Why Using Eco-Friendly Packaging is a Good Idea?

The use of plastic in packaging has been a common practice for many years. The demand for “green” options is growing as concerns over natural resource issues mount. In a number of cities, government officials have passed plastic bag ban laws. There are a number of retailers actively working to reduce their carbon footprint. Several food retailers no longer use plastic bags, such as Whole Foods. In addition, Apple has been using recycled wood fiber for the last few years to make 60% of its paper packaging. Survey results show that more than half of Americans would opt for green products if they had the choice between green and non-green options.

The benefits of green packaging outweigh the costs over the long run, making it a viable marketing strategy. Today’s changing landscape demands them in order to remain competitive. When it comes to going green is an easy choice to make. It is often difficult for brand owners to understand what packaging options are available, how much they cost, and how to make marketing claims. In order to develop an eco-friendly solution, you need to take into account the specific conditions of your use and the methods for disposing of the material.

The Perfect Solution to the Problem

You should ensure that the material you choose reduces waste efficiently and effectively when choosing biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable packaging.

An eco-friendly package is feasible in three ways based on current standards:

1. Reduce your footprint by making the box smaller
2. Make your package out of recycled materials
3. Recycle and dispose of recyclable boxes sustainably

It is often the case that paper is the most effective material for packaging in a wide variety of situations. The folding carton is a very common packaging material. Their mission is to provide sustainable, reliable shipping for a range of products, from medical supplies to electronics.

Recycling materials make it possible to make folding cartons with barrier coatings of a sustainable nature. Folding cartons are lightweight, strong, and flexible, with the added benefit of being cost-effective.

Disposal and Packaging Options That Are Eco-Friendly

We are going to show you some eco-friendly packaging options that you can pick from. 

1.     Packaging that is Compostable

In the right hands, material that can compost can break down into humus in the presence of the right microbes. Neither toxins nor metals are released into the soil when they break down. A 180-day process is possible under the right conditions. There is, however, a very small chance that this will happen. A municipal or industrial facility that uses heat to break down the compostable waste is required to dispose of these products by ASTM standards to ensure that the product can break down properly. The disposal methods of clients are largely out of the control of retailers. A brand’s green efforts can only be successful through the proximity of compost facilities to major cities. Trash cans and landfills end up being the fate of most materials. Packaging for compostable items must avoid such practices, which are at odds with green living.

2.     Packaging that Degrades Naturally

Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break down biodegradable packaging materials. 

There are two methods used to achieve this: 

1. Anaerobic without oxygen. 
2. Aerobic with the degradation of oxygen.

No specific industry standards or rules apply to natural materials, unlike other sustainable products. Marketers often exaggerate the claim of biological value since virtually everything degrades in a year or 100. As a result, greenwashing has become too mainstream, and people do not know about its true impact on the environment. Marketers must now follow the Green Guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). As stated in the guidelines, biodegradable products “can and do break down in nature pretty fast when disposed of properly”. After reviewing the guidelines, however, the FTC still does not know how quickly such a product breaks down in nature.

3.     Recyclable Packaging: The Best Option for the Environment

On the other hand, Recyclable packaging can be made again after being used once. In the same way, as composting, recycling has factors that affect its efficacy. The decision to recycle a product must first be made by the end user. That specific material must be recyclable by their recycling center. There can be a great deal of variation between regions when it comes to recycling policies. There must also be no food taint in the product. For packaging that meets these specs, recyclable materials tend to be the most eco-friendly choice. Reusing material for the same purpose allows reusing. Recycled materials require energy, but they extend the lifecycle of your products. Recycling material can also be used by firms instead of only end users to recycle.