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However , years of investment in research and development have led to several new materials that packaging companies can now use to create items traditionally made from plastic . For example , millions of single-use coffee cups are thrown out by Australians every single day . As plastic is used to line the cups to ensure their structural integrity , these cups end up in landfills instead of being recycled or composted . However , renewable and compostable alternatives such as cups with aqueous coatings or bio-plastic bases now exist to counteract the growing issue of single-use disposable cups ; these cups are available from materials such as ethically sourced wood pulp , sugarcane or bamboo . These sustainable cups can be recycled or composted in specific conditions , significantly reducing environmental impact .
What are the different types of sustainable packaging materials ? Sustainable packaging materials fall into three main categories : recyclable , reusable , and compostable :
• Recyclable packaging includes cardboard and paper-based materials . You can dispose of paper-based materials in recycling bins and reform them . Many cardboard and paper products are at least partially made from recycled material .
• Reusable packaging can include things like metal containers , glass bottles , wooden pallets , and heavy-duty plastic tote bags . These products can be used by consumers multiple times and can often be recycled when damaged . Reusable materials can initially be more expensive but are likely to be more cost-effective in the long run .
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