Real‑world examples of zero waste packaging strategies - practical examples that actually work

Before we talk theory, let’s look at real examples of zero waste packaging strategies that are already working in the wild. Seeing how others do it makes it much easier to design your own system.

One of the best examples comes from the refill and reuse world. Companies like Loop (backed by TerraCycle) partner with major brands to sell products—think ice cream, detergent, snacks—in durable, returnable containers. Shoppers pay a deposit, use the product, then send the containers back to be cleaned and refilled. No single-use packaging, no trash. It’s a living, global example of how zero waste packaging strategies can scale beyond boutique brands.

Another strong example of zero waste packaging strategies in practice is Lush Cosmetics’ “naked” products. Many of their soaps, shampoos, and conditioners are sold with no packaging at all, or with minimal paper that can be composted. By designing products that don’t need a bottle or tub, they’re cutting waste at the source—arguably the most powerful zero waste move you can make.

If you’re shipping products, look at how Patagonia and REI have reduced waste. They’ve shifted toward recyclable paper mailers, eliminated plastic windows, and use recycled paper and cardboard. They also avoid mixed-material packaging that’s hard to recycle. These are simple but effective examples of zero waste packaging strategies—practical examples that any e‑commerce brand can borrow.

The pattern across these examples: design out waste from the start, then build systems to keep materials in circulation.

Reusable and returnable packaging: the strongest example of zero waste thinking

If you’re looking for the single most impactful example of zero waste packaging strategies, reusable and returnable systems are it.

Think of refillable beverage kegs, milk bottles, or soda bottles. This isn’t new; it’s how milk and soda used to be delivered across the U.S. and Europe. What’s new is the modern infrastructure and tech that makes it easier to manage deposits, returns, and tracking.

Today, you see modern examples include:

• Loop’s reusable containers for groceries and household goods.
• Coffee shops offering discounts when customers bring their own cups or containers.
• Refill stores where customers bring jars and bottles to fill with grains, oils, cleaning products, and more.

From a business perspective, these examples of zero waste packaging strategies are practical because they can cut long-term packaging costs. Instead of buying endless pallets of single-use boxes or bottles, you invest in durable containers and a return system. Over time, each container pays for itself after several reuse cycles.

From a sustainability perspective, reuse beats recycling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks source reduction and reuse above recycling in its waste management hierarchy (epa.gov). Every time you refill instead of discard, you avoid the energy and emissions of making something new.

If you’re a smaller business, you don’t need a fancy app or national network. Practical examples include:

• Local meal-prep companies using reusable containers with a simple deposit.
• Farmers market vendors offering a discount when customers return egg cartons or glass jars.
• Online sellers using reusable shipping totes for local delivery routes.

Each of these is an example of zero waste packaging strategies applied in a way that fits the scale of the business.

Refill models and concentrates: shrinking packaging at the source

Another family of examples of zero waste packaging strategies—practical examples you can copy right now—involves selling concentrated products and refills.

You’ve probably seen this with:

• Concentrated cleaning sprays where you buy a durable spray bottle once, then add small concentrate refills and water at home.
• Shampoo and conditioner bars, which replace bottled liquids with solid bars that need little or no packaging.
• Laundry detergent sheets or strips, which avoid heavy plastic jugs.

Brands like Blueland and Grove Collaborative built their businesses on these ideas: ship small, light refills instead of bulky, plastic-heavy bottles. This kind of model is one of the best examples of zero waste packaging strategies because it tackles both packaging waste and shipping emissions.

The logic is simple:

• You design a durable container that customers keep.
• You sell smaller refills in minimal, recyclable or compostable packaging.
• You cut plastic, reduce freight weight, and make your entire system more efficient.

Studies on life cycle impacts show that refills and concentrates can significantly reduce material use and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional single-use packaging, especially when customers actually reuse the container multiple times. You can explore life cycle thinking through resources from the U.S. EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management program (epa.gov/smm).

For your own business, practical examples include:

• Offering refill pouches for lotions, soaps, or sauces.
• Selling bulk sizes to refill smaller containers at home.
• Partnering with local refill shops so customers can top up your products in person.

Each one is a concrete example of zero waste packaging strategies that doesn’t require reinventing your entire product line.

Smart material choices: recyclable, compostable, and minimal

Sometimes the most realistic examples of zero waste packaging strategies are about better materials and less of them, not complex systems.

Here are some real examples:

• Switching from plastic bubble mailers to paper mailers that are curbside recyclable.
• Using molded pulp inserts instead of foam or plastic for product protection.
• Choosing paper tape over plastic tape on cardboard boxes.
• Designing boxes to fit the product so you don’t need tons of filler.

Companies like Amazon have publicly committed to reducing packaging weight and shifting toward more recyclable materials; their “Frustration-Free Packaging” program pushed suppliers to use right-sized, recyclable boxes with less plastic. While Amazon is far from zero waste, these shifts show how even huge players can move toward better examples of zero waste packaging strategies.

When it comes to compostable materials, be selective. Some compostable plastics only break down in industrial composting facilities, not in a backyard pile. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides offer guidance on how to make honest claims about recyclability and compostability (ftc.gov).

Practical, lower-risk moves include:

• Using uncoated or water-based coated paper that can be recycled.
• Avoiding plastic windows on envelopes and boxes.
• Printing with soy or water-based inks to keep paper easier to recycle.

These are quieter, less flashy examples of zero waste packaging strategies, but they’re often the easiest to implement and scale.

Take-back and reverse logistics: closing the loop

If you sell high-value or bulky products, take-back programs are powerful examples of zero waste packaging strategies – practical examples that keep packaging and products circulating.

Some real examples include:

• Electronics brands that take back devices and packaging for recycling or refurbishment.
• Furniture companies that collect packaging materials upon delivery and reuse or recycle them.
• Outdoor gear brands that accept worn-out items and packaging, then repair, resell, or recycle them.

Patagonia’s Worn Wear program is a famous case. While it focuses more on clothing than packaging, it shows how a brand can build a system to take back products, repair them, and keep them out of landfills. The same thinking applies to packaging: if you can get it back, you can reuse it.

For smaller businesses, practical examples include:

• Offering a prepaid label for customers to return packaging that’s designed for reuse.
• Partnering with local logistics or reuse services to collect and redistribute packaging.
• Setting up collection bins at retail locations for customers to return containers or bags.

The key is designing packaging for multiple lives—durable, easy to clean, and clearly labeled—then building a simple way for it to come home.

Digital, direct, and no-packaging options

Some of the best examples of zero waste packaging strategies skip physical packaging altogether.

Think about:

• Digital products and services: ebooks, online courses, streaming media—no box, no plastic wrap, no mailer.
• Local delivery in reusable crates: grocery delivery in reusable bins that are picked up on the next delivery.
• Click-and-collect models where customers bring their own containers or bags to pick up items.

Grocery chains experimenting with bring-your-own-container programs are living examples of zero waste packaging strategies in brick-and-mortar settings. They shift responsibility and opportunity to the customer, who becomes part of the solution.

If your business has any part of its offering that can go digital or direct—manuals, instructions, receipts, warranty cards—moving those online is a simple, often overlooked example of zero waste packaging strategies. A QR code on a box instead of a printed booklet can save paper and ink across thousands of units.

Trends to watch in 2024–2025: making zero waste packaging easier

The landscape is shifting fast, and it’s getting easier to find examples of zero waste packaging strategies at every scale.

Some key trends:

• Policy pressure: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging are expanding in places like California and other states. These laws make companies financially responsible for the end-of-life of their packaging, nudging them toward zero waste models. You can track policy developments via resources like the U.S. EPA and state environmental agencies.
• Standardized reusable packaging: More cities and campuses are adopting standardized reusable cup and container programs, where multiple vendors share the same pool of reusables. Universities and municipalities often publish case studies; for example, many campus sustainability offices (search via .edu sites) share data on waste reductions from reusable programs.
• Better material science: Researchers at universities and labs are developing fiber-based and bio-based materials that can be recycled or composted more easily. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (energy.gov) shares research on bio-based products that may influence future packaging.
• Consumer expectations: Surveys continue to show that a growing share of consumers prefer products with lower packaging impact, especially younger buyers. While attitudes don’t always translate to behavior, this shift supports businesses that invest in zero waste strategies.

These trends mean that examples of zero waste packaging strategies – practical examples you see today – will likely become the norm rather than the exception over the next decade.

How to choose the right zero waste packaging strategy for your business

All these examples are inspiring, but you still have a business to run. The trick is to pick examples of zero waste packaging strategies that fit your products, customers, and budget.

A simple way to think about it:

1. Start with reduction. Ask, “What packaging can we remove entirely?” Could you skip the inner box, the plastic wrap, or the decorative filler? Every piece you remove is instant zero waste progress.
2. Prioritize reuse where it makes sense. If your products are delivered locally or on a subscription model, reusable packaging is a strong candidate. If you ship globally, focus on light, recyclable materials.
3. Make recycling realistic, not theoretical. Use materials that are widely accepted in curbside programs in your main markets. In the U.S., that usually means cardboard, paper, some metals, and certain plastics. The EPA’s Recycling Basics page offers a good overview of what typically gets recycled (epa.gov/recycle).
4. Test with real customers. Pilot a new packaging format with a small group. Ask: Did it protect the product? Was it easy to reuse or recycle? Did customers understand what to do with it?
5. Tell the story clearly. Clear instructions on the package—"Return this box,” “Refill this bottle,” “Recycle this mailer"—turn your strategy into action.

By treating these real examples of zero waste packaging strategies as a menu rather than a checklist, you can build a custom approach that works for your operations instead of fighting them.

FAQ: common questions about examples of zero waste packaging strategies

What are some simple examples of zero waste packaging strategies for small businesses?
Simple, low-cost examples include using right-sized cardboard boxes with paper tape, skipping unnecessary inner packaging, switching to paper mailers instead of plastic, and offering refills or bulk sizes for popular products. Many small brands also reuse incoming boxes and packing paper for outgoing shipments, clearly labeling them so customers understand the reuse story.

Can you give an example of zero waste packaging in e‑commerce?
A practical example of zero waste packaging in e‑commerce is a brand that ships products in a single, right-sized cardboard box sealed with paper tape, uses recycled paper for cushioning instead of plastic, and offers a take-back or reuse program for local customers. Some companies go further by using reusable shipping totes on local delivery routes, collecting them on the next delivery.

Are compostable mailers a good example of zero waste packaging strategies?
They can be, but only if your customers have access to the right composting systems and the mailers are certified for those systems. In many U.S. cities, industrial composting is limited, so a compostable mailer might still end up in a landfill. Often, a simple recyclable paper mailer is a more reliable zero waste move.

Do zero waste packaging strategies always cost more?
Not necessarily. While reusable containers or new materials can have higher upfront costs, many businesses save money over time by buying fewer single-use items, reducing shipping weight, and avoiding waste disposal fees. Some of the best examples of zero waste packaging strategies—like removing unnecessary packaging—actually save money immediately.

How do I know if my packaging is truly zero waste?
Ask three questions: Can this packaging be reused easily? If not, can it be recycled or composted where my customers live? And if all else fails, is there a way to redesign the product or packaging to avoid this material altogether? Looking at your packaging through that lens, and comparing it with real examples of zero waste packaging strategies from other businesses, will show you how close you are—and where to go next.