Every product we purchase arrives in a package. From online deliveries to grocery items, packaging is everywhere, and it is one of the fastest-growing contributors to solid waste in the United States. Understanding where packaging waste originates and how it moves through the system is key to finding solutions that actually work.
The Scale of the Problem
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that packaging accounts for roughly 30 percent of all municipal solid waste. That translates to tens of millions of tons of discarded cardboard, plastics, metals, and glass each year. Online shopping has accelerated this trend. A single delivery may include multiple layers of materials such as plastic air cushions, corrugated boxes, and branded wrapping. Most of these materials are discarded immediately after use.
Plastic: The Most Persistent Polluter
Plastic packaging is light, inexpensive, and versatile, but it is also the most environmentally persistent. Only about 9 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. The rest has ended up in landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment. Common culprits include snack wrappers, clamshell containers, and film plastics used in shipping. Because these items are often made from mixed materials, they cannot be easily separated or processed by recycling facilities.
The consequence is long-lasting pollution. Plastics can take centuries to degrade, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and even human food chains. Reducing reliance on single-use plastics is one of the most direct ways to cut packaging waste.
Paper and Cardboard: Recyclable but Rising
Cardboard and paper packaging are generally more recyclable, but their production still consumes large quantities of water and energy. The rise in e-commerce has driven up demand for corrugated boxes, increasing both manufacturing emissions and transportation waste. Businesses purchasing wholesale large boxes for shipping can mitigate their footprint by choosing recycled or certified sustainable paper sources and reusing boxes where possible.
Reducing packaging waste will not happen overnight, but every decision can help shift the system toward sustainability. Small changes at scale have the power to reshape how we produce, use, and dispose of everyday materials. Check out the infographic below to learn more.
