Sustainable packaging: A step to minimal environmental impact

Eco-friendly initiatives have not been the most adaptive one in the past but now it’s becoming something that every company should imply in order to sustain the planet. Nowadays, in some places the government has started demanding the businesses to execute sustainable packaging services. Minimising the wastes has to be everyone’s aim in order to keep the plant safe and environmentally free.

What is sustainable packaging?

Any type of environmentally friendly material that is used to wrap, ship, deliver or store any product is known as sustainable packaging or green packaging. It is completely environmentally friendly and helps in reducing the unhealthy environmental impact on the planet. Sustainable packaging is beneficial for the companies as it helps in sustainable development and also in investing in it. It’s high time and every company should adapt using sustainable packaging. 

Sustainable packaging coalition

Here are the following 8 criterias offered by Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) that the packaging must meet in order to be considered sustainable:

1. Using the best out of recycled and renewable materials

2. Must be physically designed to make the best use of materials and energy

3. Must be healthy and safe for the community and people

4. Must be manufactured using renewable energy

5. Must be manufactured using best renewable practises and clean production technologies

6. Manufactured using healthy and renewable materials

7. Must meet the market criteria on the basis of cost and performance

8. Must be utilised in biological closed loop-cycles

Advantages of sustainable packaging

Now that we know what sustainable packaging is and criterias offered by the sustainable packaging coalition, we should now see what we will get out of it. The advantages of sustainable packaging are as follows:

● Improves brand image – A recent survey found that over 30% of the customers are willing to pay an extra amount for the sustainable packaging as it nourishes the brand’s image and portrays it as an eco-conscious brand. Flourishing your brand’s image through sustainable packaging so that you can get maximum leads and maximum revenue. 

● Eco-friendly benefits – The most obvious and common benefit of sustainable packaging is that it is environmentally friendly, made completely from recycled materials and reduces the wastes during production. The manufacturing process is very efficient and helps in diminishing the negative aftermath in the environment that is caused by the brand.

● Versatile – Sustainable packaging is completely versatile and can be used in any type of industry whether it is large-scale or small-scale industry. Any brand that uses standard packaging is eligible to go for eco-friendly packaging. Whether it is for shipping or packaging, there are numerous options from which you can choose accordingly.

● Getting ahead of the future – The government globally has started encouraging brands to adopt eco-friendly practices and providing incentives to those implementing the zero waste choices. As we know that sustainable packaging is the future for food as well as other industries, it will be a smart choice for the brands to shift to eco-friendly practices in order to contribute their part to the environment. 

Sustainable packaging strategies

Let’s take a look at the strategies that we can implement to be more eco-friendly with our packaging:

1. Share recycling practises

Firstly, educate your customers about sustainable packaging and why it’s important then tell them about the best way to recycle your packaging materials. By highlighting reusable packaging, you can mention the general practices as sometimes it can be quite difficult as recycling varies from city to city. 

2. Ship in small packages

Using small boxes, containers and bags for your products is highly sustainable and also reduces the shipping costs. The size of your shipments can be easily reduced by using fewer filler materials and small packing supplies.

3. Recycled packing materials

For extending the life of previously used materials, recycled packaging is the best option. Use containers, boxers or mailers that are made from recycled materials. Paperboard cardboard is one of the most popular types of recycled packaging, it is made from paper pulp and can be easily cut as it is very lightweight.

4. Plant-based packaging

Plant-based packaging is gaining popularity nowadays. The materials of plant-based packaging are made from biological resources which simply means materials from food waste and mushrooms. Make sure that the packing you are choosing does not affect your product.

5. Edible packaging

Edible packaging is quite similar to plant-based packaging as it is also made from biological resources, the only difference is that edible packaging makes things safe to eat. Edible packaging is a beneficial option for food companies as it serves as a great addition to delicious offerings.

6. Plantable packaging

The name plantable packaging says it all. These materials can be planted. Seeds are embedded in these packaging so that the customer can plant the package after they have used it. Plantable packaging is mostly used for storing lightweight items like jewellery, cosmetics, etc.

7. Alternatives of biodegradable plastics

Compostable packing is made of materials that can be composed conveniently. These packaging are made from plant-based polymer that can be compost easily. 

8. Avoid over packaging

This often happens that before the product reaches us, it is completely packed or bundled up using additional packaging materials. You can minimise the use of these extra materials in order to get rid of the wastes from it. You can amalgamate shipments to use fewer packaging materials in order to make the best use of your supply chain practises.

9. Choose manufacturing partners with sustainable motives

Before signing a contract with a supplier, make sure that they have sustainable motives and enquiry about their manufacturing process and practises. Ask them how they would minimise the use of carbon footprint. Before coming up with a decision, check their equipment and facilities.

Now we know why sustainable packaging is important as the priority should be to be sustainable and one can only adapt it by following a circular economy. If you wanna dig deep into it then check what is circular economy is and why do we need it?

Also, if you are a sustainable brand and also an eco-conscious person then we would love you to join our sustainable brand community. You can also collaborate and amplify your business here. By joining us, you can also be a part of a community bringing revolution to the planet.