Whether it’s delivery boxes or detergent bottles, doesn’t it often feel like the buildup of packaging is relentless? And nearly 80 million tons of it end up as waste yearly in the U.S.
That's why, every year, the GH Institute and Made Safe team up to host our annual Raise the Green Bar Summit, a daylong event designed to help companies create more sustainable products and practices for you. Not only are brands (big and small) prioritizing efforts to recycle, reuse, and reduce waste, but consumers are asking us more and more about good-for-the-planet buys.
This year, our sustainability experts scoured the market to find the products that use less “stuff” to deliver the goods. Check out the winners of our first-ever Sustainable Packaging Awards below.
Meet the Judges
Birnur Aral, Ph.D.
Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Director, GH Institute
Carolyn Forté
Cleaning & Home Care Director, GH Institute
Rachel Rothman
Chief Technologist, GH Institute
How We Tested
After narrowing the field, the Good Housekeeping Institute experts and industry leaders evaluated toys and personal care and cleaning products from more than 80 brands. We rigorously assessed the products' packaging on factors such as materials, recyclability, design, innovation, functionality, and minimalism.
What makes packaging sustainable?
While there is no one set definition of this, industry experts define sustainable packaging as one that has minimized its footprint in terms of carbon, water, and chemical use, along with its overall waste. This is the general framework that our panel modeled their judging criteria on. We evaluated the sustainability and functionality of the products' packaging based on the following:
- Materials: This was a multi-part category. We looked at whether the packaging was made of recycled content (the higher percentage the better!) and if it could be recycled curbside. The type of material was also important. The best ones: Clear glass (colored glass can’t be recycled), cardboard and uncoated or unwaxed paper, and aluminum. An item earned more points if its packaging didn’t use mixed materials, since that can make it more difficult to recycle.
- Minimalism: The less extra stuff, the better. That goes for secondary packaging, inserts, pumps, or droppers (as long the the product was still easily dispensed), and coloring on the box, bottle or label. We also awarded more points for lighter materials, since that means they would have less CO2 emissions during production and transportation.
- Efficiency: Above all else, the packaging has to work. We gave points for packaging that protected the product during shipment, on shelves, and all the way to your home. It also had to help successfully dispense the product, without spilling or affecting the dose.
- Innovation: This was all about the wow-factor. We appreciate brands that take risks and champion new ways to produce sustainable packaging. Points were awarded for using innovative packaging concepts, renewables in manufacturing, vegetable or soy-based inks, plant-based plastics, along with whether the item could be refilled.
- Design: Last but not least, the product should still be appealing to consumers with easy-to-read labels and a functional form.
Why is sustainable packaging important?
The simple answer: To preserve our planet! Discarded packaging creates an overwhelming amount of waste (nearly 30% of municipal solid waste is packaging and containers) and contributes to a massive carbon footprint. And just making sure that packaging is recyclable isn’t enough. A shocking 91% of plastics aren’t recycled, and nearly 25 million tons of it are dumped into the ocean each year. In part, we believe that's because what can and can’t be recycled is confusing and regulations can vary wildly from place to place.
Our experts test thousands of products every year, and of all the things that come into our Labs (and all the packaging we have to throw away and recycle), we know that the majority of consumer goods are over-packaged. The global problem, along with our first hand experience, is why we launched our inaugural Sustainable Packaging Awards to recognize products that have a minimalistic approach to product packaging, use recycled and or recyclable components, and champion innovation.
The Winners
Best Bath & Body Sustainable Packaging
Of all the products our judges looked at, Seed Phytonutrients lotion was the only one that came with something extra for the planet — a packet of seeds hidden behind each bottle! Formulated with shea butter, it’s rich and great for the whole family.
LAB RESULTS We were blown away by the unique two-layer design. The cardboard outside (made of 100% recycled paper) reinforces the inner plastic bottle, which is noticeably thin, as it uses 60% less plastic than traditional options. The brand also offers shampoo, conditioner, and facial cleanser with the same packaging.
Alaffia’s versatile soap can replace several of your go-to shower products. Use it as facial cleanser, body wash, and a shaving helper.
LAB RESULTS We like that the brand focuses more on performance and value than on extra packaging — while still prioritizing sustainable materials. The bottle, made of recycled plastic, is a whopping 32 oz, so you can go a long time before needing to purchase more.
The Right to Shower soap will get you squeaky clean head to toe, and proceeds from sales help the brand create mobile showers for the homeless. Testers liked the lather and long-lasting scent.
LAB RESULTS Its simple cardboard carton is made with 100% recycled paper, and since there’s a window, it uses even less materials than some others. We were also impressed that it’s formulated with Rainforest Alliance Certified palm oil, which is harvested responsibly without destroying native forests.
This Mrs. Meyer’s bar soap, made using a number of plant-based oils, including coconut and olive, is great for cleansing your body in the shower or keeping by the sink for handwashing. It also comes in seven other fresh scents, including Lavender and even Basil, so everyone in the family is sure to find one he or she loves.
Best Beauty & Skincare Sustainable Packaging
Finish your look with moisture-packed Burt’s Bees lipstick. Whether you want a glossy finish or a satin one, choose from 24 total shades.
LAB RESULTS The minimalist tube doesn’t come with extra packaging and is made with 100% plastic (52% recycled). Also, it’s lighter than other lipsticks (no metals or magnets), so it has less of a carbon footprint during transportation.
A smart swap for traditional face wash, Osmia’s facial bar soap gives you a deep clean you can feel good about. The Black Clay bar works for all skin types, from normal to oily to combo, but you can also choose an option like Rose Clay or Pumpkin if your skin has more specific needs (e.g., if it’s mature or rosacea-prone).
LAB RESULTS When we look at products from a sustainability perspective, not much is better than bars. You can use them to the very last sliver, and they typically have minimal packaging. That’s especially true for this soap — its box-only packaging is Forest Stewardship Council-certified, and the ink is vegetable-based.
First introduced over 25 years ago, L’Occitane’s hand lotion has become a beauty staple. Formulated with shea butter for a nourishing balm-like feel, it’s ideal for smoothing even the roughest spots.
LAB RESULTS The aluminum tube is what sets this apart from the competition. Unlike traditional plastic tubes, which will likely end up in landfills, this is fully recyclable. Squeeze from the bottom to get every last drop of product.
Formulated with the uplifting scents of rosemary and mint, Aveda’s shampoo-and-conditioner pair cleanses and lightly conditions.
LAB RESULTS Our experts appreciated that the bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic and doesn’t have secondary packaging, which earned it top points. We also like that you can recycle the press-caps at the curb and that the design lets it dispense the right amount of product so you won’t use too much (and possibly waste some).
If you want a chic fragrance that can do double duty, Michelle Pfeiffer’s new unisex line, Henry Rose, is it.
LAB RESULTS This got top points for materials — the bottles are recycled glass, and the plastic caps are made from soy, a renewable plant-based source, rather than petroleum. We also like how transparent the brand is about the five scents’ ingredients, a rarity in the fragrance world. It has earned certifications from the Environmental Working Group and Cradle to Cradle too.
Best Home Care & Toys Sustainable Packaging
Brandless’s cleaning product is a mix-it-yourself system we can get behind. The starter kit comes with an empty spray bottle and cleaning pack — you add water and shake. It cut through grease and grime well in our tests.
LAB RESULTS We love that the design encourages you to reuse the bottle (buy refill packs when you run low), and since you add the water, shipping emissions are reduced. The line also has other cleaners like a multi-surface one.
Showing that you don’t have to choose between performance and sustainability, Seventh Generation’s dish liquid wowed our environmental experts and our cleaning pros. The dye-free formula washed the most dishes of any plant-based soap in Cleaning Lab evaluations.
LAB RESULTS Our judging panel liked that the packaging, from the cap to the bottle, is made entirely from recycled plastic. Most of the green cap used to be clothes hangers!
This laundry detergent from Seventh Generation proves that good things can come in small(er) packages — it packs enough to clean 66 loads into a concentrated 23-oz bottle. In Lab tests, it performed well even in cold water.
LAB RESULTS Our experts appreciate the recycled bottle’s EasyDose system, which eliminates the traditional heavy cap of other options (while still dispensing an exact measured amount).
Kids will have great fun playing with the Green Toys fire truck, and they won’t have any idea that it’s made entirely from recycled plastic milk containers. Pick classic red or bright pink.
LAB RESULTS We were impressed by how simply this toy was packaged — no wrappers or tricky twist ties to fumble with (parents, rejoice!). Its box is made from recycled cardboard and printed with soy-based ink, unlike the typical rainbow-bright labeling that’s on many other toys.
Honorable Mentions
These products deserve a special shout-out for packaging innovations that move the sustainability dial in the right direction.
We hope other brands take inspiration from Bulldog’s simple packaging. Instead of petroleum-based plastic, the tube is made with a type derived from Brazilian sugarcane. The cream is targeted to men, but our pros think everyone can use it!
Our sustainability experts loved Sand Cloud’s smart aluminum packaging (we wish more brands would use the material!). It’s fully recyclable at the curb and has no secondary packaging — almost unheard of in the skincare industry.
There’s a reason Burt’s Bees beeswax formula has been a cult fave since its 1991 launch. We like that once you’re ready for a new tube, you can recycle the old one (already made of 50% recycled plastic) by requesting a prepaid label for the brand’s take-back program with TerraCycle.
Stay fresh with Eir NYC’s minimalist “natural” deodorant. Our judges appreciated its simple biodegradable paper packaging. Testers needed a little practice with the push-up design, but they said they got good odor protection.
From your hands to your pets’ paws, use Follain’s liquid soap on nearly everything. When you run low, bring the glass bottle to a retailer for a refill. Downside: Locations are limited to stores in MD, MA, NY, TX and WA.
Love Home and Planet’s dish soap comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles and has a unique label that comes off extra-easily during the recycling process. It cleaned well in Lab tests.
Tide detergents always ace GH tests, and this pick pairs proven power with an innovative design. The unique container uses less plastic than a regular bottle and minimizes shipping weight.
Nicole Saporita was an editor and writer at Good Housekeeping from 2014 to 2020, where she researched, wrote and reported original content for the Good Housekeeping Institute and several other departments, including health, travel and family.
