Sustainable Packaging: How Vegan Brands Are Reducing Waste

Packaging is a visible touchpoint where food brands can make an environmental difference. Many vegan brands, guided by mission-driven values, are testing innovative approaches to reduce single-use waste and improve recyclability.

Common sustainable strategies

• Compostable film and trays: Made from plant-derived polymers or fiber-based pulp, these materials break down in industrial composting facilities.
• Minimalist design: Eliminating unnecessary plastics and multi-layer laminates improves recyclability.
• Return and refill systems: Brands partner with retailers or run direct-to-consumer refill programs for bulk staples like oils and grains.
• Recyclable mono-materials: Single-polymer packaging is easier for municipal recycling streams to process than multi-layer laminates.

Challenges brands face

Despite progress, barriers remain:

• Infrastructure gaps: Compostable materials need industrial composting to break down properly — not every region has facilities.
• Cost pressures: Sustainable materials and systems can be more expensive, affecting price-sensitive shoppers.
• Consumer confusion: Mixed messaging on recyclability and compostability can lead to contamination in recycling streams.

Examples of promising pilots

Some brands are launching pilot programs for reusable containers in partnership with supermarkets. Others use returnable glass jars for spreads and sauces, offering discounts on refills. Innovations in biomaterials—like mushroom-based packaging and seaweed films—are moving from lab to pilot production.

"Sustainability is not just the right story to tell; it's an operational challenge that requires system-level change," said a sustainability director at a plant-based startup.

What consumers can do

• Support brands with transparent packaging claims and third-party certifications.
• Use local composting or municipal programs when available.
• Choose bulk options and bring reusable containers when possible.

What retailers can do

Retailers can facilitate change by offering refill stations, incentivizing returns, and educating shoppers about sorting. Collaboration across the value chain is essential to scale reuse systems economically.

Outlook

Expect iterative improvements: smarter mono-materials, more refill partnerships, and clearer labeling. The vegan sectors alignment with sustainability gives it a unique platform to pilot packaging innovations that can later scale across the broader food industry.