How Can Your Business Utilise Sustainable Packaging?

The need to be environmentally friendly is increasing with every passing day. Many businesses are looking for ways in which they can offer more sustainable packaging, not only because of their own corporate responsibility, but because online searches for sustainable goods have increased by 71%, showing that this is incredibly important to almost every customer base.

In this article, Ansini, specialist plastic manufacturers look at some of these sustainable packaging options that are available, and the ways in which your business could make use of them.

What is sustainable packaging?

Packaging has long been the source of huge amounts of waste, and this is often not easily recyclable. It also increases the size of many goods, which means fewer items can be transported in a single load, requiring greater levels of transportation and the associated impact on the environment.

Sustainable packaging looks at the entire packaging life cycle to ensure that it is beneficial, safe and healthy for the individuals that it comes into contact with. It should be sourced, manufactured, transported and recycled using renewable energy and should optimise the use of renewable or recycled materials.

It also needs to be made from materials that will remain healthy throughout the lifecycle of the packaging and be physically designed to optimise both materials and energy.

Paper packaging

One of the most environmentally friendly materials that we have available for packaging is paper. If it has been sustainably sourced and processed then it will be biodegradable, recyclable and can often be used for renewable energy.

For many consumers, paper is one of the easiest products to dispose of as the majority of people will have a paper recycling option at home. Paper is also not a finite resource if it has been taken from responsibly managed sustainable forests or if it is made from previously recycled paper sources.

Biodegradable bioplastic

It is easy to think that plastic can be a problem when it comes to sustainable packaging, but this is not always the case. There is now a significant market for bioplastics which are derived from renewable sources like corn, mushroom, seaweed and potato.

They not only come from a healthier and more sustainable source, but they are also biodegradable under the right conditions. This means that they are less likely to end up in landfill for many years to come and can instead be broken down in a way that will not be harmful to the planet.

Bamboo packaging

Bamboo is also becoming particularly popular for packaging as it is a rapidly renewable resource. This strong and durable plant grows extremely quickly and is also biodegradable and compostable. It can provide a very sturdy form of packaging, but it is important that it comes from a sustainable source that will not disrupt any habitats.

Sustainable packaging costs

As sustainable packaging is something that is still beginning to grow and evolve, it can come with higher costs. However, this is likely to reduce dramatically as its use becomes more widespread. It is important to remember that this can often be offset by the fact that it will be attractive to those customers who are concerned with finding value-aligned brands who are as committed to sustainability as they are. This can help your business to tap into new markets and give you an edge over your competitors.

Sustainable packaging is now something that every business needs to take seriously. It can have a significant impact on the carbon footprint of your business and also prove appealing to a wide range of consumers who want to ensure that they are buying responsibly.