Discover Sustainable Packaging Strategies For Your Business!

Nowadays, engaging in sustainable practices isn’t something that companies do just because it’s for the greater good, but because it is increasingly becoming the standard and norm. Today we bring you six sustainable packaging strategies that will help foster your long-term relationship with customers!

• Use eco-friendly packaging material

One way to reduce packaging consumption is to use different types of recycled packaging materials. A good example is recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), whose incredible performance and recyclability make it one of the most sustainable packaging materials and offers a number of advantages. It is extremely light, strong and durable, thus less packaging is needed to protect products and it takes less energy to manufacture it than alternatives. Recycled packaging materials include paper, cardboard, wood, plastic, and aluminum. These materials can be cost-effective, and in most cases, they are just as durable as new materials. 

• Educate consumers with recycling best practices  

Use appropriate labeling on your packaging that will inform customers about the ways to recycle product packaging. A good idea is to clearly mark what kind of material your packaging is made of and if your packaging can be reused or composted. This will improve customer understanding and awareness and empower them to dispose of their packaging correctly. For a more customized experience, you could include a QR code that will lead to a page on your website where more information about recycling is provided. 

• Use plant-based materials 

One way to shift towards innovative and alternative packaging is plant-based packaging. Plant-based packaging utilizes organic matter and renewable vegetal sources to form the packaging around products. The abundant availability of raw materials for manufacturing plant-based packaging places less strain on the earth and its resource supply. Some of the types of plant-based materials you should consider are bioplastics, cellulose, mushroom mycelium, sugarcane bagasse, seaweed, coconut husk, shrimp shells.

• Use less packaging through the supply chain

There are dozens of touchpoints in your supply chain, both for your product and your packaging. Throughout these touchpoints, products are bagged, or bundled before they get to you, often using additional packaging. These layers are added to keep your product safe, clean and organized, but it isn’t difficult to find opportunities to get the same effect with less packaging.

• Partner with suppliers that employ sustainable practices

Choose to work with manufacturers that prioritize sustainability. Before you select and sign a contract with a supplier, do research about their manufacturing procedures and policies. Make sure they are using sustainable materials and they are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. If possible, check out their premises to get a first-hand look at their facilities, equipment, supplies, etc. From there, you can make an educated decision on whether or not to work with them.

• Build disposal and recycling best practices

When you choose your packaging materials, the next step should be creating a disposal and recycling policy. It is important that packaging materials, if not recycled or reused, are disposed of safely. There are several options for waste disposal. In addition to specialized facilities that sort and reuse materials, these options also include curbside recycling and drop-off centers at recycling facilities. One way to avoid packaging waste is to sell it on online marketplaces. In this way, you can find buyers on the marketplace who are interested in purchasing your packaging inventory and are willing to repurpose your waste by turning it into a whole new product.

Follow these strategies, and you should be able to optimize how you can further help the environment!

Visit Online Packaging Marketplace and buy high-quality, eco-friendly and recyclable packaging materials at a convenient price! Connect with buyers and sellers on a global scale and deliver packaging solutions in a sustainable and cost-effective way!