What are the benefits of sustainable packaging?

What makes packaging sustainable?

When talking about sustainable packaging, the key focus is what impact it has throughout its lifetime. It will always cost resources to produce packaging, but opting for a reusable solution can help to reduce the total amount of resources being consumed in the future. To understand whether your current packaging setup is sustainable, ask yourself the following questions:

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• Does your packaging adequately protect your product and minimise product wastage?
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• Is the production of your packaging resource efficient?
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• Can your packaging be used by consumers past its initial purpose of being packaging, and is it safe for them to do so?
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• Does your packaging cause damage after it's used? Such as the way it's disposed of or processed.
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• Can your packaging be recycled, reducing the chance of it making its way to landfill, oceans or rivers?
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• Is it easy for your customers to dispose of and recycle your packaging sustainably? i.e. are the materials used, widely recyclable and easy to sort?
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• Does your packaging feed into the circular economy, meaning there are processes in place to support its reuse?

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If you answered yes to each of these questions, then you have a sustainable solution, however that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved elsewhere. If you answered no to any of the above, you might be able to make simple changes to improve how you package your goods. To learn more about this topic, visit our blog that explores the solution to sustainable packaging.

Is sustainable and eco-friendly packaging the same thing?

The terms sustainable and eco-friendly are often used interchangeably, but some differences exist. The key quality of sustainable packaging is that it provides future value without causing additional harm. For example, if it can be recycled, reused or repurposed, it has a sustainable purpose beyond its initial use.

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Eco-friendly is a term often used to describe things that cause no environmental damage whatsoever. This is extremely difficult to achieve with packaging, as the processes required to produce them will always have some impact. However, packaging is necessary for many things in our daily lives, which is why it’s realistic to aim for a sustainable solution rather than an entirely eco-friendly one. A solution which causes unnecessary product wastage should be avoided.

The benefits of sustainable packaging

With all this being said, understanding why sustainable packaging is beneficial may help you make the switch. How your company benefits will be unique to you, and depends on the solution you choose and the way you implement it into your business. Here are some examples of benefits you can expect to receive: 

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1. Attract eco-conscious customers - Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious with their shopping habits. Catering to these shoppers may help you attract additional sales.
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2. Reduce your packaging waste - Packaging makes up a large portion of waste that makes its way into natural environments. Opting for a sustainable option will help to keep materials out of habitats such as oceans, forests and rivers.
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3. Use fewer resources - Throughout its lifecycle, while your packaging is recycled, reused and repurposed, you’ll be consuming fewer resources compared to reproducing packaging. This can help to reduce your costs and environmental impact.
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4. Refresh your product's image - If you’ve had the same packaging for a long time, there may be benefits to refreshing your image to grab the attention of new customers. When you come to this decision, it’s also a great opportunity to visit the sustainability of your solution at the same time.
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5. Gain a competitive edge - Offering a more sustainable option where your competitors aren’t, can help to give you an advantage when it comes to selling your goods.
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6. Make sustainability easy for your customers - Customers will find it frustrating if it’s not clear whether or not your products can be recycled. Opting for a straightforward option that makes it easier for them may enhance their perception of your brand.
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7. Future proof your business - The requirements for governments to reach their sustainable goals continue to grow. In the future, we may see rules and regulations implemented on manufacturers. Transitioning to a sustainable solution before this happens can help you avoid a future problem at a time when everyone is making the switch.
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8. Increase investment attractiveness - Investors are looking for companies with a competitive advantage, and integrating sustainable practices into your business may help to secure investment opportunities.

Why is sustainable packaging so important?

Packaging can cause many different types of environmental problems, and while we are all aware of some of the impacts, new problems will arise from past failures and it is why a sustainable solution is needed.

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• Moving away from single use materials and adopting a recycling approach means packaging can serve a purpose past its initial use.
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• By reducing the amount of waste we create from packaging, you can help to protect the environment and avoid contaminating food sources for wildlife and marine species.
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• Producers need to lead the way in making recycling easier for consumers. By making packaging widely recyclable, consumers are more likely to dispose of their waste in the correct way.
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• By actively making a change to the way we dispose of and recycle our waste, we can contribute to the reduction of landfill sites, improving environments and local communities around the world.
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• Moving away from single use plastics and packaging will contribute to bettering our world for future generations.
  
  

What’s the solution?

We recommend that you read our dedicated blog on sustainable packaging: what’s the solution as we cover this topic in more depth. But, to give you an idea of how you can help to avoid the doom and gloom surrounding environmental damage, we offer the solution of pouch packaging.

This type of packaging possesses many qualities that make them a more sustainable alternative than other solutions on the market. From how they’re produced to how they feed into a circular economy that ensures their recyclability, they’re a modern solution that can be customised to suit all products, brands and industries. To learn more about what stand up pouches offer, you can browse our site for more information, or speak to one of our team directly by completing the form below.