What is the Most Sustainable Packaging Option for your Eco-friendly Products?
We all know how important it is to reduce our small businesses impact on the environment, but have you thought about how your products are packaged and shipped to your customers? More now than ever, sustainability and product lifecycle assessments are a higher priority for both brands and consumers. With many brands now designing and manufacturing their products to be kinder to their triple bottom line.
Over the last few years, there has been an increasing development of more plant-based and biodegradable plastic packaging. Consumers are also becoming increasingly aware environmental issues such as waste. The packaging and shipping of your products sustainably is no longer an option but necessary in order to build a brand that reflects not only yours, but your customers values. By taking the extra step to package your products with eco-friendly materials, it not only shows you care about people and the planet, but it also helps to increase brand trust, loyalty and transparency.
With so many sustainable options on the market, it has never been easier to implement sustainable packaging options. But what do we actually mean when we talk about sustainable packaging? What’s the difference between sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options?
30 Instagram Post Ideas for your Eco-friendly Business
download your free cheat sheet now!
What is Sustainable Packaging?
Sustainable packaging is packaging that has a lower environmental impact compared to conventional packaging options. This lower environmental impact can happen a number of different ways and at any stage of the package’s lifecycle. Sustainable packaging options are mainly designed and manufactured to be reduced, reused, recycled or composted.
It is important to to remember that sustainability is complex, and its definition is not black and white. For packaging to be sustainable, it must consider social and economic factors, not just environmental factors. Packaging that is eco-friendly or in other words, only considers the environment, may not be a feasible option for brands, meaning it is not sustainable. Compostable packaging is not always a sustainable option either, as not all consumers have a home compost bin or access to a local compost facility. This means, more often than not, compostable packaging will end up in the general waste stream – this is also due to the lack of education and regulation around the use of green labels and claims. Basically, just because packaging is labelled eco-friendly or green, it does not mean it is sustainable. Does this make sense? If not, contact us!
RELATED: BACK TO BASICS FOR SMALL BUSINESS: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY & HOW CAN IT BE ACHIEVED?
What is the Most Sustainable Packaging Option?
Finding the most sustainable option for your business means choosing a packaging that reduces its impact on the environmental, social and economic factors at each stage of its lifecycle – from the extraction of raw materials in order to manufacture the packaging to the disposal of the packaging after its been shipped.
If you want to grow your eco-conscious brand, you will want to attract not only conscious consumers, but the masses. Consider asking yourself, can all my customers, no matter their interests or values, use and dispose of my product packaging correctly? How much effort is involved for the consumer to properly disposal of my packaging?
RELATED: LIFE-CYCLE SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT: THE 6 STAGES OF CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PRODUCT
When jumping into the world of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging, it is best to start small, make easy changes, order samples and do your own research before deciding which packaging option best aligns with your, your brand’s and your customer’s values. Although there are some fantastic, innovative and stylish alternatives on the market, starting with paper or cardboard may be a great option, until you can be sure you understand all the sustainable packaging options and the impacts associated with them.
30 Instagram Post Ideas for your Eco-friendly Business
download your free cheat sheet now!
Sustainability and certain green terms may also mean different things to different consumers, so it is important to remember to clearly communicate your sustainable business practices with your target market and why these green credentials are important to your brand. It’s also important to educate your customers on the reasons why you use the packaging you do, why it’s the best option for your business, your products and for your customers, and the best ways to dispose of your product packaging. Don’t forget to also let them know of any changes your brand makes in regard to the packaging you use!
What sustainable packaging alternatives does your brand use? Why is this option the most sustainable for your business?