Material use and packaging waste

In the Bands vs Shrinkwrap: Why Application Matters blog, we examined how each packaging solution is applied and the operational impact of those differences. The takeaway was clear: banding provides a faster, more precise application, while shrinkwrap involves a slower, multi-step process that requires more equipment and handling.

But application is only part of the picture when evaluating packaging effectiveness.

Another equally critical factor is material usage. How much material is needed to package a product, and just as importantly, how much of that material becomes waste. From consumer goods to industrial logistics, waste is created at nearly every stage, and packaging is a major contributor. That’s why today’s packaging must be efficient, sustainable, and compliant with environmental regulations to minimize its overall impact.

So how do banding and shrinkwrap measure up when it comes to material usage and packaging waste?

Let’s take a closer look.

Full coverage vs. smart coverage

Shrinkwrap is designed to completely enclose a product in plastic. To achieve this, a substantial amount of plastic film is wrapped around the product and heated until it tightly conforms to its shape. The result is total coverage, but it comes at a cost:

• More material consumption
• Higher energy use during application
• Increased plastic waste post-use

Banding takes a different approach. Instead of fully covering a product, banding applies a sleek strip of paper or film around a small section of the product. The band is applied with optimal tension to bundle or seal products securely, ensuring the packaging seals and keeps the products together.

Less material = less waste

The more packaging material you use, the more waste you create. And in the case of shrinkwrap, once the product is opened, all that excess plastic becomes immediate waste. The material cannot be used for another purpose was removed.

This waste must be collected, sorted, and processed before it can even be considered for recycling. Because shrinkwrap fully encases each product, it creates more waste volume and places added pressure on recycling systems, especially if the plastic is printed or contaminated.

Banding reduces this burden because bands only cover a small portion of the product. This means the volume of discarded material as a result is lower. In adition, using bands leads to a more efficient disposal and recycling process.

Better compatibility with circular packaging

Material efficiency isn’t just about quantity. It’s also about recyclability.

Bands are typically made from recyclable paper or film, making them well-suited to circular packaging systems. This is especially valuable in industries aiming to meet mono-material packaging targets under new and upcoming regulations.

Furthermore, banding allows you to match the banding material with your primary packaging. For example, paper bands on cardboard trays or film bands on plastic containers. This compatibility simplifies sorting, increases recyclability, and aligns with waste reduction policies across the EU and beyond.

Shrink wrap in this regard is limited in material choice. Film, being the only option, does not always meet circular packaging systems because if wrapped around a paper product, this is not considered mono-material packaging. It, therefore, means that shrink wrap when paired with a product that is not film complicates the recycling process making it less efficient.

Efficiency redefined: Do more with less

Shrinkwrap is material-heavy, energy-intensive, and limited in functionality. The packaging solution can only seal and bundle. Anything beyond sealing and bundling, such as branding or labeling, must be added separately, requiring additional materials and production steps.

Banding can do it all in one montion. A single paper or film band can bundle, brand, label, and seal a product resulting in a leaner, more cost-effective, and future-ready solution.

Material matters more than ever

In a world where packaging regulations are tightening and environmental standards are rising, how much material you use and what you do with it matters.

Shrinkwrap may still be common, but due to its excessive material usage and single purpose role, it makes it increasingly unsustainable and ineffective.

Banding, however, uses less, wastes less, and does more while aligning with circular economy principles and upcoming legislative requirements.