Climate change and global warming are pushing the need for sustainable Packaging. Whether a business is earth-conscious or not, they want to switch to Packaging that is recyclable and sustainable. Consumer demand, too, influences a company’s packaging decisions. According to the Global Buying Green Report, 74% of consumers said they would be interested in buying products that come in refillable Packaging. Also, many consumers now base their purchase decisions on the package’s sustainability credentials.
Keeping this in mind, there is an urgent need for businesses across the globe to switch to sustainable Packaging.
Caption – Leading coffee brands choose Kraft paper and 100% compostable packaging.
What is Sustainable Packaging?
As the name implies, sustainable Packaging has the most negligible impact on the natural environment. They also have the least pollutants in manufacturing, production, shipping and recycling. However, sustainable and eco-friendly Packaging is different. When you say a package is sustainable, it should also be recyclable, compostable and reusable. Today, it has become the foremost choice of businesses as it significantly reduces our ecological footprint.
How to make your Packaging more Sustainable?
Sustainable packaging companies across the globe are coming up with new ways to make packaging more sustainable. If you want your product packaging to be more sustainable, here are a few strategies you can try:
- Use smaller boxes, bags or containers for your products.
- Consider using recycled packaging materials. Paperboard cardboard is a popular example of recycled Packaging.
- Switch to plant-based Packaging (materials made out of biological sources).
- Design the Packaging for reuse. This is one way of stopping it from ending up in landfill. A lot of brands are showing their customers ways in which they can convert a package into a keepsake.
- Try renewable materials such as bioplastics, as this will considerably reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Make sure your manufacturing partners follow sustainable practices too. Minimizing the use of water and electricity and optimizing machines can further make Packaging more sustainable.
Benefits of Using Sustainable Packaging
Now that you know what sustainable Packaging is, let us understand the importance of sustainable Packaging:
- Increases Brand Loyalty
When you make sustainable packaging choices, your brand loyalty increases as a business. A lot of consumers care about the impact they have on the environment. This thought process directly relates to the products they choose to buy. If your company moves to earth-friendly Packaging, more people will want to buy from you.
- More Storage & Space
As an enterprise, when you get more efficient with your Packaging, you will realize that you end up with more space. This also includes the space required for transport. Along with this, your freight costs also reduce. In the long run, this will save you more money.
- Free of Allergens & Toxins
Biodegradable Packaging is usually non-toxic and allergy free. Consumers today care a lot about their health and well-being. Therefore, choosing a material that is free of toxins is always better. Make sure you mention the sustainability initiatives your company is taking on the package, as this incentivizes more consumers to buy your product.
Industries That Use Sustainable Packaging
Today, sustainable and custom product packaging is gaining momentum faster than ever. Keeping this in mind, it has expanded across many different industries. It is a good thing that the “going green” mentality is growing. Some of the industries that use sustainable Packaging include:
- Food & Beverage: Since the food and beverage industry is one of the largest industries, it is no surprise that they use sustainable Packaging the most. Manufacturers constantly look for packaging material with a high environmental and business value. Plant-based Packaging and edible Packaging are something the F&B segment can try out. However, the material used must retain the freshness of the food.
- Fashion: One industry that urgently needs to switch to sustainable Packaging is the retail and fashion industry. Owing to the boom in online shopping, there is a lot of wasted packaging material. Large cartons are used to ship even the smallest of products. In this bargain, there is a tremendous amount of waste generated.
- Beauty & Personal Care: Healthy beauty and personal care brands are not just moving to greener formulations for their products but are also choosing eco-friendly Packaging. Biodegradable plastics and recycled materials is something this industry can try out. Other alternate materials include bamboo, glass, silicone, paperboard and seaweed.
- Medical: The pharma and healthcare industry is another sector that generates tremendous amounts of waste as far as Packaging is concerned. Thus, they are also looking at using biodegradable materials that have a minimal impact on the planet.
Caption – Packages with this sign indicate it is recyclable.
Sustainable Packaging Certifications and Labels
When shopping, consumers often look for product labels that identify sustainable Packaging. As an organization, you must put the right certifications and labels on the Packaging to adhere to your standards. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Recycling symbol
- FSC Certification
- GreenBlue Recycled Material Standard (RMS)
- International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)
- New Earth Approved
- PAP 20
- RESY
- USDA BioPreferred
We hope our guide on sustainable Packaging will be helpful for your business. In today’s day and age, switching to earth-conscious Packaging is the secret to attracting customers.