Almost all goods require some form of packaging. Whether it’s a simple exterior box for protection or an advanced solution made of several materials and components, there is almost always room to improve how sustainable your packaging is. We cover here why sustainable packaging is so important, the goals to work towards, and what options are available for you to consider.
There are many benefits to packaging sustainably, but in order to receive these benefits, your business will need to reach certain milestones and goals. Each of these goals contributes to your business' overall sustainability and brings unique benefits to your business and the environment. You should make a list of the goals your company is working towards before creating a strategy to meet those goals. Here are some example milestones to work into your plan:
The overarching goal of any actions that improve the sustainability of a business is to reduce its environmental footprint. This refers to the total impact a company has on the environment based on its activities, processes, infrastructure and everything else. The way your packaging is produced, transported, stored and disposed of all contribute to your environmental footprint, and reviewing it in its entirety will highlight where the greatest opportunities for change are.
If something is biodegradable, it will naturally be broken down over time by microorganisms, meaning no pollution is left behind. However, just because something is biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s the most sustainable choice. For example, plastic bags are considered to be biodegradable, but it can take up to 1,000 years for this process to happen. Some biodegradable products break down into microbeads which is a problem for the environment.
One of the reasons people don’t recycle is due to confusion. Fear of putting the wrong materials in the recycling bin can lead to people disposing of packaging that could otherwise be recycled. This represents an opportunity for companies to educate and make it easier for their customers to recycle their goods. If it’s easy for your customers to understand and do, you’ll increase the likelihood of it happening.
Certain materials are more resource efficient than others, and what goes into producing your packaging is just as important as how easy it is to dispose of after your goods have been consumed. Finding out this information is sometimes difficult to do, so we recommend that you work with a packaging specialist who has experience working with various materials. They should be able to advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of each material so you can make an informed decision.
Consumers are becoming more conscious about the sustainability of the goods they’re buying, with 68% of the UK listing it as an important purchasing criteria. Appealing to this group of customers will increase the likelihood of someone picking up and trying your product, and sustainability can be a competitive advantage over other similar goods.
There is an undeniable trend toward sustainability in every aspect of life, and even once the world has reached is sustainability goals, the need to carry on working in an eco-friendly way will continue. The sooner you adopt a sustainable packaging solution, the sooner you can begin to adapt your processes and benefit from doing so. There may even be future laws, regulations and requirements that force you to change in the future, so getting ahead of this can help your business adapt sooner rather than later.
Your brand image is defined by how your customers perceive you, and actively looking for ways to improve your business's sustainability can help improve your brand perception. Taking positive actions and sharing this with your customers can help define who you are and attract other customers seeking out sustainable products and services.
Reducing the weight and opting for flexible packaging can improve the sustainability of your product. Heavy packaging will require more fuel to transport, and inflexible materials such as glass or metal lead to wasted space in storage. Your product will travel many times in its lifecycle, starting from the initial creation to the consumption and disposal, so any improvements you make in this area will benefit your product as it travels between locations.
If your product uses multiple packaging components, you may be able to streamline how your goods are packaged for an instant environmental benefit. Many packaging options offer an all-in-one solution, meaning it’s the only packaging you’ll need when storing and shipping your goods. Where using fewer packaging materials isn’t possible, you can substitute each component for a more sustainable alternative instead.
While sustainability should be at the forefront of every packaging decision you make, sometimes your product will have requirements that make this unrealistic. Finding the balance between sustainability and practicality will ensure that the end result is both right for your brand and the environment.
We offer free expert advice and support for anyone who needs product packaging, and we’d love to hear about your project and help find the right pouch for you.
There are many sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging, and as technology advances, so do the options. Packaging is being made more sustainable through several means, such as changing the types of materials used or inventing an entirely new solution. The right choice for you will depend on many factors such as your brand, infrastructure, processes, budget and the product itself. We’ve listed some examples of sustainable packaging alternatives below to help guide your research:
Aside from the benefits to your business, there are environmental reasons that highlight why sustainable packaging is so important. Many statistics around global waste conclude that our current rate of consumption is unsustainable, but taking actions to improve how you package your goods will contribute to reversing this trend. Here are some statistics that shine a light on why sustainable packaging and consumer behaviour are so important:
One of the sustainable packaging options we’ve touched on is standing pouches or stand up pouch packaging. This type of packaging offers many benefits when compared to alternative options, especially when it comes to recycling and sustainability. They’re created from several layers of lightweight and flexible materials, and they’re easy to print on and customise to suit almost any product.
If you’d like to learn more about stand up pouches, we specialise in sustainable pouch packaging, and we’d be happy to offer our help, advice and expertise. We can advise you on the decisions that may impact how sustainable your product is, as well as guide you on the process needed to handle this packaging type. Whether you’re ready to adopt a new type of packaging, or you’re at the beginning of your sustainability journey, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need a helping hand.
If you have any enquiries concerning our pouch packaging, or would simply like to get in touch with our team, you can use the contact form or details below.
