Every business knows it's important to reduce your impact on the environment, but did you know that failing to do so could hurt your bottom line? Millennials and Gen Z are pushing brands to be more eco-conscious, and depending on where you live, using sustainable packaging strategies like cardboard could become a legal requirement in the years to come - meaning that you could face hefty fines if you don't. do not use 'T.
Se64%vonConsumers are willing to pay a premium for products that meet sustainability practicesNow imagine how much bigger that number will be next year or the year after that? If you want to use eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging but aren't sure what the cost is or where to start, let us walk you through the basics.
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What is eco-friendly product packaging design?
First things first - what the hell iseco-friendly packaging practices, however? Sometimes called sustainable packaging,ecological packagingit is a package that reduces its ecological footprint over time, whether through the ingredients used, the production process or its recyclability.
In most cases,ecological packagingmeets more than one of the following points:
minimizes waste
Uses recycled or biodegradable materials
Uses renewable energy during production
It is safe for consumers and the environment
Meets cost and performance requirements
Unfortunately, there is no universal standard that a product must meet before it can be considered environmentally friendly. This makes it very difficult for companies to find environmentally friendly packaging or shipping materials. Thankfully, companies like CarePac go the extra mile to ensure their packaging meets the highest standards and tick all of the above on the list.
Yes, that's right - we do the heavy lifting for you, so you can be sure that yourEco-packaging solutionsare as good for the environment as they are for your bottom line.
Biodegradable x compostable x recyclable packaging: what's the difference for your brand?
If you're looking for eco-friendly packaging solutions, you're likely to come across these three words that are used over and over again - and often interchangeably. Not to add to the confusion, but they actually refer to three different processes and we think it's important for our customers to understand the differences so they can offer sustainable packaging that's right for them.
recyclable
Recyclable materials still have useful chemical properties after serving their original purpose and can be recycled into new products after use, although they can usually only be recycled once.
Compostable
Compostable packaging will biodegrade in 180 days or less under controlled composting conditions – high humidity, high temperature and presence of bacteria. Most compostable materials must be sent to a dedicated composting facility for composting.
Biodegradable
biodegradable materialsthey don't have to be shipped to a specific facility or exposed to a perfect mix of humidity, temperature and bacteria. Instead, they are broken down and decomposed in their natural environment. This is true "sustainability.“
As you can see, the differences between the three are in how they break down in the environment and how the consumer needs to be involved in breaking them down. While all three are technically "green", it depends on what you choose.Factors we discuss on this page.
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Why should you use recycled packaging materials?
As discussed above, the world is moving towards becoming more planet-friendly. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize sustainability over cost when shopping, and considering they are the largest group of shoppers, it makes sense to have their needs met.
Plastic is also a major contributor to pollution – it can take up to 1,000 years for plastic to biodegrade. Which brings us to the next point: recycling.
Many companies focus on using recyclable materials, but unfortunately this is the truth.9% of the world's plastic is actually recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and the oceans. Why may you ask? Well, there are several reasons, including:
Rejected by local or regional waste disposal facilities
It is not uncommon for a recycling facility to reject contaminated plastics. Many Americans are unaware that they need to wash used plastic such as ceramic plate or glass mug; Plastics must be completely free of food residue before being accepted by a recycling facility.
Plastics degrade over time.
Contrary to popular belief, most plastics can only be recycled once. Yes, you read correctly; This plastic Coke bottle is only recycled once at a recycling plant and then it ends up in the landfill along with all the garbage. sad right?
consumer apathy
We've all seen someone throw a plastic bottle into the trash can when there's a trash can literally right next to it, right? Some consumers just don't care about sustainability, and no matter how hard you press them to recycle cans and bottles or put instructions on them, they never will.
If you choose eco-friendly packaging from the start, you don't have to worry about any of the above. Consumers are forced to implement sustainable packaging solutions, do not have to worry about degradation and are not rejected by waste treatment plants. Talk about a win-win-win situation.
Sustainable packaging strategies for your business
From labels made from sweet potatoes or other plants to bioplastics, there is a seemingly endless array of eco-friendly packaging alternatives to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones. Please keep in mind that as we are a packaging company, the following packaging solutions include - if you are interested in becoming more sustainable in other areas of your business,Click here to learn more.
paper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard are some of the most common materials used in packaging, and the good news is that they are environmentally friendly. There's no need to swap out your boxes for a more eco-friendly packaging alternative.
bioplastics
PLA, or polylactic acid, is made from fermented vegetable starch (think: corn, cane sugar, or beet pulp). It is considered safe for food contact and is transparent, rigid, odor barrier and has printable properties. Other common bioplastics are cellulosic plastics and PBATs.Learn more here.
Poly-Mailer
Made from bio-based materials, our recyclable and compostable polyester envelopes are strong enough to withstand the mail, yet won't take up unnecessary space in landfills for hundreds of years. In fact, our compostable bags decompose in just 90 days! You can learn more about them here.
corrugated cardboard bubble plastic
Although we don't sell this item, we still think it's important. Instead of using bubble wrap or Styrofoam (both of which are harmful to the environment), you can wrap fragile items in corrugated cardboard. It is made from 100% recycled cardboard and can be recycled and composted.
Avoid other environmentally harmful packaging practices
In addition to using the wrong materials, there are other practices you can avoid if you want to be greener. Here are some to consider.
excessive packing
Does something the size of a pen need to be packed in a package that won't fit in the mailbox? Probably not. Do you really need to pack layers and layers of tissue paper or bubbles in a package that doesn't carry anything fragile? no As a business owner, you should ask yourself these questions before submitting. When in doubt, always opt for the smaller box.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is the term for companies that try to convince the public that their products and policies are environmentally friendly. Nothing is worse than a company that claims to be eco-friendly but isn't. So if you're not being eco-friendly right now, don't bother saying so.
Do not send items together
Another common practice, particularly popular on Amazon, is to ship items one at a time as soon as they are available in stock, rather than waiting for the order to complete. At a minimum, give consumers the option to ship all items in one box. You might be surprised how often consumers are willing to wait, especially when ordering a gift or other non-essential household item.
If you weren't convinced before about using eco-friendly packaging, we're sure we've convinced you now. Read on to learn what to look for in eco-friendly packaging and how to make the transition..
What you should pay attention to when it comes to eco-friendly packaging
Despite the above issues, there are many sustainable packaging strategies and options. If you're looking for the best eco-friendly packaging solutions, here's what to look for.
paper on plastic
It goes without saying, but always choose paper over plastic - at the grocery store and for your shipping solutions. Paper is renewable and naturally biodegradable. It's not plastic.
Go to FSC certified
When it comes to paper, look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products. They certify that the products come from a forest managed in an environmentally correct and socially responsible manner.
non toxic dyes
If your packaging uses dyes (almost all packaging does), choose natural, non-toxic dyes like soy rather than petroleum-based dyes. It is a little known fact that soy colored paper is easier to recycle.
Last but not least, if you have excess material, try giving it a second life by using it to pack fragile items in transit. Whenever possible, try to use something, whether it's excess fabric or extra paper, rather than throwing it in the trash. For more tips,Check out our blog post.
How to transition to eco-friendly packaging practices
So you're convinced - you want to switch to eco-friendly shipping practices right away. Here are some things
to consider when starting the transition.
slow transition
You might be in a hurry to get rid of all your unsustainable shipping options, but you need to phase them out of your warehouse gradually. Basically, it makes no sense to throw away what you have. Consume it and gradually replace it with more ecological options
Report your customers
A brand that is good for the environment must become known to customers – remember the statistic above about how 30% of customers are willing to pay more for sustainable products? Let them know you've switched to sustainable packaging!
order small quantities
Start small and test the packaging you choose. Part of testing how your customers like your new packaging is to do it in small batches. Fortunately, CarePac has low MOQs, so you can try a few different materials and sizes until you decide what you like best.
Adjust prices (if necessary)
Many of our customers feel that eco-friendly packaging is expensive, but this is not always the case. Regardless, it's always good practice to review your supply chain and pricing models to determine if you need to raise prices to maintain profitability.
Experience the Carepac packaging difference
At CarePac, we're with you every step of the way - we'll help you choose a material, perfect your brand, create the perfect package and decide on aecological packagingthat's right for you and your industry. Overwhelmed by options? We are happy to help you and recommend the right product for you! Do you have questions about the benefits of sustainable packaging or recycled packaging materials? We are here to help!
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