Risk: Moderate

Starting a sustainable packaging design and supply chain optimization side hustle from scratch can involve risks in terms of potential financial losses, time investment, energy expenditure, and potential hits to confidence if results are not as expected. Beginners in this field may end up spending money on research, materials, or tools without immediate returns, especially if they lack experience or market knowledge. There are startup costs ranging from $500 to $2000 that might not pay off if the market demand is misjudged or if the business strategy is not effectively implemented. Online discussions mention instances where individuals have failed or lost money due to underestimating competition, overestimating demand, or miscalculating production costs. I'd rate the risk a 2 out of 3 because while manageable losses are possible, beginners need to be cautious and thorough in their planning to mitigate potential financial setbacks.