Businesses should work to be sustainable. One of the best ways to switch to sustainable practices is with your packaging. Sustainable materials for packaging allow your business to put the environment first and cater to eco-friendly-conscious customers.
What is Sustainable Packaging?
Eco packaging materials or packaging must go beyond just putting materials in the recycling bin. Instead, eco-friendly companies of today must think about the entire life cycle of their packaging to help:
- Reduce waste
- Adopt green policies
Ideally, the materials that you choose will not harm the environment, while also ensuring that the production process is eco-friendly. You can begin switching to eco-friendly materials for packaging using the methods below.
7 Easy Ways to Switch to Eco-friendly Material for Packaging
1. Opt for Recyclable Materials
First and foremost, you want to purchase recycled materials for your packaging. The most common forms of packaging materials are:
- Cardboard
- Paper
Both of these materials make great packaging materials, and they can be used to prevent item breakage as well as for holding all the items you sell. The production process of the materials is environmentally friendly, and it's a sustainable practice if you choose the right suppliers.
Many suppliers will plant trees in the place of the ones that they use in the production process.
From a recycling standpoint, it's very easy to recycle both paper and cardboard. And as a business, the material is also very affordable, meaning it's a good option for both sustainability and affordability.
2. Start Using Biodegradable Packaging Material
Biodegradable materials for packaging are one of the best decisions you can make. Sustainable packaging starts with compostable packing materials. For example, packing peanuts that are made from Styrofoam takes upwards of 500 yearsВ to degrade in landfills.В
When customers discard of Styrofoam peanuts, they will remain in the landfill for centuries.
However, if you use biodegradable materials, these items are versatile and will begin to break down rapidly. For example, opting for biodegradable peanuts means that once they're wet, they'll begin composting right away.
Customers can even place these peanuts in their compost bins, allowing them to turn the packing material into compost for their gardens. On top of this, if you're involved in the apparel business, biodegradable materials do not hold a static charge.
Without a static charge, you don't need to worry about:
- Static causing clothes to stick together
- Electronics potentially becoming damaged
The most common materials that are used for biodegradable packaging include:
- Bamboo
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Cornstarch
- Organic fabrics
You'll want to discuss the materials that your supplier has available and find ones that are biodegradable. This single tip can make a big difference in your impact on the environment.
3. Remain Conscious of Air Pillow Material
Air pillows are another common packaging material. The pillows will help reduce item breakage by offering a soft "cushion," so if a box is dropped or mishandled, the pillow will absorb much of the impact.
Additionally, open spaces in boxes are filled with air pillows to stop the items in the box from wiggling around and breaking.
Instead, you can opt for:
- PaperВ
- Biodegradable peanuts
If you need to use air pillows and do not have an alternative that works well for your goods, you can choose to use packaging peanuts to fill the space. Proper packaging sizing will also help reduce the risk of too much space in the box, causing items to move around and break.
4. Invest in Reusable Packaging
Sometimes, the best way to move towards sustainable business practices is to invest in reusable packaging materials. For example, toy companies are working towards packaging material that actually becomes part of the toy when it's put together.
You can begin your own reusable packaging program with customers, too.
For example, you can reduce the cost of goods sold if the customer uses their own reusable bags. You can also ask customers to bring the packaging material back, and they'll receive a discount, too.
Take-out containers for restaurants are one form of packaging that works very well in the reusable space.
5. Choose Recycled Plastic When Possible
Eco-friendly sustainable packaging should, in most cases, be made from one of the materials listed previously. Plastic is notoriously bad for the environment, but there may be times when it's the absolute best choice for your packaging.
In this case, you can do the following:
- Use only recycled plastic
- Opt to use biodegradable plastic
Again, we're not advising you to use more plastic because it's going to impact the environment in ways that the previously mentioned materials will not. With that said, plastic may be your only option, especially if you need a material that is waterproof to protect your goods from being damaged.
6. Begin Educating Your Customers
Making the switch to sustainable packaging also means educating your customers on how to handle your packaging.
If your packaging is recyclable, make sure that you include a recycling icon and the words "recyclable" or "reusable" on the label. Take it a step further by encouraging buyers to recycle and explaining how it benefits the environment.
Make sure that you're also educating consumers on your social channels by letting them know that your packaging is recyclable.В
7. Partner with Sustainable Suppliers
Partnering with sustainable suppliers will make the transition to sustainable packaging smoother and easier. Most importantly, it will ensure that you're using truly sustainable packaging.В
Before committing to working with a supplier, ask about their manufacturing practices and processes. Do they truly prioritize sustainability and use eco-friendly strategies? If possible, visit their manufacturing facility to see their practices first-hand and determine whether they will be a suitable partner.
Making the commitment to switch to sustainable packaging is good not only for the environment but for your business as well. Customers want to do business with companies that prioritize sustainability and reducing their environmental impact. Sustainable packaging will help you gain their business and trust. Additionally, you will be doing your part to reduce your impact on the planet.
We offer a wide range of eco-friendly packaging that can help you start transitioning to sustainable practices.