Green Strategy: Three Ways to Make Your Packaging More Sustainable

Sustainability is one of the leading global trends in packaging. In recent years, this issue has become increasingly relevant: many people around the world are concerned about the use of disposable goods, and for many of us, the most pressing issue is waste recycling. More and more manufacturers are embracing the idea of responsible consumption by offering products in sustainable packaging. Sustainability is becoming even more interconnected with profitability and success. Let’s take a look at how to get greener and how to make your packaging more sustainable.

Why is a green strategy important?

In 2018, the global wrapping paper market volume was estimated at $15 billion. These numbers confirm how much people love the packaging. But packaging is a mountain of waste. In Canada, for instance, half a million tons of packaging and gift bags are thrown away annually. And the rolls with gift wrapping – all this is also rubbish. Because despite the word “paper” in the title, most paper packaging is not recyclable as it can be covered with a thin layer of plastic. Bows and ribbons are also often glued to it. A wrapper decorated with glitter can even be dangerous to nature: such sequins are made from tiny pieces of plastic. Later, they enter water bodies and pollute them, and animals swallow these small particles together with water and accumulate them in their stomachs.

If you want to offer sustainable packaging

Imagine you are going to give a gift and you need eco-friendly packaging. For starters, you should look for the old holiday packaging, bags, and boxes that were given to you. Suddenly, something was left from the past holidays. And reuse. If you still don’t find them, you can wrap the gift in whatever you find at your home.

1. Kitchen towel. You will find a new kitchen towel in the house, and a present in it is already two gifts! You make your packaging more sustainable and give your friend a valuable present. An eco-bag can also become a “gift in a gift” – you should go to the store with them to avoid using plastic bags.
2. Furoshiki shawls. The item can also be wrapped in furoshiki shawls – a square piece of fabric. Furoshiki appeared in Japan even before our era, transporting valuable goods. Now it is an eco-friendly alternative to holiday packaging that can be used several times – tying it up or wearing a lunchbox in it. Back in 2006, Japan’s Environment Minister Yuriko Koike, who currently serves as the Governor of Tokyo, urged people to use furoshiki more often to reduce the amount of plastic.
3. Iron box. The product can be wrapped in a beautiful iron box – it will also be helpful packaging. After delivery, space will be freed up in it, and various small useful things can be stored there. There are even childproof packaging or CR packaging. This is often achieved through the use of a unique protective cover. This is required by regulations, for example, for custom cannabis packaging. In some jurisdictions, unit packaging is also regulated to ensure the safety of children while being environmentally friendly.

But what about the decor for packaging?

Natural things are suitable for decorating the packaging. Go to a park or forest and collect cones, leaves, cedar or pine branches, and chestnuts. You can also dry flowers in advance and stick them on the packaging. Cinnamon sticks are another excellent decoration option. They smell delicious and are compostable. Just tie them with a woolen thread and add dry fruits – apples or oranges. Cinnamon and fruit can then be added to tea.

In conclusion

We hope that you have learned that every time you ship a product, whether it is a business or giving a gift in person, as a rule, the packaging is thrown into a landfill or in a trash can. This means that you regularly generate waste, and it is even possible that these recyclable materials will not be recycled or reused. Fortunately, the switch to sustainable packaging that we talked about can benefit both you and the intended recipient of the packaging, not to mention the dramatic impact on the environment.