Can Flushable Packaging Fix Plastic Waste?

SmartSolve’s flushable PureNil 0 film blends plant-based design with industrial ease, hastening the U.S. shift from plastic

5 Nov 2025

A quiet shift is taking root in America’s packaging industry. In October 2025 SmartSolve launched PureNil 0, a fully plant-based, flushable film that offers food brands a practical alternative to plastic. The material is designed to fit into existing manufacturing systems, an achievement that has long eluded other “green” options.

PureNil 0’s appeal lies in its mix of sustainability and efficiency. Made entirely from renewable feedstocks, it can be printed, sealed and shaped using current equipment, avoiding the costly refits that have slowed adoption of other eco-materials. It also decomposes safely, leaving no trace of microplastic. That makes it compliant with tightening state packaging laws and new producer responsibility schemes across America.

“For years, going green meant trade-offs, higher costs, shorter shelf life, or reduced performance,” said one industry analyst. “This could change that equation entirely.” Analysts expect demand to rise as firms seek materials that meet both environmental and regulatory demands without hurting margins.

The launch fits into a broader movement toward fibre-based and recyclable mono-materials, led by firms such as Ahlstrom and Seaman Paper. Competition now centres less on who can make packaging lighter or cheaper, and more on who can make it cleaner without disrupting supply chains.

Yet challenges endure. Infrastructure for composting and waste separation varies by state. Flushable materials risk confusion among consumers, who may not know whether a product belongs in a bin, toilet or compost heap. For PureNil 0 to succeed, local authorities and brands will need to coordinate better guidance and processing systems.

Even so, SmartSolve’s entry signals that the era of experimental eco-packaging is ending. The technology now appears mature enough to move from pilot projects to supermarket shelves. As pressure mounts to curb plastic waste, PureNil 0 offers an early glimpse of a market where responsibility, not just convenience, shapes design.