Is Sustainable Packaging Worth It?

Maybe you are a business owner looking at your competitors, they’ve just implemented sustainable packaging before you have even thought about it. Or maybe you’ve read about it, but still not sure. This quick guide will give you your answers.

With packaging forever changing and more and more solutions entering the marketplace, its important to keep up-to-date with it all. The last 5 years, organisations have set sustainable policies and goals for their businesses to reduce their impact on the environment. And most business start with reviewing their products and packaging. It’s one of the easier places to start hitting your goals

“Is sustainable packaging worth it?”

“What is the point of sustainable packaging?”

“Do people even care what package their product is in?”

“Can you customise sustainable packaging?”

Lets dive in …

What Even Is Sustainable Packaging?

Definition: In simple words, it’s a recyclable and safe material for people and the environment, lessening our carbon footprint and environmental impact. The packaging is expected to protect the product and communicate its features, while embracing material reuse and waste reduction.

Other names: green packaging, eco-friendly packaging, eco-conscious, environmentally friendly

Common Uses: Any type of packaging can be made more sustainable, whether it be switching totally to a sustainable material like paper, or reducing the amount used.

Why Are Businesses Switching To It?

Choosing the right materials for your product packaging can have a big impact on the success of your product. Whilst packaging is used to promote your brand and protect your product, it is also essential in giving consumers the right image of your brand.

Sustainable packaging has become increasingly important to every brand as more and more consumers are taking note of a brands commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices and operations.

Let’s go over 5 top reasons brands are switching to sustainable packaging ..

1. It shows corporate social responsibility

Part of your corporate social responsibility is to enhance the environment and society and not contribute to its destruction. As consumers have become more aware about climate change, they are constantly checking the sustainability of the companies they purchase from and if they intend to have a positive influence on the world

2. It decreases your carbon footprint and shipping costs

A high percentage of organisations worldwide have set goals to reduce their carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Sourcing your packaging locally will reduce your transit time, costs and emissions, thus helping you hit your goals. In most cases, paper can weigh less than other materials used in packaging again reducing your shipping costs.

3. Attract and retain customers

Studies have shown that consumers are now far more likely to spend money on sustainable brands. Plus, 75% of the UK population want online retailers to use more eco-friendly materials when packing their orders to minimise waste. With consumers wanting brands to become more sustainable, it’s important to attract and retain customers that you follow through with this and meet the consumer demand.

4. Reduce costs

There are many misconceptions around the cost of sustainable packaging solutions. With paper packaging now becoming one of the most popular packaging material, the cost has significantly decreased and become competitively priced.

5. Easily customisable

Whether you run an eCommerce store or a home business, there are endless options of sustainable packaging solutions to choose from. Adding your own logo will only strengthen your brand story and promote your name. With paper being a lot easier to brand, its become a popular option for any brand wanting to promote their business through their packaging. Even items like paper tape and paper mailing bags can be personalised to suit your brand.

How Do I Make My Packaging Sustainable?

There are many ways that you can make your package more sustainable without purchasing a whole load more stock:

• USE LESS PACKAGING – Simple but obvious, using less packaging is going to use less resources. Also reducing less space in transit and less packaging for the customer to dispose of.
• USE THE RIGHT SIZE PACKAGING – A big problem with packaging is the “empty space”. Using packaging which fits your product, reduces your shipping costs, material costs, and resources. Review your product range to determine the right sizes packaging.
• AVOID MIXED MATERIALS – Using plastic tape on boxes makes your cardboard carton no longer recyclable. A product you should start using is paper tape, not only reduces your plastic waste but makes your carton fully recyclable.
• SOURCE LOCALLY – You should note where your suppliers sources their products from. If they source from the UK/EU then less emissions are used when shipping them across. This will help reduce your carbon footprint.

These are just a few ideas, but there are many out there. Just remember, start small, start by changing one thing, test it out and then implement it through your business.

How Do I Get Started?

We believe the first step is to review your current packaging to see what you are currently using. Get as much certification of your suppliers as possible.

Make a decision on what type of material you are going to use, is it paper, cardboard, recycled plastic, something else?

Then find a range of suppliers, gather their certification, ask for samples and test.

Testing is a hugely important part, you don’t know if customers will like it unless you test it. Ask customers what they think, gather their opinion.

Once the whole team and your customer agree, implement the packaging business-wide and market it to all consumers out there.

Make The Switch From Plastic To Paper Today..

It doesn’t have to wait, you can start today. Start with paper tape, it’s simple to order, even customisable, add your own logo. Get it ordered, try it out and review the results.

If you are an eCommerce business, one of the most impactful ways to become more sustainable is to revamp your packaging and choose paper-based solutions. It not only reduces your carbon footprint, but can retain customers and increase sales.

If you need some help, our friendly team are here to support you through the process. Give us a call, drop an email, use the live chat, book a meeting, anything, we will help you.