The role of sustainable packaging in 2020 (part 2 of 2)

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2020/05/15 The role of sustainable packaging in 2020 (part 2 of 2)

The role of sustainable packaging in 2020 [+ examples]

Source from: https://packhelp.com/sustainable-packaging/

Eco-friendly packaging materials
Many people consider humble cardboard as an environmentally friendly material.

That’s because it is.

It's organic, ethical and sustainable and reusable packaging solutions out there.

Corrugated cardboard is the go-to solutions for packaging sustainability because they're organic.
Cardboard boxes come in many shapes and sizes. But another one of cardboard’s strengths is...well, its strength.

Double and triple-walled cardboard boxes can hold an incredible amount of weight. It's also highly resistant to blunt and piercing forces. So cardboard can keep your product secure throughout the shipping process.

A simple cardboard box is also over 80% biodegradable.

If it isn’t segregated when your customer throws it in the bin, it easily breaks down in landfill.

And if the material that cardboard is made from (paper pulp) isn’t already recycled, the raw materials used to make cardboard (trees) is managed incredibly well.

But there’s more to eco-friendly packaging than cardboard.

What happens when you need sustainable packaging that’s certified to come in contact with food?

Well, take a look at Snact fruit bars.

As a company, Snact is all about the reduction of waste. For starters, the product that they sell is made from banana peel - the perfectly edible part of the food that’s nearly always thrown out.
Secondly, snact worked with Tipa to create packaging that’s 100% compostable.

Throw your wrapper into the garden and watch it decompose.
It worth noting, that single-use packaging isn’t the bad guy here. Single-use packaging that’s oil-based and ends up in landfill is the culprit.
Single-use plastics like algae-based Agar, are made from red algae. This is a naturally occurring substance that’s available in abundance. This packaging is suited to pasta, cereals and other dry foods.

With a little more refinement, materials like this can also battle single-use products. Straws and spoons (perhaps even reusable packaging) may soon be made from organic matter.

The term ‘single use’ isn’t always bad. There are though, some phrases that have negative connotations.

Plant-based packaging solutions
Sometimes called bio-based plastics or corn plastic, these packaging solutions are made from an organic compound. This compound will, over time, decompose in about any environment that it’s put in.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a plastic substitute that’s made from fermented plant starch. More and more countries banning plastic bags at grocery stores. As a result, PLA looks set to become the next-best option to single-use plastic bags.

PLA can also be shaped into a more durable form of plastic packaging, used in Packhelp’s Bio polymailers.

Bio Polymailers can be used to send items that don’t need the protection of a box. For example, a simple t-shirt or other clothing that’s durable.

A Bio polymailer can be used to send products where the box itself is an asset - a pair of shoes, for example.

Design features like a resealable flap mean that a Bio polymailer can be used again if need be. This increases its versatility and lifespan, keeping it out of landfill for longer.

Consumer behaviour & sustainable packaging
Consumer trends are arguably one of the reasons many more brands are using eco-friendly packaging.

With more being done to battle climate change, taking care of the earth has never been more important.

For many larger brands, going ‘environmentally friendly’ is nothing more than a PR stunt. We consume with our eyes and a simple recycling logo doesn’t always carry a lot of weight.

Sustainability and environmentalism aren’t at the forefront of your brand’s defining features.

But sustainable packaging can give you an edge of your competition.

Consider this situation for a moment:

Your brand on a shelf in a retail store.

Your product is placed directly next to the competition.

A buyer has your product in one hand, and your competitors in the other.

This customer is trying to figure out which product to purchase. They’re in ‘buying mode’ and just need one little thing to push them over the edge.

On your packaging, this customer reads:

‘This packaging is made from 100% recycled material and will break down into non-toxic organic matter in 15 years’.

Sold.

If eco-friendly packaging isn’t part of your branding, it’s still important in the mind of the buyer, even if it’s not the most important thing to them.

A well-placed statement may be all that’s needed to make a buyer commit to your product and not a competitor.

But how can a brand that’s never been eco-minded make the change and implement sustainable packaging?

8 tips to move to eco-friendly packaging
If you’re a brand that’s considering using sustainable packaging, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most from the process.

1- Don’t change everything at once
Whether you’re selling 1 product or several thousand, it’s best not to commit totally to packaging sustainability before you’ve tested the concept. You can do that by sampling packaging options.

2 - Order product samples
As just mentioned, it’s risky to commit to a new packaging solution before testing it. Consider ordering a sample pack to inspect the quality of the packaging for yourself. Once you’re convinced that this is a practical option, then order in bigger quantities.

3 - Consider a redesign
Implementing new packaging can be a double-edged sword if done at the same time as launching a new redesign of the brand.

A new logo, a new colour pallet and design assets can truly be complemented by sustainable product packaging.

4 - Adjust your pricing
Price is obviously a factor that needs to be considered. You may be surprised to know that packaging made from 80% recycled material can be had for as little as €0.26 per piece.
Once you’ve settled on an eco-friendly packaging option, it’s important to calculate if you can absorb the cost of packaging or whether you need to increase prices accordingly.

5 - Order small volumes
Part of testing how your brand (and customers) take up sustainable packaging, is to do so in small volumes. Order as little as 30 pieces and judge the reaction of your team and customers. When everything is assured, scale up your order size!

6 - FIFO
FIFO stands for ‘First in, first out’ and it’s a method you might like to apply to your packaging. Before using your new packaging design, make sure that you’ve used up all your old packaging first.

7 - Consider eco-ing your product
Once your customers have taken well to your new packaging solution, consider bringing the concept of sustainability to your product itself. An eco-friendly product in an environmentally friendly box is a double-edged marketing sword!

8 - Flaunt your eco packaging
A brand that aligns itself for the good of the environment is something that the world wants to hear about. It’s a moral that can make your brand stand out and be seen over your competition.

Work your sustainability into your marketing campaigns and make sure that people know that you’re out there to help the environment.

Sustainable packaging companies
As a young packaging company, Packhelp knows only sustainability and working alongside the environment.
We have a responsibility to care for the environment and help our customers do the same.

Being a fresh and disruptive brand to the stagnant and old-fashion packaging industry, we’ve learnt many things. None more important than this:
Most small to medium brands want to sell their product in packaging that doesn’t damage the environment.

That’s why every single cardboard product in our range is made from a minimum of 80% recycled cardboard. This means that when you order custom packaging from us, you’re getting a material that was a school book, cereal box or a bank statement in another life.

Conclusion
In this article, you saw the current state of sustainable packaging and how your small brand can start using it. You can now see how a brand can use sustainable packaging to build a better relationship with eco-minded customers.
With a global shift toward fighting climate change, the way we approach packaging is set to grow and change. Rather than being an alternative option, sustainable packaging is only going to become more important.
Start designing your sustainable packaging.

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