Have you ever ordered something labelled “eco-friendly” only for it to arrive wrapped like a mummy in bubble wrap and plastic sleeves? Bit of a buzzkill, right?
In Australia, packaging waste makes up a significant chunk of household rubbish—about 1.9 million tonnes of it each year, in fact. While a fair bit gets recycled, a whole lot surely ends up in landfill, or worse, floating around in our oceans. That’s why eco-friendly packaging matters. It helps cut down waste, reduce our environmental footprint, and give a bit of love back to Mother Earth.
The good news? More brands are starting to catch on. The bad news? Not all “green” claims are really what they say they are. That’s where a little know-how (and a healthy dose of scepticism) comes in handy.
Here at Hello Green, we’re all about making low-waste and low-tox living easy, practical, and dare we say, a little bit fun. So if you’re wondering how to tell whether the packaging you’re buying (or receiving) is truly planet-friendly, here’s your guide to spotting the good stuff—and avoiding the greenwashed fluff.
What Is Sustainable Packaging, Anyway?
Just because something’s brown or has a leafy logo doesn’t mean it’s the real deal. Truly eco-friendly packaging ticks a few important boxes:
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It’s recyclable, reusable, compostable, or made from renewable, non-toxic materials.
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It’s designed with the full life cycle in mind—from production to disposal (or, ideally, reuse).
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It avoids harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and other nasties.
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It’s produced with minimal environmental impact—meaning less energy, water, and emissions.
In short: sustainable packaging looks after the planet from start to finish. If it takes 400 to 1000 years to break down, it’s not the one.
6 Ways to Spot Sustainable Packaging
1. Look for Clear Recycling Symbols
You’d think packaging would tell you if it’s recyclable but many don’t. Instead, we end up “wish-cycling” (chucking things into the recycling bin and hoping for the best). Clear recycling symbols are your best friend here. Look for:
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Mobius loop (that familiar triangle of arrows, sometimes with a number inside)
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ARL (Australasian Recycling Label) which gives clear, simple instructions on whether to bin it, recycle it, or take it to a collection point
If you’re squinting at a package trying to find the recycling info and it’s nowhere to be found, it’s probably not recyclable.
2. Check the Materials
Some materials are much kinder to the environment than others. Look for:
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Cardboard or kraft paper (especially FSC-certified)
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Glass (can be endlessly recycled without losing quality)
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Stainless steel (incredibly durable and recyclable)
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Food-grade silicone (a reusable alternative to plastic)
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Natural fibres like bamboo or cotton
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Certified compostable bioplastics (not just “biodegradable”—more on that later)
Skip single-use plastics, polystyrene, plastic takeaway containers, or anything that feels suspiciously shiny and synthetic—they are major red flags.
3. Less Is More
Excess packaging is a dead giveaway. If a tiny item shows up in a giant box stuffed with plastic filler, it’s not doing the planet any favours.
Look for brands that keep things minimalist, just enough packaging to keep the product safe, and nothing more. Bonus points if they ditch the glossy labels and plastic window cut-outs too.
4. See if It’s Home Compostable
There’s “biodegradable,” and then there’s home compostable—and trust us, they’re not the same. Biodegradable just means it’ll break down eventually… somehow… somewhere… maybe… Home compostable means you can pop the packaging in your compost bin and it’ll safely break down in your backyard, not in 10,000 years and without needing an industrial facility.
Look for certifications like:
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AS 5810 - Australia’s gold standard for home compostable certification)
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TÜV Austria OK compost HOME - an internationally recognised certification that guarantees a product will fully biodegrade in a regular home compost setup, without any special conditions
A great example? Keeper Clean, who uses compostable and recyclable packaging for their eco cleaning products, making it easier to ditch the plastic and still keep things tidy.
5. Opt for Reusable Packaging (and Products That Replace It)
Want to know the best way to fight packaging waste? Go for reusables you can rely on day after day. At Hello Green, we’re all about reusables that actually stay in the game. Less single-use, more planet-friendly goodness.
Some clever swaps in our product range include:
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Earthware's sleek, reusable water bottles
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Glasslock containers for leftovers and lunch
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OmieBox bento-style containers with built-in thermos compartments
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Go Green and The Fox Club's lunch box sets designed for portion control and zero-waste lunches
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Oasis insulated bottles for hot or cold drinks
Reusable = less single-use rubbish = major eco-friendly points.
6. Watch Out for Greenwashing
Last but definitely not least: beware of brands that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. Greenwashing is when companies make misleading claims about being “eco” to appeal to conscious shoppers without actually backing it up.
Common greenwashing red flags:
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Vague language (“natural,” “earth-friendly”) without certifications
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Green-coloured packaging without real substance
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Highlighting one eco feature while ignoring major environmental flaws
A genuinely eco-friendly brand will be transparent about their materials, certifications, and production processes—and will often go the extra mile to educate you, too.
If it sounds too good to be true (or too vague to understand), it probably is.
The Wrap-Up
Choosing eco-friendly packaging might seem like one small decision—but together, small decisions add up to big change. Every recyclable box and reusable container helps cut down waste, protect wildlife, and reduce the collective environmental impact of packaging.
So next time you’re shopping—whether it’s a gift, your groceries, or a top-up of household bits—have a little squiz at the packaging. Is it recyclable? Reusable? Compostable? Minimalist? If it ticks even a couple of those boxes, you’re doing your bit.
At Hello Green, we believe every little eco-friendly choice matters—and we’re here to make them easier (and a lot more fun) for you. Want to shop consciously minus the guesswork? Explore our collection and stock up on sustainable goodies that help you skip the landfill and live a little lighter on the planet.
