Sustainable Packaging Solution For A Beautiful World

Written by Robin Brown on August 5, 2022
You must be aware of the fact that mother earth is dying. Dying of our carelessness. Where ever you go, you will face pollution and pollution. From congested areas to high-level societies, pollution is in a different form.

One of the primary pollution sources we have to fight is plastics. And plastic is the result of our packaging industry. Plastic pollution makes our life measurable in every nook and corner of the world. Soil is getting polluted sea is getting polluted. So, it is our duty as mother nature's children to take care of her.

But it is impossible to lead our lives in this modern world without packaging. So, some of us think pollution is inevitable.

But it is not! Because today we are going to talk about the packaging solution that will take care of our packaging and mother earth. We call it "sustainable packaging."

What is Sustainable Packaging?

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The development and use of packaging that improves sustainability are called sustainable packaging. This entails more critical use of life cycle inventory and life cycle assessment to guide the use of packaging with a lower environmental impact and ecological footprint. It examines the entire supply chain, from essential function to marketing to end of life and rebirth. A cost-to-value ratio for the environment is also helpful.

The objectives are to improve human long-term viability and quality of life and the longevity of natural ecosystems. Sustainable packaging must meet today's functional and economical needs without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet their own.

Sustainable packaging is a comparatively new addition to environmental packaging considerations. More analysis and documentation are required to examine the package design, material selection, processing, and life cycle. This is not the hazy "green movement" that many businesses and corporations have attempted to incorporate in recent years. Companies that take environmentally friendly actions reduce their carbon footprint by using more recycled materials and reusing more package components. They frequently encourage their suppliers, contract packagers, and distributors to do the same.

Package environmental marketing claims should be made with caution. Ambiguous greenwashing titles like green packaging and environmentally friendly can be confusing without a specific definition. Some regulators, such as the United States Federal Trade Commission, advise packagers.

Companies have long reused and recycled packaging when it is economically feasible. Using as little packaging as possible has also been a common goal to help reduce costs. These efforts have been accelerated in recent years due to social movements, consumer pressure, and regulation. Packaging, distribution, and logistics are all covered.

Sustainable packaging is more than just recycling. Packaging is not the only eco target, though it is still on many people's minds. Whether right or wrong, the packaging is frequently scrutinized and used to measure a company's overall sustainability, even though it may contribute only a small percentage to the total eco-impact when compared to other factors such as transportation, water, and energy use.

Why do we need sustainable packaging?

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We answer this question with one phrase "To save mother nature." I have discussed some reasons below that may make you want to shift your business from plastic packaging to sustainable packaging.
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Throughout its life cycle, sustainable packaging is beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities.
It meets market performance and cost criteria.
Renewable energy was used to source, manufacture, transport, and recycle.
It Increases the use of renewable or recycled materials.
It is produced using clean manufacturing technologies and best practices.
It is constructed from materials that are non-toxic throughout their life cycle.
It is intended to maximize materials and energy.
Closed-loop biological and industrial cycles are effectively recovered and utilized.

How can sustainable packaging boost your business?

Maybe you are not as nature lover as I am. Maybe you are a pure breed businessman who wants good for your business.

Can I tell you a secret?

Sustainable packaging boosts your business too. Let's talk about how your business can boom with sustainable packaging.

● Light in weight
Environmentally friendly and sustainable products are packaged in lighter materials, saving shipping money. Because of their
material design and weight, you not only save the environment, but you also save your company money on logistics.
Furthermore, your customers will value your products more if they are lightweight due to lighter packaging materials.

● Biodegradable Packaging Materials
Sustainable packaging materials are entirely made of biodegradable materials, which contributes to their low environmental impact. Packaging made of traditional materials requires more energy to dispose of than packaging made of sustainable materials. Manufacturing companies can reduce their financial burden by producing easily disposable materials that do not require much maintenance.
Because green packaging is biodegradable, here are the three Rs to consider when selecting appropriate packaging.

● Reduce
Thinner, more rigid, and more durable materials can accomplish more with fewer materials than thicker ones. When you reduce your use of packaging, you have a lower environmental impact.

● Reuse
After your products are delivered to your customers, they may be able to reuse the packaging for other purposes. I once saw my wife buying completely unnecessary things just for the package.

● Recycle
When your packaging is discarded, businesses can easily recycle or reuse it to create new products or packaging material. Many businesses are leading the charge on recycling these days, and you may want to join them.
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Peoples Appeal for Sustainable Packaging

According to Trivium Packaging's 2021 Global Buying Green Report, two-thirds (67%) of consumers consider it essential that the products they buy come in recyclable packaging, and the same percentage consider themselves environmentally conscious — the same share as before the pandemic. The report is based on a survey of 15,000 consumers in Europe, North America, and South America conducted by Boston Consulting Group.

When choosing a product, more than half (54 percent) consider sustainable packaging. Younger consumers — those aged 44 and under — are leading the charge, with 83 percent willing to pay more for it, compared to 70 percent of all consumers. However, the pandemic has caused approximately one-third of consumers to downgrade their importance of sustainable packaging.

Materials used for sustainable packaging

Let's get down to some nerdy stuff. We will talk about the materials used for sustainable packaging. I have given a complete list of packaging materials you might want to use for your company.

● Corrugated cardboard packaging

Corrugated packaging comprises box fibers derived primarily from trees and old corrugated containers. Corrugated.org claims they can be reused 7 to 10 times to create new packaging materials. Furthermore,
"Corrugated packaging is recovered for recycling at a higher rate than any other packaging material."
Corrugated packaging is standard in the industry, with many online merchants using it to package and ship their products.
Everyday Wine, for example, uses corrugated boxes for its wine bottles.

● Glassine

Glassine, a smooth and glossy paper, could be a good option if you need to use transparent paper packaging. Glassine is made from wood pulp, which makes it recyclable and biodegradable. It also has a pH of neutral and is acid-free.
The Belle Candle Company wraps its luxury candles in glassine before shipping them to customers.

● Cellulose packaging

Natural materials such as hemp, wood, and cotton make cellulose packaging. The material is biodegradable and compostable, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
Because of its moisture-resistant properties, cellulose packaging is preferred by food brands in particular.
You can see it at the Kitwe Food & Farmers Market, where vendors selling microgreens package their products with cellulose film.

● Cornstarch
Cornstarch packaging refers to materials that are made of, you guessed it, cornstarch. It is biodegradable and sustainable because it is derived from renewable sources and does not contain harmful toxins.

Cornstarch can also be used to make biodegradable packing peanuts, an excellent substitute for bubble wrap and styrofoam.

● Mushroom packaging

Mushroom packaging is another popular alternative to styrofoam. It is made from mycelium, a fungus found in mushrooms. The result is a robust packaging material that can keep products in place.
Keep, a candle subscription service, uses mushroom packaging when shipping products. According to their team, the material's durable and lightweight properties allow them to ship items safely while remaining environmentally friendly.

● Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is made from wood pulp. Unlike regular paper, kraft materials use all types of wood, including resinous pine, which is generally left out of regular paper products. Almost all of the chemicals used to make kraft paper can be reused, making the manufacturing process more environmentally friendly.
● Green Cell foam
Green Cell Foam is a bio-based foam material from corn grown in the United States. It can be disposed of by dissolving it in water or composting it at home or industrial facilities.

As the name implies, Green Cell Foam functions similarly to foam, making it ideal for brands that require cushioning materials when shipping products.

How do you choose your sustainable packaging?

It would help if you chose to ask some basic questions before choosing your packaging materials.

1. How much weight do you want to carry?

2. Is your product reactive with the packaging material?

3. Is your product compatible with the packaging material?

4. Does it cost you more or less?

5. Which one do you desire, money or quality?

These fundamental questions will take you to the next step, which one to choose. And it would help if you choose accordingly.

My suggestion

After ten years of my life in the packaging industry, I realized one thing. You must prioritize quality above all else. Anything you choose must have a good quality that perfectly suits you. If you are confused about choosing which company you should go after, there is a list of thousands of companies.
But to my own experience, I have never seen any company that might outrank PKGMAKER.
PKGMAKER is a fantastic flexible packaging company with the best team members. Once you order something, the whole team gets on the job to get you the best packaging solution possible.
As you are reading this, I believe you are into sustainable packaging. And package maker is the best supplier of sustainable packaging material globally.
So take your phone and contact PKGMAKER now for an experience of a lifetime.
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Article written by Carl Phillips

Carl Phillips is part of the content team at Pkgmaker where he develops resources to help customers start and grow their own businesses.

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