Sustainable packaging is IN. 

There are so many different ways you can be sustainable with your packaging efforts. With more and more people clamoring for unique, and fun means to really improve your packaging and getting more customers, there’s now a growing clamor for sustainability. 

But what is it? Why are many people using this? Well, you’re about to find out. 

What Sustainable Packaging Is 

Packaging requires materials, many of which are finite resources. The problem is if we’re constantly using those, it will negatively impact the world around us.

For instance, look at our oceans.  With so much plastic waste from decades ago, sea life is choking on it, and we’re harming the animals. Not to mention the greenhouse gases that are emitted.

Sustainable packaging is packaging that’s friendly to the world around you. These include biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable forms of packaging.

Recyclable is, of course, packaging that’s easy to recycle. These are ones you dispose of at the curb, or at industrial sites. 

The biodegradable is one that naturally breaks down. We now have plastic that can easily break down, so you’re not harming animals.   They usually only take a few months to break down, compared to the centuries that regular plastic takes. 

Finally, we’ve got the compostable options, which are those that are thrown into compost piles out back to help the soil. They can also be thrown into composting facilities that offer industrial activities to really improve the soil and farming.

It all naturally benefits the planet and people love it. 

The benefits 

There are so many new benefits to this.

First of all, you’re helping the planet. One of the newest trends is the whole gamut of different sustainable packaging. For instance, did you know that there are packaging options based off mushrooms?  These can be better for some companies, as there are so many unique ways to save the planet. 

Speaking of, there’s versatility in the types of sustainable packaging that you can utilize. There’s of course simple recyclable packaging, or even reusable packaging to something that’s a little more  useful to your customers. For instance, if you are a clothing brand, you might want to consider reusable packaging where the packaging turns into something fun for customers. 

Finally, it markedly improves the brand reputation.   If your packaging is known to be more sustainable and useful to customers, while also helping the planet, highlighting that provides marked results. Customers will want to come to you because they see just how useful your packaging is, and the unique benefits that you offer. They see you care about the planet, which will put you over other companies. 

The Drawbacks 

Just like the pros there are some cons that you should also think about.

Probably the biggest one is that you do need to be mindful of the certain drawbacks of each type of packaging. For instance, recycling and compostable are easier to manufacture, but it does require your customers to be held accountable. If the means to get rid of packaging are too much work, expect your customers not to do this. 

Bioplastics are good, but it can impact the sustainable farming methods that one might’ve been using.    While it might seem greener at first, there is the reality as well that the packaging might actually harm farmland, especially if improper agricultural practices are happening. 

The simplest solution to all of this is to look at the options that you have and choose from reputable manufacturers that will help make your sustainable packaging a success on many fronts for you.