mPackting bets on low carbon beauty packaging solutions
At mPackting we believe it is important to use low carbon materials and manufacturing processes in beauty packaging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit waste. We offer eco-friendly beauty packaging solutions made from materials such as FSC-wood, cork, pulp, and mBlack™, a special low carbon material that is biodegradable and compostable. Learn about our custom and standard eco-responsible packaging solutions and our services: feasibility studies, design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and warehousing.
First of all, what does it mean low carbon material and process?
The term "low carbon" typically refers to materials and manufacturing processes that have a lower carbon footprint than the traditional ones. Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions (usually measured in CO2-eq) that are produced throughout the life cycle of a product or process, including the extraction of raw materials, transportation, manufacturing, use, and disposal.
A low carbon material is one that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions during its production and use than traditional materials. For example, using recycled materials or sustainably sourced materials can help reduce the carbon footprint of a product. Additionally, materials that are more lightweight can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation.
In the same way, a low carbon manufacturing process is one that uses less energy or a higher percentage of renewable energy, and generates fewer emissions. For example, optimizing a process to reduce waste and energy consumption, or switching (totally or partially) to wind or solar power can help reduce the carbon footprint of a manufacturing process
The importance of the low carbon approach
It is important to consider low carbon materials and processes in beauty packaging for several reasons. Firstly, the cosmetic industry is one of the largest contributors to plastic waste, with packaging being a major source of waste. Using low carbon materials, such as recycled, biobased or biodegradable materials, can help reduce the environmental impact of beauty packaging and limit the amount of waste generated.
Secondly, the production and transportation of beauty packaging can have a significant carbon footprint, contributing to climate change. Using low carbon processes, such as renewable energy sources and optimizing manufacturing processes, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change.
Finally, consumers are increasingly interested in sustainable and eco-friendly products, and using low carbon materials and processes in beauty packaging can help meet this demand and enhance a brand's reputation as environmentally responsible.
The mPackting approach
Trying to take a truly environment-friendly path, mPackting really focuses on earth-based material:
Wood: Wood is our history and our heritage, choosing FSC-wood for the best possible forest management. A kg of wood holds, on average, 450 to 500 grams of carbon, translating in about 1,65 to 1,80 kg of CO2. It also weighs, on average, about 15% less than polypropylene, helping to lower the transportation emissions.
Cork: A really special kind of wood, known since the early centuries for its own unique properties, it’s food safe, elastic and carbon negative, meaning its carbon footprint is not only low, but it’s even below zero, so it has a positive impact on our environment! Just imagine a single bottle cork being able to store 400 grams of CO2 while weighing 60 grams itself, how crazy is that?
Pulp: Cellulose pulp is another perfect example of how nature provides us with a lot of incredible materials: pulp is easily molded, compostable and, of course, bio based and recycled. Lightweight and easily produced in large quantities, pulp can replace plastic in secondary packaging applications while lowering environmental impact.
mBlack™: mPackting developed its own material to be used for all the applications where wood, cork and pulp are not up to the challenge. mBlack™ is a special low carbon material born from nature, biodegradable and even compostable, but also durable when needed. It’s moldable and it has barrier properties just like traditional plastics, and you won't have to give up an elegant and luxurious aesthetic for your eco-friendly cosmetic packaging solutions.
A few examples:
mPackting runs internal carbon emissions analysis for its own products, here’s a few interesting results from the tests we’ve run on our own “Silva” refill collection:
A wooden cosmetic refill jar would emit 20% less CO2eq than the same product made of a common plastic on the market (polypropylene)
An mBlack™ refill lipstick would emit about 25% less CO2eq than the same product made of a common plastic on the market (polypropylene)
A LegnaPin monomaterial perfume cap has a 5% lower emission rate compared to a similar item made of a common plastic on the market (polypropylene)
mPackting offers custom and standard eco-responsible beauty packaging solutions
Contact us to learn more about our services (feasibility studies, design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, warehousing), our eco-friendly materials and design approach for your cosmetic packaging!