People care about the environment. This research shows that 75% of US consumers consider the environmental impact of their purchases. All the more reason why brands should start going green. It’s not a matter of power to make a significant impact but the dedication to help by not being a part of the problem.
Packaging waste makes up a sizable portion of the global garbage problem. These products, such as plastic bags, wrappings, containers, styrofoam sheets, packing peanuts and bubble wrap, will take more than 400 years to biodegrade while polluting and littering our land, streams and oceans.
By implementing sustainable packaging design, your brand will build a reputation through positive action. Refraining from traditional but harmful packaging design options communicates the intention to take responsibility.
Table of Contents
What Is a Sustainable Packaging Design?
Sustainable package design entails using packaging materials and methods that minimize the negative impact on the environment, society and economy. It is geared towards reducing the overall environmental footprint of the packaging, including its production, distribution, use and disposal.
Sustainable packaging aims to lessen the use of materials harmful to the environment, such as plastics, and to promote renewable and biodegradable materials. It also considers the entire lifecycle of the packaging, including its ability to be recycled or reused, its carbon footprint and its impact on the environment.
Sustainable packaging can take many forms, including packaging made from recycled materials, biodegradable materials, or renewable resources like bamboo or cornstarch. It can also include reused packaging, such as glass jars or metal tins.
Additionally, sustainable packaging can be designed to be more efficient regarding space and transportation, decreasing emissions and energy usage. So, how do you make your packaging environmentally friendly?
How To Make Sure That You Have a Truly Sustainable Design Packaging?
When you start creating sustainable packaging designs, it's best to consider the following aspects:
- The materials
- Design
- Production
- Distribution
- Disposal
- Life cycle assessment
Regarding design, sustainable packaging takes up limited space and is transportation-efficient, helping lower emissions and energy consumption. Also, it is made to be easily recyclable, reused or waste-minimizing.
Remember that energy-efficient methods and renewable energy sources are required to produce sustainable packaging. Moreover, the industrial process uses less water and produces less trash.
If your design complies with the recommendations, the transportation will involve fewer trucks on the road. Another thing you can do to improve the distribution process is to use electric or hybrid vehicles and rail or sea transportation to distribute your sustainable packages.
Eco-friendly disposal options for sustainable packaging include recycling, composting, and biodegradation.
Sustainable packaging minimizes the environmental impact of the packaging over its entire lifecycle, including its manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal.
If you’re unsure how to get started, check out these awesome examples of eco-friendly package designs to figure out all the options for your brand!
Best Materials for Package Design Sustainability
Your loyal customers will understand that this multi-layered process demands time and effort. But you can show your intention to help by switching to sustainable materials and design options.
Scientists worldwide experiment with sustainable materials and test their limits yearly, increasing possible options. You can use the most common options listed below or innovate with a material unique to your brand. This Rivelles packaging design is a great example!
Contrary to popular belief, your package design sustainability efforts don’t have to be expensive. In fact, switching to sustainable designs can help you save money.
Another myth is that eco-friendly packaging designs expose your product to harm. But many easily accessible materials offer an equal or better level of protection.
Here are some of the best materials that will make your packaging environmentally friendly:
1. Corrugated Cardboard
Like plastics, corrugated boxes have been a long-running option for packaging design. However, they aren't nearly as notorious for their effect on the environment.
Corrugated cardboard has been a standard form of packaging for decades. It is utilized for a ton of different products around the world.
Buying corrugated cardboard shaped into classic rectangular boxes is common. Or, you can get it as flat stacks and assemble the boxes by hand. Here are some ways you can utilize and customize these box packaging designs.
It is made from fiberboard that decomposes in nature without harming it.
Electronics, DVDs, consumer products and pre-packaged food items like cereal, chips and cookies are all frequently packaged in corrugated boxes.
2. Polybags
While we are used to plastic-made polybags, other materials can be used to make them. Biodegradable and compostable polybags are made from plant-based materials, such as cornstarch or potato starch, and can decompose naturally without causing harm.
Sustainable polybags are made from recycled plastic, reducing the amount of virgin plastic needed.
Polybags remain widely used due to their sleek body shape, pleasant hand feel, reflectivity and excellent flexibility.
The most popular polybag use is in packaging for various consumer goods, including t-shirts, business magazines, mailers, bed linens, pillows and many other items.
3. Metal
Metal is another option for your sustainable packaging design.
This material is easily managed at the end of its life, largely recyclable and robust. Metal is an effective and responsible material choice for many applications, including packaging design.
Metal is highly recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. Recycling metal requires less energy and resources than mining and refining new metal, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving natural resources.
Metal is a durable material that can last many years and withstand harsh environments. This means that metal products and packaging can be reused or repurposed instead of disposed of after a single use.
Metals, such as aluminum and steel, are lightweight and have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes them easy to transport and distribute. This reduces transportation emissions and energy usage.
4. Glass
Glass is an excellent sustainable packaging material because it's highly recyclable. Recycling glass requires less energy and resources than manufacturing new glass, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving natural resources.
The glass-made packaging is extensively reusable. You can incentivize your customers by motivating them to join your recycling journey. But they can also find new purposes on the consumers’ kitchen shelves (it can be used for storing spices or tea, for example), constantly reminding them of your brand.
You can also experiment with the shape and make custom sustainable packaging designs.
5. Mushroom packaging
Mushroom or mycelium packaging is one of the newer options for sustainable designs. It’s made of corn husks or rice hulls and is fully biodegradable.
Packaging designs using this material break down within months, reducing waste and pollution.
It emits fewer greenhouse gases than plastic and styrofoam, so this packaging material leaves a lower carbon footprint. The mushroom-based sustainable design packaging is also non-toxic.
This material can be molded into many shapes and sizes, making its design versatility far above average.
6. Bioplastics
In contrast to conventional plastics, which are created from non-renewable resources like crude oil, bioplastics are a type of plastic made from renewable resources, including corn starch, sugarcane, and potato starch. The term is derived from using bioplastics to create materials for packaging goods for storage, transportation, and protection.
Biodegradable and non-biodegradable bioplastics are the two main varieties utilized in packaging. As the name indicates, you should be looking for biodegradable bioplastics. They are made to decompose spontaneously in the environment, either by composting or through microbial consumption.
Unlike conventional plastics, bioplastics are more environmentally friendly. They can potentially lessen waste and pollution because they are manufactured from renewable resources and may be biodegradable.
Some varieties of bioplastics are even more energy-efficient to create than conventional plastics!
The Importance of Sustainable Design Packaging in a Nutshell
Eco-friendly packaging can be used in any sector.
You'll be able to find an eco-friendly packaging type that will suit your particular requirements, whether you're searching for packaging for groceries, apparel, cosmetics or electronic products.
Being open and honest about what makes a product "natural" empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their purchases and helps them feel better about their purchasing habits, knowing they are assisting in leading more eco-friendly lives.
So, aside from doing the right thing, you'll also build trust with your clientele by being an ecologically conscious business. Sustainable products are not only ethical; they are trending!
And the icing on the cake? Your transportation costs can go down. Using top-quality, eco-friendly packaging design can mean using less of it. So, you'll be able to transport more products in fewer shipments.
