Ecological Friendly Packaging
Ecological Friendly Packaging
The deterioration of the environment caused by synthetic
materials has reached critical levels, resulting in a proven negative impact on
ecosystems and potentially on human health.In parallel with these environmental
concerns, consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging has increased.
Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and
are scrutinizing companies and their packaging standards. This new consumer
awareness is driving brands to innovate and adopt new green packaging strategies
without necessarily incurring additional costs.
More than half of consumers today say that the
recyclability, durability and biodegradability of packaging are important
factors in their purchasing decisions.Switching to eco-friendly packaging is no
longer an option for brands, it's a necessity.
Through this article, you will discover:
·
The definition of
eco-packaging and some examples
·
How brands can not only
create a positive impact on the environment but also on their turnover
·
What are the big companies
leading the eco-packaging movement
·
Ecological materials used
in biodegradable packaging
·
Our advice for adopting an
ecological packaging solution
By adopting eco-packaging, brands not only have a
competitive advantage to gain, which naturally means more sales, but also the
opportunity to leverage their influence to change consumer behavior, from
win-win to Earth, consumers, and businesses.
Definition of Eco-Packaging
Green packaging is no longer just about recycling. True or
false, the biodegradability of packaging is frequently examined and used as a
measure of a company's overall eco-consciousness. However, what about the
pollution that could be generated by the trucks involved in the recycling
cycle? What about the water and energy needed to process these materials?
Take for example a jar of glass yoghurt. It can be reused
indefinitely as long as it does not fall apart, and can easily be recycled in
most countries. However, to make this glass, it is necessary to collect silica
present in the sand, which in passing faces a global shortage, and transport it
by truck to a factory.
The truck uses gasoline and emits carbon dioxide, a
"greenhouse gas" that contributes to climate change. Then, to heat
the furnace used in the transformation of silica into glass, it takes
electricity and other fuels ...
Whenever someone re-uses this pot, this whole process is
avoided. And every time a person recycles a glass bottle, energy could still be
consumed in the transportation, cleaning and processing of that bottle. But at
least sand is not used, and relatively less energy is required.
Eco-packaging is a full player in sustainable development.
The latter refers to growth that meets the needs of the present, without
depriving future generations of the raw materials or the quality of the
environment they will need to meet their own needs.
In short, a perfectly ecological packaging:
·
Is beneficial, safe and
healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle
·
Meets current performance
and cost criteria
·
Is extracted, manufactured,
transported and recycled using renewable energies
·
Is manufactured using clean
production technologies, according to best practices
·
Is made from materials that
stay healthy throughout their life cycle
·
Is physically designed to
optimize the use of matter and energy
·
Can be recovered
efficiently, and used in closed biological and / or industrial cycles
If you are a company and you are thinking of switching to an
eco-friendly packaging option, it's important to do your own research, as a
packaging that seems environmentally friendly at first might not be in reality.
Since the definitions are not always black or white, it is
useful to ask the right questions to your packaging manufacturer .
Examples of Ecological Packaging:
Reducing the environmental footprint and building brand
loyalty among eco-conscious consumers is an important initiative for
businesses. Here are some examples of brands that have adopted an eco-friendly
packaging solution for all or part of their products.
Eco-Friendly Packaging - PCB
PCB is a US brand that sells belts, socks and other
accessories made from eco-friendly materials. Reducing plastic waste is an
important part of this brand's mission. Naturally, their packaging must also
correspond to this philosophy.
Eco-friendly Packaging - Monday's Child
Monday's Child, a British brand of toys, has designed an
original carton that not only serves as a parcel post, but is also a toy on its
own.
By adopting a reusable packaging with an extended lifespan,
Monday's Child offers outstanding value for its customers and the environment.
Eco cardboard from The Dream Ball Project turns into a
soccer ball
Eco-Friendly Packaging - The Dream Ball Project
Designed by the Korean studio, these cardboard tubes are
transformed into footballs for children from underdeveloped countries.
These children play most of the time with homemade balls
that break and / or hurt their feet. Instead, they can now use these
eco-friendly cardboard balls.
UAU Project ecological package box designed by Packhelp -
eco-friendly packaging
UAU Project is a brand specialized in 3D printed art. The
boxes used to ship these works of art across Europe also serve as a stage for
exposing these works.
These large parcel boxes have a dual purpose: the transport
of art as well as its exposure. Creativity in eco-packaging definitely has no
limits!
Featured Product: Eco Cardboard Box
Eco-packaging can have a positive impact on the environment
and your turnover
As Unilever reports in an international study,
"one-third of consumers today choose to buy from brands that act in a
social or environmental interest". According to a study published by
Tandberg , this ratio could even be more than half of the consumers in the
world.
The sensitivity of the general public to climate change and
other environmental challenges influences purchasing habits and consumer
choices.
Among the multitude of factors, packaging is now a major
decision factor. Nowadays, using eco-friendly packaging is no longer just an
eco-conscious way of selling a product, but a way to share the values and
ethics of a company.
Smithers Pira, a global supply chain authority for the
packaging, paper and printing industry, conducted a survey of key players in
the packaging market. 79% of companies indicated that increased consumer
exposure to environmental problems is a major driver of growth for them .
To stand out today in e-commerce as well as on the shelves,
it takes an effort that goes beyond a simple attractive visual design. Brands
that connect with the consumer, using their values, lifestyle, or beliefs, are
the brands that lead the journey of customer acquisition and retention today.
"79% of companies said that increased consumer exposure
to environmental problems is an important driver of growth for them."
Eco-friendly packaging - Companies that lead the
eco-packaging movement
Forty-year-olds remember how long McDonald's used
plastic-based foam containers for their Big Macs. McDonald's was one of the
first major companies to adopt paper packaging for take-out orders.
Ecological Paper Packaging by Mcdonald's
Today, McDonald's is still a leader in takeout and is
publicly committed to 100% green packaging by 2025.
Even luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton promote
their eco-friendly packaging. Nike claims to have saved more than 3 billion
plastic bottles since 2010 , thanks to the use of recycled polyester in the
making of some of its clothing. Each uniform of the United States National Football
Team consists of at least 16 plastic bottles.
With all this attention to ecology and the environment, it
is easy to understand why large companies are reinventing their manufacturing
processes and packaging to reduce their impact on the environment.
Nestlé recyclable plastic water bottle
Nestlé, one of the largest consumer products companies in
the world, has also embraced this trend. The company plans to use 100%
recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025.
To encourage people to recycle, H & M offers their
customers 10% off coupons when they return a box or unused clothes.
Ecological Packaging
As for Philips, the company is committed to carbon
neutrality of all its activities by 2020. Philips also aims to recycle 90% of
its own waste.
"At Philips, we fully support sustainability because of
its benefits to the world, and because we believe it is a driver of economic
growth, which is why we have integrated sustainable development into our
corporate strategy. . "
Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips.
The CEO of Philips said it well, sustainable development and
eco-packaging not only have a positive impact on the planet, but also on the
growth of your business. No reason not to ride this wave.
Philips eco-friendly packaging for the OneBlade razor
Ecological materials used in packaging
Many people consider the modest cardboard box we all know as
one of the most environmentally friendly packaging solutions. And they are
right.
Packhelp ecological cardboard composition
One of the most advantageous assets of the cardboard is its
robustness.
Once assembled correctly, the double and triple-walled
cardboard boxes can support a substantial weight of merchandise and keep it
safe throughout the shipment.
A simple cardboard box is also more than 80% biodegradable.
Aside from eco-cardboard, there are several other materials
used in eco-packaging including:
Corn starch
Corn starch packaging is biodegradable and is ideal for use
in limited-use products such as take-away. Corn starch is a good option for all
types of food packaging and can also protect the container during shipping.
Biodegradable plastic
Increasingly used, biodegradable plastic starts to decompose
when exposed to daylight and is a good alternative to traditional plastics.
Traditional plastic is the third most widely used petroleum
derivative in the world. Each year, 200 million tons of plastic are consumed on
the planet. It comes from a non-renewable source (petroleum), it is contaminant
and not biodegradable.
For example, Coca Cola has designed PlantBottle ™, a
recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle made partly from a plant
material.
Bagasse (sugar cane pulp)
Bagasse is a fibrous material of natural ivory color. When
the sugar cane is crushed to extract the juice, only the bagasse remains.
Bagasse is used to make insulated containers that are disposable, replacing
non-ecological materials such as polystyrene foam.
Reed fiber - a Japanese innovation
The reeds grow fast. They can be composted and returned to
the farming cycle. In addition, cultivated on banks or rivers, reeds do not
compete with food crops, unlike plants grown for biodiesel.
The difference between a biodegradable packaging and a
compostable packaging
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, there will be
more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050.
By definition, biodegradable materials are composed of
wastes from living organisms. For example, products made of paper, banana
leaves, bamboo, vegetable fiber and food residues are examples of elements that
can be biodegradable, which means that they break down in a landfill.
Biodegradable compostable ecological straws
While compostable products are always biodegradable, the
opposite is not always true. Compostable packaging can be broken down into an
industrial compost cycle, but will enrich the soil and provide a fertile ground
for the growth of other plants. The enrichment of soil quality is important
because it significantly affects our food production, a necessity because of
the increase in the world population,
As a brand, it is important to carefully consider the
packaging format to be used and make an informed decision based on the reality
of your country's waste management infrastructure. What is described as "
compostable " does not mean that it will decompose quietly on the side of
the road.
Ensuring that products are not just recyclable but
"designed for recycling" is essential if we want to recover more of
our resources.
Our tips for starting today to adopt eco-friendly packaging
If you are a brand considering the transition to
eco-packaging, here are some tips to better ensure this transition:
1 - Do not change everything at the same time
Whether you are selling one or thousands of products, it is
best not to engage fully in green packaging before you have tested the concept.
2 - Order packaging samples
As mentioned, it is risky to engage in a new packaging
solution before testing it. Remember to order a bundle of samples to check
yourself the quality of the packaging. Once convinced that it is a practical
option, order larger quantities.
3 - Consider a redesign of your visual identity
Adopting a new style of packaging at the same time as
rebuilding your brand can be a great opportunity to generate a big impact on
all fronts.
A new logo, new colors and new patterns can be pleasantly
complemented by eco-friendly packaging.
The visual redesign of the Mailchimp brand
4 - Adjust your prices
The price is obviously a factor to take into account. You
may be surprised to know that packaging made from 80% recycled material is
available from 0.26 euro per piece.
Once you have opted for an environmentally friendly
packaging option, it is important to calculate whether you can absorb the cost
of this package or if you need to increase your prices accordingly.
5 - Order in small volumes
To test how your customers are responding to your new
packaging, you must proceed gradually. With Packhelp, for example, you can
order cartons and other eco-friendly packaging from just 30 pieces. When you
see that your customers' response is favorable, increase the size of your
orders.
6 - Integrate your ecological values into your marketing
campaigns
Make sure people know that you are involved in protecting
the environment. Your customers want to hear about it, be sure to communicate
well. You will take a considerable step ahead of your competitors.
Ecological packaging suppliers
As a young packaging company, Packhelp is firmly committed
to sustainable development and respect for the environment, while helping its
customers to do the same.
Ecological packaging personalized for the brand Deer my dear
As a new disruptive brand in the old-fashioned packaging
industry, we have learned a lot. Among these things, one of the most important
is that most small and medium-sized businesses want to sell their products in
packaging that does not harm the environment.
That's why every cardboard product in our range is made from
a minimum of 80% recycled cardboard. This means that when you order
personalized packaging from us, you receive a product that was in another life
a school book, a cereal box or an EDF bill.
If you want to get started with eco-packaging, check out Packhelp's
range of custom packaging or contact us so that we can assist you in designing
your eco-friendly packaging.
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