Today, sustainability no longer seems to be the future of the packaging industry. Being sustainable and predictable officially in the current package design and corporate responsibility has become a part of the future. Sustainable packaging is a better option for the environment and an excellent investment, especially for brands that pursue a positive image in the consumer's eyes.

The biggest obstacle to the growth rate in the packaging market was the high cost it brought with it, but this situation is changing day by day within the scope of developing technical standards. Deciding how to design for sustainability may seem complicated and costly. Still, it will become a worthwhile endeavor that will not only become imperative over the next decade but will sooner or later bring considerable benefits to brands that embrace it in some way.

What is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging materials encompass a variety of environmentally friendly packaging materials, practices, and design ideas, including zero waste options. These are not limited to physical packaging materials, either. Sustainability in packaging includes the entire supply chain.

Manufacturers and brands of all sizes have the option to adopt any combination of sustainable practices to make their businesses more environmentally friendly. The aim is to prolong the life of our planet and all living things living there.

In general, packaging sustainably should follow some of the following fundamental principles: First, the Sustainable Packaging Association (SPA) has determined that for a package to be considered sustainable, the following four characteristics must be present:

Effective: Provides value by protecting ingredients within the supply chain and supports responsible and responsible consumption.

Efficient: The packaging line and machinery used are designed to use materials as efficiently as possible throughout the product life cycle.

Cyclic: Materials used in packaging are continuously rotated through natural or technical systems to minimize spoilage or the use of remediation additives.

Safe: All parts of the packaging must not pose any risk to human health or the planet.

Packaging materials must come from recyclable, renewable sources. Using post-consumer recycled materials, materials that do not contain hazardous chemicals or carcinogens, or ensuring that packaging materials are biodegradable or recyclable.

You should avoid waste wherever possible. This avoidance strategy includes streamlining packaging to be leaner, requiring less material, and making plant operations more efficient. Look at the machines in your packaging line. New technologies are available to reduce or even eliminate packaging waste from production. Consider your product lifecycle. Find ways to implement green initiatives at any existing touchpoint on your product's journey to the consumer and beyond. Include product shelf life and increased lifespan with optimized packaging materials.

What is the Impact of Sustainable Packaging?

Today, the packaging industry as a whole has damaged the environment. From the materials and processes used to manufacture them to the waste and landfill culture, there are many aspects of a packaging lifecycle that each plays a role in contributing to environmental issues and even health. If it means reducing your carbon footprint and reducing the use of harmful packaging products, alternative packaging methods are also something to consider today.

Chemicals used in manufacturing certain common packaging materials such as bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been linked to various health problems, including fertility problems, even cancer. Polyolefin packaging films are free of hazardous chemicals like these. They have proven to be more durable, and shelf appealing than alternatives, plus they're 100% recyclable and FDA-approved as food-safe. Many packaging materials also have a massive impact on the environment. Packaging accounts for more than 23% of the waste that goes to the landfill every year, not including the amount wasted and dumped into roads, rivers, and oceans, polluting waters, and damaging ecosystems.

Consider that and your brand's packaging choices. Are there opportunities to reduce the amount of material you use or find a more recyclable packaging option? Doing your best as a brand to incorporate more sustainable practices and packaging will have a lasting positive impact on your consumer.

How Brands Benefit from Sustainable Packaging

There are many ways a brand or manufacturer can benefit from focusing on sustainability in their production. A significant advantage of environmentally conscious packaging is attracting a demographic of environmentally conscious, like-minded consumers to your product. This demographic is overgrowing, and if you are not now supporting the eco-friendly movement with your brand, you will fall behind your competitors in the market. It is an arms call for your product lines! As people become more aware of the harmful effects of modern life (including packaging) on ​​the environment, the customer base of environmentally friendly companies will grow steadily.

Leading companies like Walmart and Coca-Cola have already invested in sustainability-related packaging, partly because it's a profitable transition. The Coca-Cola Company has made product packaging more sustainable by using recycled and renewable materials and adopting more resource-efficient designs. Coca-Cola reported that it had saved about $180 million a year since investing in sustainability.