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Sustainable packaging and eco-conscious branding are no longer niche ideas. They have become central strategies for modern businesses, particularly for those aiming to differentiate themselves through values and purpose. Today, both consumers and business partners expect brands to demonstrate environmental responsibility in tangible ways and few elements are as tangible as packaging. A Practical Guide According to a recent report by McKinsey & Company, over 70% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, with 82% prioritizing recyclability as a key factor in purchase decisions. This growing demand reinforces the need for brands to embed sustainability into every aspect of their design, not only to meet expectations, but to build trust and future-proof their offer. This guide explores how sustainable packaging can be a powerful ally in building an authentic brand. From ecodesign principles and material innovation to brand communication and implementation steps, here’s how to turn packaging into a strategic asset for environmental and business impact. Ecodesign and Life Cycle Thinking Ecodesign is the practice of integrating environmental considerations into the earliest stages of product and packaging development. Instead of treating sustainability as an afterthought, ecodesign aims to prevent negative impact right from the start. According to the European Commission, up to 80% of a product’s environmental footprint is determined at the design stage. This includes everything from material selection and structural layout to how easily the product can be reused, recycled or disassembled. A life cycle approach is essential: each stage (from raw material extraction and production to distribution, use, and end-of-life) holds opportunities to reduce impact. For packaging, this might mean designing formats that eliminate excess material, choosing mono-materials that simplify recycling, or enabling reuse through refill systems. Sustainable Materials: From Classic to Cutting-Edge Material selection is one of the most significant decisions in packaging design. Fortunately, the range of sustainable alternatives is growing — balancing performance, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility. Transitioning to sustainable packaging, when done strategically, delivers benefits far beyond compliance or aesthetics. It helps brands reduce environmental impact, strengthen customer relationships, and differentiate themselves in increasingly saturated markets. Let’s rethink packaging — strategically. Contact us at hello@matterstoyoustudio.com to schedule a consultation.

Holding Your Essence In today’s competitive marketplace, your packaging is far more than a container. Much like a sacred space that embodies identity and values, packaging holds your essence, protects your value, and speaks before you do. Here’s why treating design as your “temple” is critical for building trust, driving sales, and championing sustainability. Every brand is defined by its mission, values, and personality. Packaging is where these intangible qualities become tangible. From color palette to typography, the materials you choose to wrap your product are the walls, pillars, and altar of your brand’s temple. Visual Identity: A consistent logo, color scheme, and graphic language create an immediate connection with consumers. Tactile Experience: Premium paper, soft-touch coatings, or embossed details invite physical interaction, reinforcing perceived quality and care enhancing customer experience. Protecting Your Value Just as a temple safeguards priceless artifacts, strategic packaging protects both your product and your brand reputation. Speaking Before You Do In a crowded aisle or online thumbnail gallery, packaging often makes the very first impression. It must communicate your story faster and more powerfully than words alone. Temples aren’t one-time destinations, they inspire rituals and repeat visits. Likewise, packaging should encourage continued engagement and brand advocacy. As consumer expectations evolve and regulations tighten, the packaging temple of tomorrow must be adaptable, transparent, and purposeful. Brands that embed sustainability, data-driven insights, and cross-functional collaboration into their design process will thrive. When you treat packaging as your brand’s temple, you elevate every aspect of the customer journey—from discovery to disposal. By holding your essence, protecting your value, and speaking before you do, your design becomes a powerful force for differentiation, trust, and long-term loyalty. Ready to build your brand temple? At MTYS Studio, we specialize in branding and sustainable packaging design that balances aesthetics, functionality, and compliance.  Let us help you craft your next launch. Contact us at hello@matterstoyoustudio.com to schedule a consultation.

Sustainable Packaging Design In today’s market, packaging sits at the nexus of consumer expectation, regulatory pressure, and environmental responsibility. By the time packaging reaches the final check, it’s already too late. Real impact begins when sustainability is woven into every stage of design, from concept to sourcing to shelf to recycling bin. Anticipate the Full Lifecycle True sustainable design demands a cradle-to-grave mindset. Before a single mockup is sketched, designers and strategists must map out: By embedding these questions up front, brands transform packaging into a structural sustainability tool, rather than a final accessory. Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration A sustainable package cannot be designed in isolation. Marketing, logistics, procurement, R&D, and sustainability teams must unite around shared objectives. When every department speaks the same language of circularity, packaging becomes a competitive advantage driving cost savings, consumer loyalty, and regulatory compliance. Sustainable packaging design is integral to brand credibility and long-term growth. At MTYS, we guide clients embedding environmental responsibility into the DNA of every package. By starting with the entire lifecycle, choosing smart materials, designing for impact, and uniting cross-functional teams, your packaging can do more than protect it can pioneer a new standard of positive impact. Let’s rethink packaging — strategically. Contact us at hello@matterstoyoustudio.com to schedule a consultation.

How cosmetics companies can adapt to the EU’s new packaging rules through our 360° Sustainable Packaging approach The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a strategic wake-up call for the industries. For companies committed to future-proofing their packaging, this is the moment to shift from fragmented compliance efforts to a holistic, cross-functional strategy. In this article, we explore how the PPWR will reshape packaging in the cosmetics sector, impacting departments from sustainability and procurement to brand and export. We also share how MTYS’s 360° Sustainable Packaging Consulting approach helps companies go beyond compliance to create business value. From Risk to Value with a 360° Approach At MTYS, we support brands in transforming regulatory pressure into a strategic differentiator. Our 360° Sustainable Packaging Consultancy includes six interconnected pillars: Let’s rethink packaging — strategically. Contact us at hello@matterstoyoustudio.com to schedule a consultation.

We’ve been shortlisted for the Pentawards 2025, one of the most prestigious awards in the design world. One of our projects is moving on to the next round of judging, and we couldn’t be more excited.Congrats to all the shortlisted projects! Let’s keep pushing design forward! Read the full article

More than ever, consumers are aligning their values with the brands they choose. In the last edition of A Matter of Change, Curated by Matters To You Studio, we explored how businesses that embed sustainability into their brand and operations are not just doing good, they are growing stronger Read the full article

Why the future belongs to brands that place sustainability at the heart of strategy? In a fast-changing world where consumers, regulators, and investors are increasingly conscious of environmental and social impact, sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s a business imperative. But some brands are going further: turning sustainability into their strongest competitive edge. 3 Ways to Turn Sustainability into Competitive Advantage: Smart & Sustainable Design Rethinking products to reduce waste, use recyclable or renewable materials, and extend lifecycle not only improves environmental performance but creates more meaningful and memorable customer experiences. Data & Impact Measurement Measuring carbon footprint, communicating transparently, and setting clear goals builds trust. Traceability and ESG reporting are no longer just checkboxes — they are storytelling tools that show progress and purpose. Purposeful Communication Brands that align their message with consumer values create deeper emotional connections. A compelling sustainability story doesn’t just differentiate — it positions the brand as a leader for change. Lead by Example In industries like beauty, fashion, and food, some brands are already seeing the benefits. Whether through reusable packaging, launching circular product lines, or working with regenerative suppliers, these companies are winning not just customers — but long-term trust and partnerships. Sustainability is the new growth strategy. And the brands that understand it early will lead the future. Design is more than aesthetics, it’s a tool for transformation. As businesses face increasing pressure to align with sustainability standards, we see a gap: many companies want to innovate but lack the resources or expertise to do so effectively. Contact us to understand how you can embed responsible practices across sourcing, operations, and communication and become more resilient, relevant, and respected.

Design is more than aesthetics—it’s a tool for transformation. As businesses face increasing pressure to align with sustainability standards, we see a gap: many companies want to innovate but lack the resources or expertise to do so effectively. This is why we are expanding our mission transforming businesses into brands with a positive impact and ensuring sustained growth in the medium and long term through new packaging solutions and through a safe sustainable transition. Why Does Sustainable Design Matter Now More Than Ever? Consumers are becoming more conscious of the brands they support, and sustainability is a key driver of purchasing decisions. In the article Nielsen What Sustainability Means Today a global survey shows that 81% of respondents said it is extremely or very important for companies to implement programs to improve the environment. When it comes to action, 73% said they would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment.  Regulations are becoming stricter, consumers are demanding accountability, and brands that fail to adapt risk losing relevance. However, transitioning to sustainable packaging and branding is more than a compliance requirement—it’s an opportunity to: How Brands Can Make the Shift The sustainable transition process needs to go through some steps starting with strategic consultancy to understand the current impact and identify improvements. Then, data-driven insights will measure the project’s environmental footprint and ROI, and design solutions and marketing strategies will give voice to sustainability goals without compromising aesthetics or performance building customer trust. Let’s talk about your brand’s sustainable future.

With a holistic approach to packaging and product development, MTYS helps brands rethink every aspect of their product life cycle—from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to sales and end-of-life management. Read the full interview

Teresa Vargas Matos, our Co-Founder and Strategy Manager, is part of the “Future Leaders class of 2025,” as identified by Paris Packaging Week. She told Premium Beauty News about her vision of the packaging business. Read the full interview