Many elements of the environmental movement are finding their way into packaging, including lowering materials, minimising plastic, and supporting other green projects. Businesses across all industries, from food and beverage to cosmetics and beyond, are moving toward sustainability.
As the consumer's first actual interaction with a product, packaging frequently leaves a lasting impression. Implementing sustainable packaging is therefore about more than just being environmentally conscious. By appealing to the expanding market of environmentally conscious consumers, it can also assist in differentiating your business from competitors.
What Is Sustainable Packaging?
Simply said, environmentally friendly packaging uses materials throughout the production and disposal processes. It takes into account both the energy used to create them as well as what happens to those components when they are used and discarded. People can more easily recover, reuse, and recycle the covers and wrappings securing their preferred products thanks to sustainable packaging.
Depending on the objectives of your business, sustainability means using more biodegradable materials, less plastic, and other wasteful components—like using less wood to make your paper and cardboard packaging, for example.
Sustainable packaging has a number of noteworthy benefits.
Implements Right-Size Packaging
When a product doesn't fit properly in its carton or if there is too much packaging, consumers can usually tell very quickly. It doesn't look good on a brand, especially in the eyes of clients who care about the environment. One method to be more environmentally friendly is to use fewer packaging materials, which also saves money on printing and storage. Finding the ideal container size may require some trial and error, but the cost savings on each product transported make it worthwhile.
Notably, retail shippers modified their pricing practices in 2015 to charge based on the size or weight of parcels. This made it necessary for businesses to reconsider their packaging. They were essentially paying more to ship their products by air because their cartons and crates had more room.
Even if switching to more sustainable packaging for all of your products is now impractical for your business, using lighter materials is the best practise for sustainability. Weight reduction lowers the cost of transportation. Just make sure the items you choose offer enough protection and continue to be tough enough to handle shipping and storage.
Limits Your Carbon Footprint
Any company that wants to have a positive social impact should be especially concerned about human-caused climate change. That necessitates being aware of your emissions of greenhouse gases.
Any stage of the manufacturing or packaging process might result in the release of carbon dioxide. Therefore, you should think again about the energy sources used to produce your packaging materials and the way you distribute your goods in addition to reducing the use of petroleum-based items.
Consumption of paper-based products, assuming they are responsibly maintained, also promotes regeneration and provides incentives for landowners to maintain their properties' forests. Because trees naturally store carbon, fewer greenhouse gases are released into the environment. Look for certifications from the non-profit Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification to make sure items are produced sustainably (PEFC).
Reduces the Amount of Plastic in the World
Even though most plastics are recyclable, an astonishing quantity still ends up in landfills or our oceans. Utilizing post-consumer plastics helps others become more environmentally aware and helps to stop further pollution. In addition, it is less expensive than virgin polymers, according to a 2017 BBC story.
Customers will be reassured that the materials protecting your items also come from a renewable resource if you choose alternatives like paperboard or sugarcane board for your packaging materials. Additionally, it costs extra to dispose of items that don't respect the environment.
Sustainable Alternatives Have Few Allergens & Toxins
According to a research published in Current Environmental Health Reports in 2015, phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), two chemicals used in plastic packaging, may cause allergic reactions in people. As an alternative, biodegradable materials frequently lack poisonous substances and other dangerous components.
By avoiding potentially dangerous components in your packaging, you're giving your C-suite one less thing to worry about at night. Eco-friendly elements also demonstrate to customers that you care about their health and safety by assuaging their growing concerns about the effects of petroleum-based products, including the presence of microplastics in our food.
Builds Brand Affinity With Eco-friendly Consumers
Customers and prospects notice your dedication to sustainability. According to a 2020 article in Environment + Energy Leader, 75% of consumers are prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging.
Brands that are associated with people's values are preferred above those that are not. In addition to seeing this as a question of personal integrity, people also want their buying choices to encourage their friends and loved ones to make changes.
Finding an inexpensive product that doesn't harm the environment might be challenging for consumers. The use of more environmentally friendly packaging by your business facilitates consumer decision-making.
By using eco-friendly packaging, you can lower your carbon footprint, lessen the amount of plastic in the world, increase your revenue streams, and build your brand as a forward-thinking organisation that can make a difference in your markets and the wider globe.
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