We have just one livable planet, and we all are responsible for it. If you are a business looking to be eco-friendlier, then developing sustainable packaging solutions is a great route to go.
Developing and implementing the right sustainable packaging solutions can be a bit tricky but very much achievable. Here are a few ways to go about it.
Transition slowly
If you are just starting out on your sustainable packaging solutions journey, then take your time. You can start by ensuring that appropriate tests and research are conducted before fully launching into the world of sustainable packaging. Instead of simply overhauling your process at once, you could start with one or two aspects and give it a time frame. For instance, if your packaging boxes come in diverse dimensions, you would decide to begin with one size of your packaging boxes and observe how smoothly you are able to transition and what needs to be adjusted going forward.
Go plant-based!
This packaging method is quickly gaining ground. Resources made from biological sources are generally termed plant-based and is one great way to produce packaging materials that are eco-friendly. Supplies such as mushrooms, seaweeds, corn, and food wastes are excellent alternative sources of packaging materials. Keep in mind that the material choice is often dependent on the item you want to pack; if it’s food you are packing, certify that the material used for packaging does not affect the taste of the food item. Also, if it’s a weighty item, try to make sure that the material selected is durable, for instance, materials made out of ‘corn starch’ and ‘mushrooms’ tend to be more durable.
Going plantable
A much more effective and efficient sustainable packaging solution is plantable packaging. How exactly does this happen? These packages actually arrive with seeds inserted in them that enable consumers to plant after they have been used. To plant, you simply soak the fiber box for a minute in water and plant it an inch deep into the soil. They are usually healthy to mother earth. Plantable packaging is, however, only feasible for lightweight products, like cosmetics or jewelry.
Over-packaging
There is always the temptation to want to package your merchandise in a very appealing manner that is attention-grabbing. However, this doesn’t do anyone any good. You have to learn the best way to optimize your commodities and minimize the number of supplies that go into packaging one item, keeping in mind that upon arrival, the packages usually end up as waste. Work with suppliers who are also conscious of over packaging, and therefore use fewer packaging materials but not to the detriment of the item’s safety.
