When you unwrap a delivery or grab a product off a store shelf, your attention is usually on what you bought — the item itself.

But there’s another layer to consider: the packaging. Cardboard boxes, padded mailers, plastic wraps, foam inserts, zip ties, and bubble cushioning are all part of the package. They’re there to protect and present, but they also leave behind a trail of waste.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really inside your packaging — and the environmental footprint it carries.

The Layers of Packaging

Most products come with multiple layers of packaging:

1. Primary Packaging – This is the material that’s directly around the product, like a bottle, jar, or plastic wrap.
2. Secondary Packaging – Used for branding or extra protection, such as a printed box or decorative sleeve.
3. Tertiary Packaging – This is used mainly for logistics and shipping: cardboard boxes, pallets, shrink wrap, and bubble mailers.

Each layer serves a purpose, but together they add up to a massive volume of disposable material.

How Much Waste Are We Talking About?

Packaging is one of the largest contributors to solid waste around the world. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that containers and packaging account for about 30% of all municipal solid waste, totaling more than 80 million tons every year.

While some of this waste can be recycled, a large portion — especially plastic and mixed-material packaging — ends up in landfills or the natural environment. Much of it is used for only a few minutes before being discarded.

A Breakdown of Common Packaging Materials

Here’s what’s commonly used in packaging and what happens to it after use:

• Corrugated Cardboard: Used in shipping boxes, this is one of the more sustainable materials. It’s widely recyclable and often made from recycled content. A growing number of mailer manufacturers are focusing on using recycled cardboard in their padded mailers and boxes to help reduce waste.
• Plastic: Found in shrink wrap, bubble wrap, air pillows, and many types of product packaging. It’s lightweight and durable but notoriously hard to recycle — only about 9% of global plastic waste is successfully recycled.
• Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam): Used for cushioning and takeout containers, this material is not biodegradable and is rarely accepted by recycling programs. It can break apart easily, contributing to microplastic pollution.
• Paperboard and Coated Paper: Used for cereal boxes, sleeves, and cartons. It’s recyclable in many areas, but when combined with waxes, plastics, or metallic inks, it becomes difficult to process.
• Glass and Aluminum: Common in food and drink packaging. These materials are more sustainable because they can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality.

The Bigger Picture

Packaging waste does more than clutter our bins — it drives up carbon emissions and resource use. Manufacturing packaging consumes raw materials and energy, and transporting it adds more emissions to the equation. The waste, when incinerated or landfilled, releases methane and other greenhouse gases.

Even though plastic packaging may seem efficient due to its light weight, its environmental toll is high due to its fossil fuel origins and low recyclability.

Where We’re Headed

Thankfully, innovation is happening. Companies are reducing excess packaging, shifting to compostable or recyclable materials, and embracing reusable packaging models. Some are partnering with eco-conscious mailer manufacturers who specialize in creating padded mailers made from recycled fibers or compostable materials.

Consumers play a vital role, too. By supporting products with sustainable packaging and recycling responsibly, we can reduce demand for waste-heavy options.

At the end of the day, packaging is more than just what keeps your purchase safe — it’s a major part of a product’s environmental impact. Every box, bag, and mailer tells a story about how we source, use, and dispose of materials. By paying attention to what’s really inside our packaging, we take a meaningful step toward reducing waste and making better choices for the planet.