Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, the phrase “going green” has emerged as a term to reckon with. Advances in industrial technology have created a dumping ground for toxic compounds that pollute the environment and disrupt our ecosystem. More recently, countries around the world have become aware of the challenge of going green. Retailers have been the first to respond with its introduction. The “Go Green” philosophy has forced us to rethink even our packaging methods and discover more ecological ways of packaging our products. Companies that have adopted such systems are making a loud and clear statement to the world. These companies say they care about the future of our world and will do their bit to conserve the world’s resources.
Definition
Eco-friendly packaging is packaging that uses environmentally friendly materials in its production. Most of the materials used are recycled paper or biodegradable packaging.
Biodegradability means that substances can be broken down into more basic structures by other living organisms acting on them. Through these chemical reactions, the substance in its original form no longer exists and breaks down into smaller substances that naturally combine with the ecosystem. Green packaging is one of the hottest global ethical trends. Large companies in Europe, Japan, China and the United States now prefer packaging made from recycled materials that are biodegradable. Now that biodegradable packaging has become profitable with new technology and increased demand, most of these companies are actually counting on increasing their sales due to their switch to biodegradable packaging. Several studies show that consumers would be willing to pay a little more for packaging that is environmentally friendly. Green packaging also adds brand value to a product. It shows that a company is willing to give up a portion of its profits to preserve the earth’s resources. This is especially true if the product itself is organic. For example, mineral water sold in biodegradable containers creates an impressive brand image. Cosmetics and natural health products would also improve their brand image by adopting eco-friendly packaging. Some of the most popular eco-friendly packaging methods and materials are:
Biodegradable Plastics Plastic containers, derived from petrochemical products, have contributed significantly to our environmental crisis. Alternatively, bioplastics are made from plant sources such as potato, wheat or corn. Bioplastics are recyclable, unlike petrochemical plastics.
Paper recycling Recycled paper is also an option for green packaging, including 100% recycled cartons.
Metal Metal is a stronger and more durable recyclable packaging material. Some of the more advanced alloys are lighter and more versatile for packaging purposes.
Minimizing waste Overpacking has become an overnight no-no in the packaging business. The end result is resource conservation and overpacking or packing a product more than necessary is considered an absolute waste of the earth’s resources.
Using reusable recyclable packaging Not only is eco-friendly packaging made from biodegradable materials, but the packaging itself must be recyclable for later use. This is called Post Consumer Recycling (PCR). More companies that use eco-friendly packaging prefer recyclable fibers.
Energy-saving, eco-friendly packaging manufacturers Consumers also give more preference to packaging made with pollution-free and renewable energy. For example: manufacturers of ecological packaging that work with wind energy.
More Companies Go Green Packaging Chalone Vineyard, based in Soledad, California, was one of the first companies to adopt green packaging in 2002 and received international awards for its achievements. Wild Oats started the green packaging trend by being the first grocery store to use biodegradable packaging made from corn, instead of petroleum. The famous chain store Wal-Mart is also using biodegradable packaging made from corn. Nordstorm and Macy’s began producing 100% recyclable shopping bags in April 2008. In Europe, eco-friendly packaging was introduced to the cosmetics industry in March 2006. Since then, 600 products use eco-friendly packaging, as reported by the database. global data of new products from Mintel. . More and more companies are using paper pulp molds made from cardboard, newspapers and recycled cardboard. This is used as shockproof packaging for packing cameras, household appliances, glassware, etc.
Rapid expansion of biodegradable packaging This new trend in biodegradable packaging is seen in the rapid growth of biodegradable packaging manufacturers, who are struggling to keep up with market demands. Cereplast, which is a packager of bio-based cosmetics, reported a 134% increase in sales during the first quarter of 2008. Whether companies report real profits after adopting green packaging is not the crucial question here. The importance is in joining forces with a worthy world cause for the future of our generation and generations to come. These are companies that choose to be kind to the environment and consumers who care enough about the environment to prefer products that are green in every way. This is the future trend, and those who miss this opportunity may be left behind.