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Increased efforts in implementing green initiatives all around the world have been growing at an exponential rate, and there’s no sign of stopping any time soon.
Sustainable initiatives have improved and developed over the years.
Now it is a standard in our culture, affecting consumer spending habits and decisions.
Sustainable packaging is on the rise.
Now is the time for you to join the movement.
Consumers today are all about sustainability.
They are making conscious decisions and are willing to pay a premium for green products.
New packaging trends are on the rise, and companies of all sizes need to be aware of it in today’s market.
With visible changes to our environment, it is now more important than ever to understand sustainability.
So what does this mean for your company, your packaging manufacturer and supplier?
What is Sustainable Packaging?
One of the first impressions that consumers will have of your company is your packaging.
Packaging can be the perfect way to deliver your company’s message to the consumer.
An appealing design can attract attention and make the unboxing experience more exciting.
But there is so much more than that.
In today’s marketplace, consumers want transparency.
Customers want to know exactly where your company is producing its packaging.
Will the material make a negative impact on the environment?
Was the material sourced ethically?
Was the process used to print the packaging, sustainable?
The process and materials used for your packaging is an essential factor and can affect your consumer’s impression.
It is as crucial to be sustainable as having a great design.
The packaging must be recyclable.
Whether recycling at home or the local depot, the process of recycling must be accessible and efficient.
The key to sustainable packaging is that it needs to have a low impact on our environment.
Elements of Sustainable Packaging
Kraft
Kraft paper is 100% sustainable, and among one of the most popular packaging materials in the world.
It is much more sustainable to manufacture kraft paper compared to regular paper.
Kraft is produced from all-natural ingredients such as pulp from all types of wood, while conventional paper uses specific woods.
Bleaching is also not involved, which maintains the strength of the paper and decreases manufacturing costs.
Kraft paper is also a lightweight packaging material that helps keep a low shipping cost.
Molded Pulp
This material is no stranger to sustainable packaging.
A growing sustainability trend of large and small brands alike are opting to use molded pulp more often than other packaging options.
Created with paper fibers, either virgin or recycled, molded pulp is one of the most sustainable packaging options on the market right now.
It is very common to find electronics and home appliance companies use molded pulp inserts.
Protective and thermoforming capabilities of this material allow for more packaging options.
This is perfect for products that come in any shape or size.
This report from Apple shows that they’ve increased the use of recycled fibers by 30%.
This reduced the amount of plastic in their packaging for the iPhone.
Foams
A considerable part of the packaging industry is the use of foams.
Packaging foams are material used in different levels of the industry.
It is used as a duo-purpose protective layer, as well as to organize small products to provide an excellent presentation.
But, foams were not always the most environmentally friendly.
As the subject of sustainable packaging continues to rise, biodegradable and paper foam alternatives have been developed to replace this material.
Since the market for sustainability is growing, it is beneficial for smaller companies to ride the momentum.
Plastics
When talking about packaging, it’s hard to ignore plastics.
It is an even more controversial subject when talking about sustainable packaging.
According to the British Plastics Federation, plastics make a positive contribution to the three pillars of sustainability.
Plastics have provided excellent benefits in packaging.
It is lightweight, resourceful, and energy-efficient, and offers outstanding durability in comparison to paper options.
As a result, using plastic as a packaging material can actually reduce waste and save energy.
As a material that continually finds its way into the packaging industry, plastic trays inserts or blister packs are often used in product packaging.
Plastic is easy to mold with heat, and most are recyclable.
Many companies today incentivize their customers to return plastic product containers to retail locations so that the companies can grind, reform, and reuse the plastic into new product containers.
Although plastics may be a viable packaging option, the goal remains the same: to cut the use of plastics completely.
Governments around the world have taken action to ban or discourage single-use plastics.
Over the last decade, too much plastic waste has found its way into the ocean, affecting wildlife and destroying ecosystems.
As of May 2019, the United Nations Environmental Programme has confirmed 100 million tons of plastic waste found in the ocean.
80-90% had come from land-based sources.
When we do use plastics, we need to make sure that it is actively being reused and recycled.
Inks
The use of sustainable inks is a rising trend.
These inks will no longer need heavy metals like lead and mercury.
The most significant difference is the reduction or complete removal of volatile organic compounds.
These compounds produce gases that are hazardous to both the environment and human health.
Although energy-saving initiatives are in place, biodegradable inks have been the most impactful.
These inks use organic vegetable oils.
The result is a reduced impact on the environment and allows lower energy consumption during the recycling process.
Sourcing and Production
Not only should the materials be sustainable, but we should also consider how it’s sourced.
Energy efficiency and the process throughout the production are also critical considerations.
PakFactory’s partnership with the National Forest Foundation is an effort to help replenish trees lost from overconsumption and natural causes.
Paper is such a fundamental material in packaging.
We can maintain a valuable source of raw material used in all industries by keeping low to a moderate consumption rate, and by using a replenish-able source.
Tree farms are a sustainable solution where trees are privately managed and maintained.
These farms provide an almost limitless amount of resources to produce paper products.
Production will need to involve energy-saving solutions to cut the impact on the environment.
Minimal Design
For your packaging to be sustainable, you also need to consider the design as well.
Consider using minimal materials for the structure.
Optimize your packaging with a specialist to reduce the weight.
At the same time, maintain structural integrity to endure any rough handling during the shipment process.
Choose your materials wisely to keep the focus on reducing your environmental footprint.
What are the consumers thinking?
Sustainability is affecting governments and businesses all around the world.
Consumers are contributing to this massive trend by becoming more aware of the impact that products have on the environment.
Companies may not change, but the demand for green products and sustainable business practices is growing.
Businesses cannot afford to ignore these insights.
The Brandless Era
Consumers are no longer brand-oriented, either.
Customers now gravitate towards smaller brands and businesses.
The reason for this is that these smaller businesses can meet their needs for sustainability.
In today’s market, smaller brands have higher potential and more opportunity to stand-out.
When we compare regular products against products made with sustainable practices and materials, the cost is usually the most obvious comparison.
Yet, as consumers adopt the Healthy for Me, Healthy for the World trend, businesses discover that price is not an issue.
Even with inflation, consumers are willing to make the right purchasing decisions by opting for green products and supporting sustainable brands.
A study done by Nielsen shows that 49% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality products with visible and existing safety standards.
This includes organics, free of antibiotics, hormone-free, and GMO-free.
Sustainability has become an enormous issue over the last decade.
Businesses all over have become more environmentally aware.
Consumer influence is one of the most substantial driving factors for businesses.
This is affecting the market more than we may think.
Companies are taking action and acknowledge their responsibility to pursue sustainable business practices.
Professionals and more business owners have emerged as thought leaders on this topic, contributing to an environmental cause.
Overall adopting a sustainable packaging strategy is not only beneficial to the environment, but to businesses too.
Businesses are able to connect with consumers on a deeper level and work with a purpose driven mindset.
PakFactory work with businesses to bring your marketing goals and initiatives to life through packaging.