycled at kerb-side for households? Is it easy for your consumer to recycle your product’s packaging? The easier it is to recycle your packaging, the more likely it will be that your product will be chosen over a competitors.
Want to hit another sustainable target? Then you could consider packaging that is compostable too. This packaging is typically made from organic materials like wood pulp, potato starch and cotton, therefore, it will naturally breakdown in the right environment into non-toxic by products. Compostable packaging can either be used on your compost heap at home or it will need to be industrially composted by your local authority.
If you are considering using compostable packaging it is important to think about the inks, packaging embellishments, tapes and adhesives you may want to use – these can sometimes take too long to break down or need to be removed before recycling.
3. Reusable Packaging
Reusable packaging is great for luxury and premium products where either the sturdy packaging can be used again and again or the product comes within a reusable item like GU pudding pots, ceramic gin bottles and Pyrex ready meal dishes.
We have included The Spice Kitchen’s spice tin as an example of reusable packaging – the spice tin can be used time and time again.
This also means that your packaging will sit around for longer in the consumer’s home, a perfect opportunity to embed your brand as a household name.
4. Refillable Solutions
Similarly to reusable packaging, refillable packaging is often seen as a larger rigid bottle or container that sits on a shelf that is refilled periodically. This solution is great for products that can be sent in smaller refill packs so the original larger item can be refilled. For example, Smol sends concentrate in the post in a flexible pouch that is then diluted to fill the larger container.
Creating a product that can be refilled is great for reducing packaging, waste and often postage costs. Not to mention, refills cause your customer to become a reoccurring consumer.
5. Make it Bespoke with Personalisation
Make an impact with your packaging by making the experience personal and make customers feel special with personalisation. For example, a client we have worked with – Years.com – provides nutritional dog food for customers with a personalised printed sleeve with their pet’s name on.
Personalisation can be achieved through the use of a personalised sleeve, tag, note, postcard – handwritten or automated printing depending on size of business and business model. This can be automated to reduce the labour.
6. Minimalism
Create less packaging by embracing minimalism! By using simple designs with clever die cutting that holds the products securely within the packaging without the need of packaging filler.
There’s a lot of discussion around excess packaging (some online retailers are notorious for it!) so if your packaging is seen to be clever in the way it reduces waste, that will be an extra incentive for the consumer to buy your product.
Keeping things simple starts with good packaging design and is something that we champion. For example, we’ve recently helped one of our customers reduce board wastage by 44% with a redesign of their packaging layout and sizing.
7. Single materials for simple recycling and sorting
This ties in perfectly with minimalist packaging. By sticking to one type of material for your packaging reduces waste product and makes recycling for the consumer really easy. It reduces the chances of parts of the packaging being discarded as general waste when it could be recycled.
For example, removing a clear plastic window from your cardboard packaging and replacing with an aperture (where appropriate) is a good place to start.
8. Reduction in glue and tape use
Many tapes are not recyclable and must be removed before placing items in household recycling bins. This issue can be resolved by using clever folding techniques, such as snap lock bottom boxes, which make packaging more recyclable by eliminating the need for glue.
Plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, breaking down into micro pieces but never truly disappearing. So replacing joints that require tape with clever packaging design is the perfect way to remove the need for additional plastic.
This solution is easy to implement during the production and packaging process, whether it involves hand assembly or machine assembly, as the packaging can be very simple assembled by hand or machine.
9. Replacing plastic packaging with board
“Over 2.2 million metric tons of plastic packaging waste were generated in the United Kingdom in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. Snack bags, packets, and wrappers as well as food and vegetables packaging are the most common type of plastic packaging waste thrown out by UK households.” **
These statistics are driving brands to find plastic packaging alternatives that are more sustainable. For example, card-based tubs are replacing the traditional plastic yoghurt pots, as well as cardboard pots for ice cream with recyclable freezer-safe board.
In reality, the decision to switch to sustainable packaigng will ultimately be influenced by price point and ease of assembly. Which is why plastic packaging is sometimes favoured by businesses that are operating at high product turnover and low margins. Therefore, if we can create sustainable and innovative packaging that minimises impact on costs, it’s a win-win.
What to look for when choosing packaging
Are you looking to make your packaging more sustainable? Great! Here are a few things to consider when picking your packaging partner:
- BRCGS accreditation – This certification can help companies reduce waste and comply with environmental regulations.
- Carbon Balancing – Avoid greenwashing schemes by choosing a Carbon Neutral programme that aligns with your brand goals.
- Vegetable-based inks
- Recycled board – These are becoming more common within the food industry.
Here at Newton Print we are aware that choosing the right packaging for your business is a delicate balance with functionality, cost and aesthetics including ease of use during the production and assembly process. Talk to our experienced team today to find out how we can help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Looking for inspiration? View our case studies
References
* https://www.statista.com/statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk
** https://www.statista.com/statistics/995590/plastic-packaging-waste-generated-uk/
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