Sustainable Plastic Packaging: 13 Winning Designs

Rick Lingle | Aug 15, 2023

The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) unveiled the winners in the organization’s widely recognized AmeriStar Awards for 2023. An expert panel of judges from diverse packaging industry segments rigorously evaluated dozens of entries that celebrate the packaging industry's excellence, innovation, and creativity. This year's competition saw a remarkable array of entries across 17 distinct categories, showcasing cutting-edge advancements and breakthrough solutions to help shape the future of packaging.

PlasticsToday narrows the field of winning developments to those made with plastics. These include a first-of-a-kind handled shrink bag, a cup that offers a patented tamper-evident base-to-lid closure design, a mono-material recyclable pouch, and 10 more featured in the accompanying slideshow gallery that reflect the industry’s drive toward efficiency in design and increased sustainability in materials aligned with a circular plastics economy.

First we recognize the nonplastic Best in Show winner, General Mills' revolutionary plastic-thermoform-replacing cup made from wet molded fiber. It’s a material traditionally unsuitable for shelf-stable products that, enhanced by a renewable spray coating for grease and water protection, matches the functionality of a plastic thermoform and boasts a 45% reduced carbon footprint. Introduced in 2021, the cup's packaging design continues to evolve through real-world feedback.

Onto the plastic-containing winners in the accompanying slideshow gallery...

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