As the effects of climate change become more visible every year, being an environmentally friendly brand is more important than ever. Sustainable decisions decrease your impact on the planet and show customers that you follow through on your promises. One way to go green in a meaningful way is to commit to environmentally friendly packaging. Whether you produce coffee packaging bags or supplement pouches, here are four ways to up your green game.
1. Plant-Based Ink for Printing
Traditional printer ink has a long ingredient list:
- Solvents
- Lubricants
- Colorants
- Waxes
- Resins
- Drying agents
- Varnishes
Unfortunately, not all of these are environmentally friendly. However, there is an alternative: plant-based ink. You can choose from several types:
- Soy
- Linseed
- Safflower
- Tung
- Canola
- Caster
All of the above are biodegradable and sustainably made. They may also be more affordable since they’re renewable. Farmers can grow more of these plants and even ramp up cultivation if the demand increases. In contrast, traditional ink uses petroleum-based ingredients, which are finite. As their availability decreases, the price will increase.
2. Recyclable Parent Refill Pouches
Single-use plastics contribute to ocean pollution, putting marine life at risk. As a result, many consumers have moved away from single-use products in favor of reusable alternatives. For example, there’s a growing market for household cleaner refills.
Do you sell a product that consumers will need to buy more of? If so, offering refill pouches can reduce your environmental impact and appeal to a broader audience. Even better, you can provide recyclable or biodegradable refill pouches, ensuring your product is green at every level.
You can also save money by making the switch. Lightweight pouches don’t cost as much to ship, freeing up more funds for other purposes. Their flexible shape also means you can pack more in one shipment.
3. Customized Containers
Personalized food packaging ensures that what customers see on the grocery store shelves is what they get — namely, product instead of empty space. When packaging implies more product than customers actually receive, people justifiably get upset.
Fortunately, customized packaging can eliminate that issue. Additionally, it solves the problem of unnecessary waste, as you don’t need excessive inserts to keep your merchandise from rattling around.
Additionally, customization lets you convert printed information into digital. For example, you can link QR codes to additional nutritional data or your customer service webpage.
4. Sustainable Loose-Fill Packaging
Sometimes additional packaging is unavoidable — when you mail fragile items, for example. However, many loose-fill packaging options, such as styrofoam and plastic, aren’t environmentally friendly. Fortunately, there are more sustainable options:
- Organic cotton wool
- Biodegradable packing peanuts
- Corrugated cardboard
- Seaweed packaging
- Cornstarch packaging
- Air pillows made of recycled plastic
With the above, you don’t have to compromise between delivering a top-quality product and limiting your carbon footprint.
From stick pack packaging to stand-up pouches, plenty of containers can benefit from a sustainable makeover. Once you make the switch, you can proudly promote your brand as green. As a result, you can tap into new customer demographics, boost your profit and feel good about your environmental impact — or, more accurately, lack thereof.
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