Brands and consumers are placing more emphasis than ever before on sustainable packaging.
By 2025, McDonald’s packaging will be entirely recyclable and renewable, the company announced.
Millennials are pressuring companies to take greater social and environmental responsibility.
Single-use plastics are being phased out in British marketplaces.
Eco-friendly packaging is obviously more than just a trendy phrase.
In fact, implementing eco packaging in your brand’s operations is no longer an option – it’s a necessity.
Do you still need more evidence that environmentally friendly packaging has become the standard?
A recent study found that:
- 37% of When choosing products, American consumers give sustainability a high priority.
- 51 % of supply chain professionals expect the circular economy to expand in popularity in the next two years, as a result of the pandemic
- 30% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that deliver on sustainability claims
Many of us were brought up with the phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ in our vocabulary. Being a reflection of these values today is crucial to your company’s success. To increase brand loyalty among environmentally conscious consumers as well as to benefit the environment.
In this article, you’ll see:
- What is packaging sustainability and sustainable design?
- Examples of environmentally friendly packaging solutions
- Material technology’s influence on sustainable packaging solutions
Engineering for packaging and material science are evolving incredibly quickly. As a result, there are more environmentally friendly packaging options available that can handle a variety of products.
More companies are switching to eco-packaging; this includes cosmetics marketing, ethical fashion and apparel, and even cannabis branding.
Plant-based packaging and compostable packaging have both seen significant advancements. The ability of your company to lessen its carbon footprint is also increasing as a result of this.
Additionally, wasteful brands are being called out as a result of the public’s growing awareness of the waste that poor packaging causes.
So let’s explore the world of green packaging and discover how it can help your brand. But first, let’s define sustainability in terms of packaging before we delve too deeply.
Table of Contents
What Does “sustainable Packaging” Mean?
In a nutshell, it is packaging that over time lessens its environmental impact.
This can happen in a number of ways:
- Ingredients: Using raw 100% recycled or raw materials
- Production process: By minimising the production process, supply chain and carbon footprint
- Reusability: by expanding the packaging’s life cycle and usability, a circular economy can be created.
Eco packaging is solely concerned with the environment, to put it simply. Economic and social factors should also be taken into account.
Plant-based packaging, as an illustration, might appear to be a good choice. But quite often that means clearing endangered rainforests to grow crops.
Eco packaging needs to consider the economic factor. It must be more affordable than conventional oil-based/single-use packaging options.
The definitions can therefore occasionally be a little confusing.
It’s not necessarily sustainable just because something has a fancy label that says “eco-friendly.” Similar to how something’s sustainability designation does not imply its ethics
But here’s what’s most important if your brand is considering a change:
Not all definitions are clear-cut. It is beneficial to query your packaging manufacturer in depth.
Among the best resources is the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The certifications of specific brands and products are shown here. You can learn a lot about recyclable packaging in general from doing this as well.
The Forest Stewardship Council is one of the additional organizations. They ensure that any wood-based products (like cardboard boxes) are made from sustainably-sourced forests.
Sustainable product packaging, coupled with sustainable package design, is a potent combination. Setting your brand apart from the competition with these qualities can be very effective.
What Does Sustainable Packaging Design Entail?
Packaging for products should be designed sustainably to cause the least amount of environmental damage possible.
This can be achieved by using recycled material. Designing your packaging with a different objective in mind is another way to achieve this.
As an illustration, take a look at this H&M shopping bag that can be converted into a hanger.
In addition to using less material than H&M’s standard plastic bag, these bags also use paper that has been recycled 80% of the time.
The target market for H&M is people between the ages of 18 and 35. These people are aware that the environment matters to them.
H&M know their customers appreciate brands with eco and reusable packaging solutions.
Reusable design consequently fosters brand loyalty among customers.
Here’s another illustration.
We’ve recently analyzed the supply chain of IKEA, and how the global leader started to invest in biodegradable types of packaging made from mycelium fungus. Styrofoam, which is frequently used to secure goods in cardboard packaging, has been replaced in this change, a leading example of doing so.
No matter the type of material used, simply using less can have amazing results.
Value engineering is the process of redesigning packaging from the ground up with the aim of saving money – and believe it or not, most money can be saved by using less packaging. That was the case of Raylo, a start-up based in London, optimized its packaging by using fewer materials.
The results?
In addition to reducing weight by 25%, Raylo was able to cut packaging costs by 11%.
The packaging engineers at Packhelp carefully examine your current packaging choices and make sure that your solution is created to use the least amount of material possible.
Review the examples of environmentally friendly packaging design below.
9 Environmentally Friendly Packaging Materials
we’ve put together a handy list of environmentally friendly packaging materials. Check out the choices listed below to see which ones work best for your company.
1. Compostable Packaging
Compostable materials have the capacity to break down naturally and return to the earth, ideally without leaving behind any harmful byproducts. Plant-based materials (such as corn, sugar cane, or bamboo) and/or bio-poly mailers are typically used to make compostable packaging materials.
It’s crucial to remember that a material must be able to decompose in a home compost within 180 days and in a commercial compost within 90 days in order to be considered truly compostable.
noissue’s Compostable Mailer is a type of packaging that has been approved as compostable. It is made from a combination of PLA, which is produced from plant-based materials like corn and wheat straw, and PBAT, a biodegradable and compostable polymer.
A great example of a retailer shipping goods in compostable mailers is the baby and children’s retailer Sun Sea Days.
2. Recycled Packaging
Recycled packaging is another option for environmentally friendly packaging materials. These products give already-used plastics a second chance at use.
By reducing the need to gather raw materials, using recycled materials allows you to preserve natural resources, lessen the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, and prevent pollution.
At Handzy Shop + Studio, which utilizes recycled mailers without a problem, we can observe recycled packaging in action. They are made of recycled plastic and have an additional adhesive strip that allows the mailers to be reused.
3. Corrugated Packaging
Box fibers made primarily from trees and used corrugated containers are referred to as corrugated packaging. They can be recycled seven to ten times, according to corrugated.org, to create new packaging materials. In addition, “more corrugated packaging is recovered for recycling than any other packaging material.”
Many online merchants use corrugated packaging to package and ship their goods, and it is widely used in the industry.
Here is an illustration from Everyday Wine, which uses corrugated boxes for its wine bottles.
4. Glassine Packaging
Glassine, a smooth and glossy paper, might be a good choice if you need to use transparent paper for packaging. Wood pulp is used to make glassine, which makes it recyclable and biodegradable. Additionally, it has a pH of 7 and no acids.
Before sending out its expensive candles to customers, The Belle Candle Company wraps them in glassine.
5. Cellulose Packaging
Natural materials like hemp, wood, and cotton are used to make cellulose packaging. It is a sustainable alternative to plastic because the material is compostable and biodegradable.
Because cellulose packaging resists moisture, food brands in particular favor it.
At the Kitwe Food & Farmers Market, you can observe it in action as cellulose film is being used by vendors to package their microgreens.
6. Cornstarch Packaging
You guessed it: packaging made of cornstarch is referred to as cornstarch packaging. It is sustainable and biodegradable because it is made from renewable resources and doesn’t have any toxic chemicals.
As a great substitute for bubble wrap and styrofoam, cornstarch can also be used to create biodegradable packing peanuts.
7. Mushroom Packaging
Mycelium, a fungus found in mushrooms, is used to make mushroom packaging, another widely used substitute for styrofoam. A strong packaging material that can hold products and keep them in place is the end result.
When shipping goods, the staff at the candle subscription business Keap uses mushroom packaging. Their team claims that the material’s strong and light weight characteristics allow them to ship items safely while still being environmentally friendly.
8. Kraft Paper
Wood pulp is used to make kraft paper. All types of wood, including resinous pine, are used to make kraft materials, unlike regular paper, which typically excludes this type of wood. The production process is more environmentally friendly because almost all of the chemicals used to make kraft paper can be recycled.
noissue The entire line of sizes for kraft mailers is FSC-certified. Even better, you can add your branding and aesthetic to them.
Take a look at this illustration and print design example from Sally Payne, a freelance illustrator.
9. Green Cell Foam
A bio-based foam product made from corn grown in the US is called Green Cell Foam. You can get rid of it by putting it in water or by composting the substance at home or in commercial settings.
As its name clearly indicates, Green Cell Foam functions very similarly to foam, making it the perfect choice for companies that need to ship their products with padding.
8 Tips To Move To Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Here are some pointers to help brands considering switching to eco-friendly packaging make the most of the transition.
1- Don’t Change Everything At Once
It’s best to hold off on making a complete commitment to sustainable packaging until you’ve tested the idea, regardless of how many products you sell. To achieve this, try out various packaging types.
2 – Order Product Samples
It’s risky, as was just stated, to adopt a fresh packaging approach without first testing it. To check the packaging’s quality for yourself, think about ordering a sample pack. Order in greater quantities once you’re certain that this is a viable choice.
3 – Consider A Redesign
If new branding is launched at the same time as new packaging is implemented, it could be a double-edged sword.
Packaging for sustainable products can really enhance a new logo, color scheme, and design assets.
4 – Adjust Your Pricing
Cost must undoubtedly be taken into account. You might be surprised to learn that 80% recycled-content packaging can be purchased for as little as 0.26 euros per piece.
It’s crucial to determine whether you can absorb the cost of packaging once you’ve chosen a packaging option or whether you need to raise prices accordingly.
5 – Order Small Volumes
Small-scale testing is a key component of determining how your brand (and customers) respond to your new packaging. Order as little as 30 pieces and judge the reaction of your team and customers. When everything is certain, increase the size of your order!
6 – Fifo
FIFO stands for ‘First in, first out’ and it’s a method you might like to apply to your packaging. Make sure you’ve used up all of your old packaging before using your new design.
7 – Consider Eco-ing Your Product
Once your target market has accepted your new packaging design favorably, think about incorporating sustainability into your product design. The marketing potential of a green product in a green box is dual-edged!
8 – Flaunt Your Eco Packaging
The public wants to know about a company that aligns itself with environmental protection. It has a message that will help your company stand out from the crowd and gain an advantage over rival brands.
Work your sustainability into your marketing campaigns and make sure that people know that you’re out there to help the environment.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging Examples
Research is needed to make the transition to sustainability. Consider how it can enhance your packaging design the most.
See several instances of businesses that have done just that by looking at the examples below.
Stripe & Stare
Fast fashion produces more carbon dioxide (CO2) annually than all commercial flights combined.
It is safe to say that large fashion retailers play a significant role in the rise in emissions.
Stripe and Stare were aware of this and sought to improve the sustainability of underwear, a product that everyone needs.
Products from Stripe & Stare are three times softer than cotton and use 95% less water thanks to the use of Tencel, a natural fabric made in Austria from Beechwood trees.
Additionally, their underwear is completely compostable.
Naturally, the brand required packaging that reflected these same ideals.
The best solution was eco-mailer mailer boxes, but the company went a step further and perfected the variety of packaging products they use.
The brand utilized as thin-as-possible boxes rather than void filler.
As a result, there is less empty space inside the box and less raw material was used to make the packaging.
And this is a good point: sometimes sustainability isn’t just about the material, it’s about the quantity.
Featured product: Eco shipping boxes that suit Royal Mail shipping dimensions
Sunad
Sunad is a Spanish brand that imitates traditional, timeless style using natural fibers.
The company not only desired to use environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging, but they also desired a style that would complement the hues and colors of their clothing.
Their initial concept was an eco mailer box, but they quickly realized that their soft and sturdy pants, blouses, and accessories didn’t require bulky corrugated cardboard.
By the end, Sunad had switched to kraft mailers that could expand.
The brand can benefit from the kraft-like natural texture of paper pulp by using these mailer bags, a novel method of clothing packaging that uses the least amount of materials possible.
Hemp Juice
CBD products are sold by Hemp Juice in Poland. Using two packaging products and the use of color to distinguish their products from one another, Hemp Juice has used recycled and recyclable cardboard to implement packaging that leaves the smallest carbon footprint possible. They needed environmentally friendly and custom CBD packaging to showcase their range of oils while creating a memorable and branded unboxing experience.
Sheyn
Sheyn is a jewelry company with headquarters in Vienna that specializes in understated yet sophisticated design. The founders of the company were eager to investigate the potential of 3D printing, which is how they developed their amazing selection of jewelry. Sheyn has utilized a kraft mailer box made of 80% recycled material, ensuring that their production is fully sustainable as well. Thus, their packaging now features their distinctive design. In turn, their customer has a memorable unboxing experience based around their packaging.
Origin X Performance
This UK-based company integrated sustainability into every facet of its sportswear business, right down to the last thread in its apparel.
Each item is shipped in a personalized jiffy bag or branded mailing bag. Origin X Performance’s packaging is entirely sustainable, unlike the majority of the bags used by e-commerce companies. These bags are just as strong as recyclable plastics and plastic substitutes and are made from natural, biodegradable materials.
Why Packaging Sustainability Is Important
The importance of packaging sustainability doesn’t require further explanation. Knowing that it’s important if you’re reading this article.
If you still need convincing, take a look at these tweets directed at Amazon’s frustration-free packaging program:
However, the end user is not the only one pushing for sustainable packaging.
Unilever Australia and other sizable businesses have recently pressed the Australian government. The government has been urged by Unilever to take additional action against plastic pollution.
And if corporations of this size can put the heat on governments, it means:
- Consumers want to associate with brands that are environmentally focused
- Large corporations are spearheading the initiative to help their public image
- Smaller and medium brands will be forced to implement sustainability in their packaging
However, investing a lot of money in sustainable packaging is not required. It also doesn’t imply a sacrifice of form or function.
Consumer Behaviour & Packaging Sustainabilty
Consumer trends are arguably one of the reasons many more brands are using environmentally 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. A straightforward recycling logo doesn’t always carry a lot of weight because we consume with our eyes.
Sustainability and environmentalism aren’t at the forefront of your brand’s defining features.
But eco-conscious packaging can give you an edge over your competition.
Consider this situation for a moment:
Your brand displayed on a shelf in a 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 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.
