Originally posted in crunchbase news

Plastic packaging is awfully convenient for consumers. But as most of us are guiltily aware, that convenience is taking a toll on the planet.

You’ve probably heard some of these stats, but let’s dwell on a few. About 8 percent of the world’s oil production is used to make plastic. Of that, about 40 percent turns into disposable packaging. Of that, some 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year.

It’s enough to make the author of a piece on sustainable packaging feel downright consumed with self-loathing for just downing a plastic bottle of water and a plastic-wrapped cookie. But we’re here to talk about startups.

Fortunately, while some writers aren’t doing their part, startups have been quite busy developing alternatives to plastic packaging and other environmentally damaging materials. Investors have been writing them some big checks as well.

A Crunchbase survey of funded companies in the sustainable packaging and materials space unearthed more than 20 (see list) that have raised significant funding in the past three years.  Collectively, they’ve raised more than $850 million, with most of the money coming in the past couple of years.

This is no paltry sum, so we thought it’d be instructive to take a look at where the money’s going, and what it might signify for the future of disposables.

Top Funding Recipients

There are at least seven recently-funded startups in the eco-packing space that have individually raised $20 million or more, per Crunchbase data. We chart out the top funding recipients below.

Continue read in crunchbase news