6 Ways To Increase Sustainability In Packaging

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Using ineffective packaging can be a significant source of waste for many companies. Moreover, opting for the wrong type of packing not only leads to waste but also escalates costs and influences customer perceptions of your brand. In today’s business landscape, sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity. Consumers are not just interested in sustainable options, they demand them.

Use Sustainable Materials

Transitioning to sustainable materials can offer immediate benefits to your packaging and your relationship with customers. Regardless of what you’re shipping, exploring sustainable materials is a smart starting point. Whether it’s opting for heavy-duty brown paper over plastic bags, using recycled cardboard boxes, soluble packing peanuts, or even customised sustainable packaging tape, these choices can enhance your brand’s sustainability profile.

Choose Recycled Materials

It’s not always possible to swap your packaging materials for sustainable options, as in some cases, this isn’t suitable. However, in this case, you can choose to use recycled materials so you can further reduce your carbon footprint. Recycled plastics can be a great option for times when other materials won’t do the job. Remember, every small step towards sustainability counts, and even these choices can make a significant difference in the long run.

Choose Biodegradable Options

Biodegradable packaging options can be ideal for those who want a more durable option that can break down naturally under the right operations and not sit in landfills. Materials such as cellulose, corn starch packaging, peanuts, green cell foam, and more are all great options for one, especially if you are marketing your items towards the sustainability sector or specifically for people looking to reduce their waste.

Use Reusable Options

Reusable packing options are ones that don’t need to be disposed of once the item arrives at its destination. Think bottles and tin or sturdy boxes that can be used by the consumer for other uses around the home. Glass bottles, wicker baskets, reusable shopping bags, etc., can all be used as part of the delivery process and become options for people to use for other things, such as storage at home, to help extend their lifespan.

Change Sizes

Examining the sizes of your packaging and evaluating the waste it generates is a crucial step. If you’re using a standard option across the board, regardless of your product’s size, you’re likely creating more waste than necessary. This not only costs you in supplies and shipping but also contributes to environmental degradation. Research suggests that the average box is 40% too big for its contents. However, by aligning the size of your boxes with the contents, you can easily reduce this impact.

Improve Transit and Shipping

Ineffective packing isn’t the whole problem for many businesses; it’s the way the items are handled and shipped that can increase costs and reduce sustainability. Looking at your shipping and logistics process as a whole can eliminate areas of waste, what is impacting your packing options, and how you work towards a more eco-friendly way of delivering your packages without impacting the customer experience.