Sustainable packaging

Courtesy : packhelp.com/

Simply put, it is packaging that, over time, reduces its environmental footprint.

This can happen in a number of ways:

• Ingredients: Using raw 100% recycled or raw materials
• Production process: By minimising the production process, supply chain and carbon footprint
• Reusability: Creating a circular economy around the packaging, extending its life cycle and usability.

It’s simple to say that eco packaging is entirely about the environment. It also should take into consideration economic and social factors.

For example, plant-based packaging may seem like a viable option. But quite often that means clearing endangered rainforests to grow crops.

Eco packaging needs to consider the economic factor. It needs to be priced competitively over traditional oil-based/single-use packaging options.

So yes, the definitions can get a bit messy at times!

A fancy label that says ‘eco-friendly’ doesn’t mean that it’s sustainable. Similarly, labelling something as sustainable doesn’t mean that it’s ethical.

But here’s what’s most important if your brand is considering a change:

Do your own research.

Definitions aren’t always black and white. It pays to ask your packaging manufacturer a number of questions. 

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is a great resource. Here, you can see the certifications of certain brands and products. It’s also a great way to further your knowledge of recyclable packaging in general.  

Want to know about what Packhelp’s doing to further packaging sustainability? Click here to learn more

There are also other bodies, like the Forest Stewardship Council. They ensure that any wood-based products (like cardboard boxes) are made from sustainably-sourced forests.

Sustainable product packaging, coupled with sustainable package design, is a potent combination. These characteristics can be a great way to set your brand above your competitors.

What is sustainable design in packaging?

Sustainable design is designing product packaging with the main purpose of doing as little harm to the environment as possible.

This can be achieved by using recycled material. You can also do this by designing your packaging with another purpose in mind.

For example, this shopping bag from H&M transforms into a clothes hanger.

Not only are these bags made from less material than H&M’s traditional plastic bag, but the paper is 80% recycled.

H&M knows its audience is people between 18 and 35. They know that these people care about the environment.

H&M know their customers appreciate brands with eco and reusable packaging solutions.

Therefore, sustainable design with reusability in mind increases brand loyalty amongst their audience.

Here’s another example.

We’ve recently analyzed the supply chain of IKEA, and how the global leader started to invest in biodegradable types of packaging made from mycelium fungus. The change has been a pioneering example of leaving styrofoam behind – the common resource used to secure products in cardboard packaging.

Our Packaging engineer Artur Oboleński shared his thoughts on the cutting-edge technology. Read it here.

While it might seem like that, sustainability in packaging isn’t just about eco-friendly packaging materials.

Simply using less material, regardless of what that material is, can work wonders, too.

Value engineering is the process of redesigning packaging from the ground up with the aim of saving money – and believe it or not, most money can be saved by using less packaging. That was the case of Raylo – a London-based start-up which optimized its packaging by using less materials.

The results?

Raylo achieved an 11% decrease in packaging costs, as well as a 25% reduction in weight.

See how Raylo lowered their packaging costs

Packhelp’s team of packaging engineers scrutinise over your current packaging options and ensure that your solution is designed to use the least amount of material as possible.

Read below to see some examples of green packaging design.

Environmentally friendly packaging examples

The switch to sustainability requires some research. You need to see how it can best complement your packaging design.

Look at the examples below to see several examples of brands that have done exactly that.

Stripe & Stare

Fast fashion emits more CO2 per year than every single commercial flight in the same time frame. 

It’s safe to say that big fashion retailers are a major contributor to increasing emissions.

Stripe and Stare knew this, and wanted to take a product that we all need – underwear – and make it more sustainable. 

Made from Tencel, a natural fabric produced in Austria from Beechwood trees, Stripe & Stare’s products are three times softer than cotton and uses 95% less water than cotton. 

Plus their underwear is entirely compostable.  

The brand obviously needed packaging to suit these same values. 

Eco-mailer mailer boxes were the ideal solution, but the brand went one step further and perfected the number of packaging products they use.

Rather than adding in void filler, the brand used boxes that were as thin as possible.

The result is less empty space inside the box, and less raw material used to create the packaging. 

And this is a valid point – sometimes being sustainable isn’t just about the material, it’s about the amount. 

Featured product: Eco shipping boxes that suit Royal Mail shipping dimensions

Sunad

Sunad is a Spanish brand that uses natural fibres to replicate classic, timeless fashion. 

Not only did the brand want to implement a natural and sustainable packaging solution, but they also wanted a design that would match the colours and hues of their garments. 

Their first idea was an eco mailer box, but they soon realised that their soft and durable pants, blouses and accessories didn’t need heavy corrugated cardboard. 

In the end, Sunad started using expandable kraft mailers.

These mailer bags are a unique form of clothing packaging and let the brand leverage the natural kraft texture of paper pulp, while also keeping material usage at an absolute minimum. 

Featured product: Expandable kraft mailers

Hemp Juice

Hemp Juice is a Polish seller of CBD products. They needed environmentally friendly and custom CBD packaging to showcase their range of oils while creating a memorable and branded unboxing experience.

Using two packaging products and the use of colour to distinguish their products from each other, Hemp Juice has used recycled and recyclable cardboard to implement packaging that leaves the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Featured product: Eco colour mailer boxes and custom pouch packaging.