Aeiral view of a forest of trees intersected by a river.

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Eco-conscious packaging isn't a trend — it's the new reality.

Sustainable is Now Attainable

With each passing day, customers, regulators and governments are increasing their focus on sustainability and placing high expectations on your business to utilize eco-conscious packaging and shipping solutions.

Complying with these demands has proven difficult for many organizations, as cost, material availability and quality control have stood in the way of a straightforward adoption of sustainable practices.

3M’s suite of sustainable packaging products is designed with these concerns in mind, making eco-conscious packaging and shipping more achievable than ever before.

New Difficulties, New Opportunities

The Challenges of Sustainability

  • A blue recycling bin is being lifted to a recycling truck.
    Legislation/Regulatory Changes

    As laws and regulations are created, changed, and enforced, navigating compliance to avoid penalties and maintain market access is increasingly challenging.

  • A person handing off a cardboard box to another person.
    Consumer Demand

    Reducing plastic waste is increasingly at the forefront of many consumer decisions, and with the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer shipping, customers are becoming more aware, and discerning, of what packaging materials are used.

  • A calculator is surrounded by printed receipts and charts.
    Cost

    Increased costs associated with eco-conscious packaging options come primarily in two forms: higher material costs — compared to conventional options — and increased expenses when adopting new processes.

  • Three packages ready for shipping on a conveyor belt.
    Automation

    Due to many legacy systems being designed solely for traditional packaging materials, eco-conscious alternatives are often incompatible with existing automated packaging processes, creating both financial and logistical strain.

  • Two people wearing hard hats look at a tablet risting on a table.
    Quality Control

    As a burgeoning field of innovation, recycled material products may not be as consistent in quality as virgin materials, leading to a greater risk of damage to both shipped items and brand reputation in the event of compromised packaging.

  • Two people standing in front of shelves in a warehouse look at a document.
    Education/Training

    The conversation around sustainability is constantly shifting and evolving, making it difficult to stay up-to-date on the latest rules, regulations, and innovations — let alone ensure your workforce is educated and trained with the most recent and accurate information.


Our Solutions

Your Trusted Partner in Reliability, Automation, and Sustainability

In the face of uncertainty in the sustainable packaging discussion, 3M is putting decades of experience in science-based innovation to use, pioneering new and industry-leading technologies to help address the needs of today — and the challenges of tomorrow.

Explore our ever-growing catalog of sustainability-focused solutions and discover how choosing 3M as your sustainability partner will make the difference when making a difference.

  • Paper packaging running through automated machine.
    3M™ Padded Automatable Curbside Recyclable (PACR) Mailer Material

    A paper-based, certified-recyclable material that uses proprietary padding technology for durable and reliable defense against drops, bursts, and vibration. This material is engineered to be used with qualified automated packaging machines for fast and efficient operations. This is the future of packing.

  • Paper sealing tape in a an automated sealer.
    Scotch® Performance Paper Box Sealing Tape 570

    The first industrial paper-backed case sealing tape with sustainability features made by 3M. With a solvent-free hot melt adhesive that eliminates the need for any water during tape application, this tape is fully compatible with hand, manually-dispensed, and fully-automated sealing processes. This is the future of sealing.


Additional Solutions to Help Meet Your Sustainability Goals

  • Four rolls of clear tapes of different sizes in front of cardboard boxes.
    Scotch® Plus+ Tapes

    This tape family offers performance-grade adhesion with high tack, quick grab, and excellent adherence to 100% recycled corrugate — helping to reduce overall tape usage. With the added benefit of being fully compatible with 3M-Matic™ Case Sealers, Scotch® Plus+ Tapes offer a no-compromise case sealing experience while helping to minimize product waste.

  • A close up of a person's hand holding a cardboard box by a handle.
    3M™ Carry Handles

    Whether applied at the checkout counter or the factory floor, 3M™ Carry Handles offer a simple, yet effective, alternative to large plastic bags. Supporting items weighing up to 50 lbs and offering excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces, these carry handles are designed to help reduce your organization’s reliance on single-use plastic — and therefore reduce single-use plastic waste.


Partnership: More Than Just a Word

  • Two people shake hands over a table with pens, a clipboard and a laptop

    Our commitment to a more sustainable future isn’t limited to innovating new packaging solutions — it’s a pledge to nurture partnerships with our customers to identify problems, ideate solutions, and implement improvements.

    Let’s work together to bring about change in a way that not only improves sustainability, but elevates your business operations in the process.


Resources

Understand the science-based innovation behind our sustainable packaging solutions.

  • (SPEECH) [NO SPEECH] (DESCRIPTION) Text: Purpose Driven Performance. 3M™ Sustainable Packaging. From above, a forest. Workers load boxes onto a truck. Text: The Future Needs Responsible Packaging, Heightened Environmental Awareness, Additional Environmental-Focused Regulations, Increased E-Commerce Shipments, Expanding Corporate Sustainability Goals. Sustainability is a Journey A person walks between stands of tall trees. Text: 3M Delivers Innovation. A package moves off the end of a conveyor belt and bounces off material that moves over a roller. Text: 3M™ Padded Automatable Curbside Recyclable (PACR) Mailer Material. Certified recyclable and > 99% repulpable. Lightweight and supports rightsized packaging. Scotch Performance Paper Box-Sealing Tape 5 70. Backing is made with responsibly-sourced paper. Compatible with manual dispensers and automated case sealers. Scotch Plus Tapes. For up to 100% recycled corrugate. 3M Carry Handles. Reduces plastic waste by 74%. Your Partner in Progress. Logo: 3M. Science. Applied to Life. Text: The information contained in this video is intended for industrial/occupational use by persons with the knowledge and technical skills to use such products. For additional information, including important safety and warranty information, consult product packaging, technical data sheets and safety data sheets on 3M.com. 3M, Scotch-Weld, and 3M Science. Applied to Life., are trademarks of 3M Company. © 3M 2024. All rights reserved.

    A forest of green trees from above with the text Purpose Driven Performance 3M™ Sustainable Packaging and a play button
    Video

    We're bringing you the story of sustainable packaging.

  • Three pages of a brochure with information on 3M™ Sustainable Packaging Solutions
    Brochure

    Learn how 3M can help you meet requirements for product performance and meet your sustainability goals. We're driving performance with a purpose.


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