Greenwashing or Real Impact? How to Identify Truly Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability has become a selling point – and with that, a space for greenwashing. Words like eco, biobased or planet-friendly appear everywhere, yet not every "green" solution delivers true impact. Businesses need to know how to separate clever marketing from real sustainability. Transparency, material lifecycle and proof matter more than slogans. SUPASO stands for exactly that: measurable impact instead of empty claims.
Greenwashing or Real Impact? How to Identify Truly Sustainable Packaging
The demand for sustainable packaging is growing fast. New materials are emerging, brands are promising greener futures, and communication is becoming more eco-themed. But while many products are marketed as “environmentally friendly,” only some stand up to scrutiny. Sometimes, the label is greener than the solution itself.
So the key question is: How can we tell if packaging is genuinely sustainable?
Below is a clear checklist for businesses – to help evaluate solutions based on facts, not buzzwords.
1. Material Origin: Where does the raw material come from?
Sustainability starts with sourcing. Understanding where materials come from, under what conditions and how far they travel is crucial.
Questions worth asking:
Are the materials renewable and responsibly sourced?
Are they locally produced or shipped halfway around the world?
Is the supply chain transparent?
SUPASO uses regional paper-based solutions with short transportation routes, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving supply reliability.
2. Lifecycle: What happens after use?
A solution is only sustainable if it fits into a circular system.
Key criteria:
Is it recyclable, or just theoretically "compostable"?
Can it be reused?
Can the material re-enter the system without quality loss?
Paper already has a well-established recycling loop, whereas many bioplastics require industrial composting that isn’t widely available.
3. Recycling Capability: Mono-material beats hybrid mixes
Composite materials are one of the biggest barriers in recycling. Even “green-looking” packaging can become waste if it isn’t system-compatible.
Look for:
Is the packaging made from a single material?
Are there problematic coatings or laminations?
Can it be recycled through standard waste streams?
SUPASO works with pure paper solutions that integrate easily into existing recycling infrastructure.
4. Proof over Buzzwords
“Eco-friendly” means little without evidence. Claims must be backed by data.
Important checkpoints:
Are there certifications, LCAs or traceable analyses?
Is communication transparent about strengths and limitations?
Are emissions reduced first, not only offset?
Credible suppliers don’t claim “100% sustainable” if it’s not verifiable.
SUPASO communicates honestly and transparently, without greenwashing shortcuts.
How to Spot Greenwashing
A few red flags to watch out for:
⚠️ vague wording without definition
⚠️ “compostable” – but only in industrial settings
⚠️ green labels without certification
⚠️ no supply chain transparency
⚠️ focus on offsetting instead of reducing emissions
The more transparent a solution is, the more trust it earns.
SUPASO: Sustainability You Can Verify
SUPASO develops packaging that delivers measurable improvement. Not just better aesthetics.
With regional production, paper-based materials, real circularity and transparent communication, the impact is tangible.
No green gloss. No empty promises.
Just packaging that makes a real difference.
Order your free sample now: https://www.supaso.eu/en/contact