How Can Businesses Be More Environmentally Friendly with Packaging
Almost everything we purchase comes in packaging, from food and beverages to clothes to cosmetics. But packaging is often made from unsustainable materials. And, with more products available than ever before, plastic waste is an ever-increasing problem – filling up landfills, entering the marine environment, and severly damaging ecosystems.
With growing pressure from consumers to combat current climate issues, many businesses are looking for ways to adapt. Does this sound like your business? We’re not surprised! It’s a universal issue that’s impacting most businesses across the UK. When looking to bolster your sustainability processes, a great place to start is assessing the environmental impact of your packaging.
In this article, we delve into the environmentally friendly packaging solutions available that can help your business minimise its impact.
What Businesses Can Use Sustainable Packaging?
If the product you manufacture has sophisticated packaging requirements, you might read this and think that your business is fairly limited in its options for green packaging.
However, as more and more businesses are becoming eco-conscious, packaging manufacturers are coming up with innovative designs made from sustainable materials to meet your demands.
Sustainable packaging can come in a multitude of different designs to suit a wide range of products, from mailers and boxes, to sachets and bottles.
This includes packaging for products from industries which are notorious for single-use plastic and may require a drastic change in their operation, such as:
- Food and drink
- Health and beauty
- Fashion
- Medical
The right solution for your business is out there, and a packaging expert will be able to advise you on the best designs and materials for your products.
What Are the Business Benefits of Environmentally Friendly Packaging?
You might be wary of making significant changes to your packaging. After all, it means disrupting tried-and-tested processes. But are you aware of how doing so can benefit your business? Here are 3 business benefits of upgrading to green packaging.
Future-Proof Your Operations
Eventually, eco-friendly packaging materials will be the default choice of every business, so why not make the switch now? Being proactive provides you with a great USP that you can use to help grow your business.
A lot of businesses are facing mounting pressure from their customers, who are making eco-conscious decisions when it comes to their purchases. You don’t want to be marked as one of the last businesses dragging your feet to make the switch. And that leads us on to our next point…
Improve Your Brand image
Consumers are much more likely to support a business that is taking proactive measures to reduce their environmental impact with their packaging. It makes your brand more appealing and attracts new customers, as well as helping to retain your existing customers.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity for a PR exercise – be a maverick in your industry and lead the charge towards sustainability!
Packaging Efficiency
Business that have reduced the volume of their packaging to make their operations more sustainable have discovered additional benefits. Not only does it cut down on plastic waste, but it makes their supply chain and manufacturing process more efficient because it takes less time to package the product.
Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Now that you are familiar with the business benefits, you can begin to consider your options. Here are 5 eco-friendly solutions to help your business to find the best packaging for your product.
Recyclable Packaging
The first is perhaps the most popular and well-known solution, which is to create packaging out of recyclable materials.
This involves using materials such as glass, paper and metals that can recycled to create new products.
Doing this means that fewer raw materials need to be sourced, reducing your impact on the environment.
Compostable and Biodegradable Packaging.
Another option for sustainable packaging is to use biodegradable materials, of which there is no shortage of solutions. Alternatives to polystyrene and plastic include:
- Cellulose film
- Corn starch packing peanuts
- Bamboo cushioning
- Mushroom packaging
- Green cell foam
All of these options are just as durable and strong as plastic packaging, but will break down naturally under the right conditions, meaning less landfill contributions for your business – result!
Reduce the Volume of Packaging
You can reduce the volume of your packaging by having a bespoke design created for your product. Instead of a standardised box or bag that needs to be padded out by surplus plastic wrap and polystyrene, your product can be supported by design crafted to its specific measurement.
This provides the protection your product needs, while using minimal materials. Not only this, but your packaging is the first impression that a customer gets. Bespoke cut packaging can make this first impression significantly more impressive!
Benefits of Custom Packaging for Small Businesses >
Reusable Packaging
A popular method of prolonging the life of your packaging is to supply refills of your products so the original containers can be used again for storage – significantly reducing the use of plastic and glass.
Another option is to design your packaging to have multiple uses. For example, with an attractive design, the tins, boxes, or bottles you sell your product in can be kept as keepsake or for display purposes.
Bespoke Marketing and Packaging from Allegro Logistics
At Allegro Logistics, we offer a total project management solution, helping businesses design and manufacture environmentally friendly packaging that achieves their green goals and bolsters their brand.
But why stop there? Our end-to-end fulfilment model means that we can handle all the stresses of logistics – from storage at our warehouse to efficient packing and, finally, delivery and distribution.
To find out more about how our range of services can benefit your business, get in touch with one of our friendly specialists today.
