Benefits of Eco-Friendly Packaging and Sustainable Packaging Processes
Eco-friendly packaging has become a rapidly growing trend and there is an increasing number of businesses looking to go green. In a study conducted by Green Business Bureau, 73% of people reported that their company is investing more in sustainable packaging. This trend has led to a surge in the production of new and innovative eco-friendly packaging materials such as recyclable plastics and biodegradable containers.
In line with this, we have outlined below what eco-friendly packaging is and the benefits it has on both the environment and the organisations who adopt it.
What is eco-friendly packaging?
Eco-friendly packaging, also known as green packaging or sustainable packaging, uses materials and manufacturing techniques to minimise energy usage and reduce the harmful impact on the environment.
Eco-friendly packaging is manufactured using biobased, biodegradable, or recyclable materials in order to minimise the use of new resources and reduce the volume of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere.
Biobased materials are substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms consisting of plant biomass, which when being processed release less carbon into the atmosphere than fossil fuels, producing a reduced carbon footprint. Biodegradable materials are substances that can be naturally broken down and utilised by microorganisms, releasing less carbon into the atmosphere than materials that need to be manually broken down.
Another main feature of eco-friendly packaging is that it is often produced using thinner materials, meaning lower volumes of material is required, making it more sustainable. Manufacturers also tend to use tougher materials or use a special coating during the manufacturing process to make the products last longer and encourage the reuse of the products.
At Taylor Packaging we supply a range of biodegradable products under the Nature-Tec portfolio and biodegradable packaging from Green Light.
Environmental benefits
Most people use packaging on a daily basis and consumers are looking for alternatives to reduce harmful usage of packaging materials on the environment. Using eco-friendly packaging materials and processes can have a huge positive impact on the environment, and with the continuous rise in global temperature, there has never been more of a demand for eco-friendly packaging.
Traditional packaging products are manufactured using energy that usually comes from fossil fuels which contributes high volumes of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Whereas biobased packaging materials release far fewer carbon emissions during production processes as the carbon emissions are derived from plant biomass rather than fossil fuels. Also, the usage of recyclable materials reduces the consumption of heavy-energy resources, therefore less greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint.
In addition to this, biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials have a positive impact on the environment even at the end of their product lifecycle. They either decompose naturally into nontoxic components due to the presence of microorganisms or can be reused. The waste of biodegradable materials can also support the future life of other living organisms, whereas traditional waste packaging ends up in landfills or oceans.
Organisational benefits
Going green with packaging is not only good for the environment, but also has a positive impact on the organisations that implement it.
In recent years, more people are constantly seeking out ways to make a positive impact on the environment without making any major changes to their existing lifestyle and the demand for sustainable eco-friendly products is growing every day. By using eco-friendly packaging, companies are providing their customers with a chance to make a positive impact on the environment, making their products more desirable.
Another key benefit of using more eco-friendly packaging is that it helps organisations to build and establish a more positive reputation and brand image, as it communicates to consumers that they care about the environment as well as portraying that they employ responsible business practices. As a result, these organisations may appeal to a wider audience, in turn driving more sales and attracting more repeat custom.
Using eco-friendly packaging also has economical benefits, as using lighter, thinner packaging reduces material and transportation costs.
As a leading provider of packaging solutions, we pride ourselves on our industry knowledge, experience, resources and facilities in order to produce the right packaging solutions for our customers. We supply our clients with more eco-friendly packaging solutions and guide them towards implementing more sustainable packaging processes.
Taylor Packaging is committed to enhancing packaging processes that are consistent with emerging environmental requirements. This is enforced by our ISO9001 and Environmental 14001 accreditations.
Find out more about the eco-friendly packaging products we supply here.