Everyone needs to reduce their impact on the environment, including brands and consumers. That is why many brands are continually adopting new ways to package their products sustainably, lessen the carbon footprint and save on costs at the same time. The idea of cradle to cradle, taking responsibility for a product’s environmental impact from the sourcing to the eventual disposal, is quickly taking effect.
That has led to innovative and eco-friendly packaging products to provide alternatives to unsustainable packages. From biodegradable containers to recyclable plastics, packaging companies such as TopPop packaging are doing everything to avail recyclable packaging.
Here are some environmentally conscious packaging options your business should consider.
Table of Contents
Paper and cardboard
The best thing about paper and cardboard is that they are organic materials; hence they are recyclable and biodegradable. Another advantage of using paper and cardboard as a packaging option is that it is reusable and readily available. If you want to ensure that your packaging is as eco-friendly as possible, try to source post industrial recycled paper or post consumer cardboards. Additionally, look for materials marked as FSC certified since it assures you that the material is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Recyclable plastics
At times, the shipping demands may hinder you from using other types of packaging for the safety of your products. Plastics tend to be preferable because they are sturdy and hygienic. Thankfully, recyclable plastics are available today, and they are sturdy enough to support heavy products. From spill trays to crates, drums, palettes, etc., you can opt to use recyclable plastics, reducing the negative environmental impact of non-reusable plastics.
Organic fabrics
The majority of brands use plastic bags as fillers when packaging, and they pollute the environment. An eco-friendly alternative is to use organic fabric for reusable bags. Different types of organic fabrics are available in the market, including recycled cotton, hemp, palm leaves, tapioca, and organic cotton. These materials are biodegradable and can start decomposing immediately when disposed of, unlike plastics that take more than 10,000years to decompose. Most importantly, bags made from organic fabrics are reusable.
Corrugated bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a commonly used packaging material and has been there for many years. Many businesses use it as a filler material to protect goods during transit, but it is not the eco-friendliest material being made of plastic. However, there are eco-friendlier alternatives. Corrugated bubble wrap is manufactured with up-cycled corrugated cardboard giving it an additional chance of life as a packaging material. Another alternative is bubble wrap made from recycled polythene.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch comes from maize plants or corn and has a hard plastic-like material that is biodegradable. It can be used in molded forms to produce packaging products and can also be used in its loose form as packaging fillers. It is ideal for the food industry and has a limited impact on the environment.
Final thoughts
Packaging materials impact every part of our lives in one way or another; therefore, adopting sustainable and recyclable packaging works to our advantage. Waste packaging that cannot be reused only ends up in landfills, where it might take thousands of years before decomposing. We can help the environment by seeking biodegradable and recyclable packaging alternatives.
