In the old days packaging was regarded as an easy business fact of life: product in package, seal it and dispatch it. But that attitude is changing.
Packaging has become a part of a larger conversation around waste, resources, customer expectations, and corporate responsibility today. Companies are now more aware of the impact packaging has after the product is purchased — and not only on production costs.
One of the drivers of sustainable packaging’s increased relevance is this change.
It’s not just a matter of swapping out plastic with paper or applying an “eco-friendly” stamp to a box. Real sustainable packaging involves considering all aspects of packaging from its creation to its disposal or recycling.
That means being responsible in a more hands-on manner for businesses.
So, what is sustainable packaging anyway?
Sustainable packaging is a packaging that minimizes its impact on environment and ensures that it is both protective and functional for the business.
Sustainability is not a given with any one packaging material. Rather, businesses take into account a number of things such as:
- The volume of the raw material needed
- Energy and water required during the production
- Transportation and storage needs
- Whether the packaging material is reusable and/or recyclable or not
- The amount of garbage it produces
- Determine if there is some kind of harmful substance involved or not.
- The ease of customer disposal of it
For instance, a light package might need less to be transported. There is an alternative end of life for a recyclable package. The use of reusable packaging is sometimes enough to eliminate the need for a new package.
So, sustainability is truly big picture thinking.
The growing seriousness of Packaging within Businesses
This change is motivated by a practical need. Customers notice packaging.
There is growing interest in material that is too much, plastic waste and materials that are not easily recyclable. Nobody wants to open a small product only to find that there’s a lot of packaging in there that’s unwarranted.
Businesses are reacting because packaging has the potential to either positively or negatively impact the brand’s perception amongst consumers.
However, it’s not just about consumer expectations. Moreover, companies are under increasing pressure to eliminate waste, optimize resources and have a greater awareness of the environmental impact of their business.
Packaging has become a field where relatively obvious improvements can be made in many businesses.
The Shift Toward Smarter Materials
The one of the significant changes is the increasing popularity of alternative packaging materials and designs.
There is a quest for paper-based packaging, recycled materials, compostables, reusable containers, and the recycling of more efficient forms of plastic packaging.
Another area being addressed is flexible packaging, since it can be engineered to be relatively thin, yet still offer adequate protection for the product. For companies interested in exploring this category there is more information available on Flexible Packaging and the various applications available.
The key consideration is that the material must be the product and its supply chain. A package that is successful in one application may not be suitable for another.
Common Sustainable Packaging Approaches
| Approach | Main Benefit | Business Consideration |
| Recycled materials | Reduces demand for new raw materials | Availability and quality can vary |
| Lightweight packaging | Uses fewer materials and may reduce transport weight | Must still protect the product |
| Reusable packaging | Can reduce single-use waste | Requires collection or reuse systems |
| Recyclable packaging | Offers a potential second life for materials | Local recycling infrastructure matters |
| Compostable packaging | Can provide an alternative for certain applications | Requires suitable composting conditions |
| Minimal packaging | Reduces unnecessary material use | Product protection must not be compromised |
There is no magic solution here. Good packaging decisions usually involve trade-offs.
Sustainable packaging can help to minimize waste
One of the most obvious things that businesses must do is minimize unnecessary waste.
Think of a piece that requires minimal protection, but is enclosed in a heavy-duty box of additional plastic and paper. This means that the customer receives the product and the majority of the packaging becomes instant waste.
This is a non-productive system.
Redesign packaging for better fit to product, eliminate unnecessary layers, and utilize materials with improved recovery options.
When the changes are applied to thousands or millions of products, even minor changes can have an impact.
It may seem like a small amount of food saved from one package, but every little bit helps. But those grams do add up for a large production run.
Packaging is Also an Influence on Transportation
Sustainable packaging is not just about the trash bin or recycling, it’s about the whole journey.
Packaging design can also influence the transportation.
Reducing size and weight may sometimes enable companies to load more products into trucks, containers or warehouse areas. This can enhance the effectiveness of logistics and minimize transportation resources.
This is where packaging design plays a role in a company’s broader sustainability initiative.
A company can improve the material, but it can also ask another question: Can we design the package in such a way that we don’t need as much material in the first place?
Often this is where some of the most interesting improvements start at.
Eco-friendly packaging bags and everyday business needs
Another place businesses are rethinking their traditional packaging is in the case of bags.
Bags are used for various purposes by retailers, manufacturers, food businesses and other companies, which has a significant impact on the required solution.
By making it easier for businesses to think about material usage, durability, product protection, and end-of-life together rather than separately, a well designed Sustainable Packaging Bag can help to make sustainability an integral component of the packaging strategy rather than an add-on.
The aim is not to only select the package that makes the most attractive “green” statement. Businesses must be aware how the package will be utilized.
Responsibility Goes Beyond the Package
A frequent error to make is believing that a company is sustainable because of their sustainable packaging.
It doesn’t.
Packaging is only a component of a much bigger system.
A responsible business should also take into account the source of materials, product manufacturing methods, transport to customers and what customers can do with the packaging after it has been used.
Communication is important, too.
Where packaging can only be recycled via certain facilities, this should be communicated to customers. When composting is only possible under industrial conditions this should not be cloaked in general marketing terms.
Trust is gained by honest information, not by hyperbole about the environment.
What Businesses Can Do Next
Companies don’t necessarily need to redesign every package overnight. A gradual approach can be more realistic.
Businesses can start by:
- Auditing the packaging they currently use
- Identifying unnecessary layers and materials
- Measuring packaging waste
- Comparing material options
- Working with packaging suppliers on redesigns
- Considering transportation efficiency
- Making disposal instructions easier to understand
- Testing new packaging before large-scale adoption
- Tracking whether sustainability improvements actually work
And sometimes the simplest change is the most useful one: use less packaging.
Conclusion
The challenge of sustainable packaging is altering business practice when it comes to responsibility, as it means thinking beyond the point of sale.
A product isn’t dead until it’s discarded. It enters into the waste stream, the recycling system, the reuse cycle, or landfill. This, of course, provides a business with plenty of motivation to consider its options before the product hits the shelf.
Things will always be difficult. In certain cases, sustainable materials are more expensive. The laws and regulations for recycling vary from area to area. Some products need high barriers or special protection. Not all “green” alternatives are better in all circumstances.
Nevertheless, the trend is unmistakable.
Now, companies are starting to view packaging as more than just a wrapper around a product; it’s a tool to care for their customers, their communities and the environment. It might be more important than the content.
The art of packaging goes beyond just the contents.
It’s also about what happens after the box is opened.
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This content is brought to you by James Oliver.
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Photo Credit: iStock
