Plastic-Free Packaging: The Wins and the Realities for Small Businesses

Going plastic-free is no longer a fringe ideal—it’s a growing expectation. Consumers are rightly seeking alternatives to excessive plastic, and for businesses like ours, the shift toward more sustainable packaging feels like the right thing to do. But behind every cardboard box, glass jar, or paper wrap lies a careful balance of intention, cost, and compromise.

As a small business, we’re proud of what we’ve already changed. We use glass and metal over plastic wherever we can, and we choose paper over plastic when wrapping orders whenever we can. Our parcels are cushioned with biodegradable, starch-based packing peanuts instead of synthetic fillers, and we most of these come from packaging material in orders sent to us that we use reuse and recycle wherever possible. These choices reflect our values—reducing unnecessary waste and avoiding single-use plastics that linger in the environment.

We also use glass jars that can be washed and reused—for refills, spice storage, pantry items, or anything else you can imagine. It’s packaging that’s made to be repurposed, not thrown away.

But like many small businesses, we face limits.

Some ingredients and containers still arrive to us in plastic-lined or PET packaging, because our suppliers don’t always offer alternatives—especially in the smaller quantities we’re able to order. Many sustainable packaging solutions require large minimum orders that are out of reach for a small business. And glass, while beautiful and recyclable, is fragile and expensive to ship, requiring extra care and protection.

Despite these challenges, we keep learning and adapting.

We review our materials regularly. We ask more from our suppliers. We make considered choices that prioritise long-term sustainability, even when they cost more or take extra time. And we’re deeply grateful for the customers who understand that plastic-free progress isn’t always possible in the short term—but it is meaningful.

As a small, family-owned business, we’re not perfect. But we are trying—every day, with every order, one refillable jar and one compostable wrap at a time. And we believe that effort counts.