The way in which businesses are operating has started to change dramatically in recent years. In light of climate change for example, businesses have been forced to look into how they operate and how they can change to benefit the environment.
One area that’s being changed in a lot of businesses, is a shift to sustainable packaging. So, what exactly is sustainable packaging and why is it important? Below, you’ll find out everything you need to know.
What is sustainable packaging?
Sustainable packaging is a type of packaging that reduces its impact on the environment. It could be reusable, created using 100% raw materials or it could simplify and reduce the manufacturing and supply chain.
At one time, single use plastics were the main type of packaging used across the majority of industries. However, after the damage this was causing to the environment was revealed, there has been a huge focus on creating and using sustainable packaging.
Why is it important?
There are a number of reasons why sustainable packaging is important in business. The fact that it’s much better for the environment is one of the main factors pushing its popularity. Climate change, alongside damage caused by non-sustainable packaging, has shown the importance for change. Businesses know they have a responsibility towards the environment and it’s also something that customers want.
It may seem like a small step, but it can make a massive difference to the future of our planet.
The benefits it delivers to businesses
It isn’t just the environment that benefits from sustainable packaging. It can also deliver excellent benefits to your business too.
Parcel2Go states that customers are actively looking to do business with brands that care about the environment. So, by focusing on sustainable packaging it can really build up the brand of a business, helping them to attract more new customers. Customers feel so strongly about sustainable packaging that in a recent poll, 80% believed brands should be charged a tax to force them to invest in sustainable packaging.
By adopting sustainable packaging, businesses can show they care about corporate social responsibility. Sustainable packaging can potentially lower delivery costs as it often requires fewer materials to be used in its creation and this in turn reduces the cost to send packages.
Understanding current sustainable packaging trends
As with anything, the trends for sustainable packaging change year upon year. At the moment, the main sustainable packaging trends to focus on include:
- Recyclable packaging
- Replace single use plastics with bioplastics
- Minimise and remove packaging altogether.
Recyclable packaging is especially worth investing in. The UK has introduced new regulations which specify how much recycled content should go into sustainable packaging. The goal is to have businesses using as much recycled packaging as they can.
One of the more difficult trends to utilise is switching from single use plastics to bioplastics. Small and medium size businesses will find it a challenge to afford to switch to bioplastics. So, improvements will need to be made within the sector to ensure this is a viable option for all businesses.
Overall, sustainable packaging has become increasingly important in business. If your company isn’t yet focused on sustainable packaging, now is the time to start looking into it. The benefits it can deliver to you, your customers and the environment makes it well worth the investment.
