The choice between paper and plastic may seem simple at first glance, but there’s more to it than you might think. Paper packaging is becoming increasingly common in stores, supermarkets and delivery services. This isn’t just a trend. It reflects a growing environmental awareness and a collective search for more sustainable alternatives. In this blog, you’ll read why paper is often the better choice, how it differs from plastic, what its environmental impact is and why more companies are choosing packaging that does less harm.
How paper and plastic packaging are made
Paper packaging is made from wood fibres derived from trees. This material is natural, biological and in most cases renewable. During the production process, the fibres are mixed with water, pressed into sheets and then dried. Sometimes the paper is treated to make it stronger or more resistant to grease and moisture, for example for food packaging. Producing paper requires relatively large amounts of water and energy, though renewable energy is increasingly being used.
Plastic packaging is made from petroleum or natural gas. These raw materials are processed into small plastic pellets, which are then melted and shaped into packaging. Plastic can be moulded into many forms, from ultra-thin bags to sturdy food containers. It’s lightweight and strong, but its production emits a lot of CO2 and relies on finite resources. In some cases, less plastic is needed to be compared to paper to fulfil the same packaging function, which may reduce the environmental impact per item. Milieu Centraal notes that plastic’s low weight sometimes results in lower emissions from transport and production per unit.
How harmful are paper and plastic to the environment
Paper generally has a lower environmental impact than plastic, but not in every situation. Producing paper uses a lot of water and energy, though the material breaks down faster in nature and is made from renewable materials. Especially if the paper is recycled, its environmental harm remains limited. However, paper is heavier and bulkier than plastic, which may lead to increased transport and storage impacts.
Plastic, on the other hand, hardly degrades. A plastic bag can persist in nature for decades or even centuries. It gradually breaks down into microplastics, which are harmful to animals, people and ecosystems.
Some key differences in breakdown:
- Paper breaks down in nature within a few weeks to months
- Plastic remains for hundreds of years
- Paper packaging is often compostable
- Plastic rarely is without industrial processing
Paper decomposes completely under natural conditions, unless it is coated with plastic. Plastic packaging, however, remains as microplastics and accumulates in soil, water and organisms. Dutch governmental bodies like Rijksoverheid and Milieu Centraal confirm that plastic litter is far more persistent and harmful than paper waste. Almost 90% of waste found on Dutch beaches is plastic.
Poor waste separation also plays a role. Paper is less likely to pollute when not properly sorted, while plastic spreads easily via wind and water, making it a bigger threat to nature. In the Netherlands, around 1 million tons of plastic packaging waste is produced annually. Only part of that is actually recycled, as much of it is contaminated or made from mixed materials that cannot be processed together. The recycling rate for plastic hovers around 40 to 50 percent, but only about 7 percent is reused to make new packaging.
Paper and cardboard perform better. Over 80 percent of paper waste is collected and reused. This makes it one of the most successfully recycled materials in the Netherlands. However, paper cannot be recycled endlessly. After five to seven uses, the fibres become too short to create new paper. A small amount of new wood fibre is always needed.
How do reuse and recycling of packaging compare
Recycling is an important part of eco-friendly packaging, and paper performs better than you might expect. In the Netherlands, paper is collected efficiently, it can be reused on average five to seven times before the fibres become too short. Plastic is also recycled, but far less effectively. There are many different types of plastic, and they often need to be separated carefully, which often goes wrong. If plastic is contaminated with for instance food residue, it often can’t be reused. On top of that, plastic loses quality more quickly and is often turned into lower-grade products or ends up being incinerated. Paper packaging is easier to recycle and more often turned into usable new material.
This makes paper not only more practical during use, but also at the end of its life cycle. To make the comparison even clearer, here’s a side-by-side look:
| Property | Paper | Plastic |
| Raw material | Wood (renewable) | Petroleum or gas (fossil) |
| Biodegradable | Yes, within a few months | No, takes hundreds of years |
| Recyclable | Yes, around 5-7 times | Yes, but limited and complex |
| Production impact | Higher water use | Higher CO2 emissions |
| Protective qualities | Good for grease and air | Excellent for moisture and air |
| Compostable | Often | Only in special cases |
| Environmental impact as litter | Relatively low | High, due to microplastics |
When is paper really the better choice
In many cases, paper is a more suitable packaging material. Especially for single-use applications like wrapping sandwiches, fries or gifts, paper is the better option. It’s less damaging to the environment, breaks down faster and is easier to recycle.
Paper also works well for food packaging, as long as it doesn’t need to withstand liquids or heavy grease. Think of snack bags, bread wrappers or coffee cups with a thin inner layer. In such situations, paper offers a strong alternative to plastic trays or bags.
Still, there are situations where plastic remains more practical. Products that need to stay fresh longer or be packed airtight benefit from plastic’s durability and water resistance. That can even help reduce food waste, which ultimately saves more emissions than avoiding plastic alone. Milieu Centraal notes that packaging makes up about 10% of a food product’s environmental footprint, while food waste accounts for around 15%.
Many people assume paper is always better, but that’s not true in every case. For long-term storage or moisture-sensitive items, plastic may function better. Also, paper cannot be endlessly recycled — after several cycles, new fibres are needed. Meanwhile, not all plastic is truly recyclable in practice, due to contamination or sorting issues.
What drives companies to choose paper or plastic
Not every company immediately opts for paper, even if it seems more eco-friendly. Plastic is often cheaper to produce, lighter to transport and sometimes more versatile. However, more and more businesses are switching to sustainable alternatives due to pressure from consumers, new regulations and environmental targets.
TakeAware, for example, increasingly offers paper-based products without compromising functionality. Snack bags, sandwich wraps and paper coffee cups show it’s possible to make sustainable choices, even at scale.
Many well-known brands are making the shift. McDonald’s now uses paper straws and wrappers instead of plastic. Supermarkets are switching to paper bags and cardboard packaging. Delivery services are also leaning toward paper or cardboard over plastic. These choices are not only better for the planet, they also reflect what consumers want: visible, sustainable alternatives. Hybrid packaging is another development worth noting. These combine paper with a biodegradable coating, improving resistance to moisture and grease. There’s also a rise in bioplastics made from materials like cornstarch or sugarcane. These offer a middle ground for situations where pure paper isn’t yet suitable.
Factors influencing the choice include:
- Shelf life of the product
- Food safety requirements
- Recyclability or compostability
- Procurement and production costs
What government and consumers are doing to encourage sustainable packaging
The government is actively encouraging both businesses and consumers to switch to more sustainable packaging. Stricter rules around single-use plastic are being introduced, and producers are increasingly held responsible for managing packaging waste. Consumers also play a role. By choosing products wrapped in paper or by separating waste properly, you can reduce your individual impact.
What you can do:
- Choose paper packaging instead of plastic
- Reuse packaging whenever possible
- Dispose of packaging in the correct bin
- Look for certifications like FSC on paper products
To visualize your impact: imagine ordering ten takeaway meals a week. If each meal comes in a plastic container weighing 20 grams, you’d accumulate over 10 kilograms of plastic annually. By choosing paper alternatives, you reduce both waste volume and the chance that it ends up as harmful litter. A small change in routine can make a big difference. The future of packaging is clearly moving toward biodegradable, recyclable and reusable materials. Paper plays a key role in that transition.
Interesting? Then also read:
Processed banana leaves, an eco-friendly packaging solution
Sustainable lignin-PLA composites for food packaging
Toxic substances in food packaging – an opportunity for bioplastics?