It is encouraging that 84% of businesses believe global economic growth can succeed while meeting climate change goals (Deloitte, 2023). To meet these goals individuals and team leaders in the supply chain need better eco packaging solutions to pack, ship and display products without damaging the environment. Enter eco friendly packaging materials.
There are so many options when it comes to eco friendly packaging materials. As a manufacturer you need to understand what the earth friendly options are, and choose what suits your business needs best.
4 categories of eco friendly packaging materials
There are 4 categories of environment friendly packaging materials or sustainable packaging solutions that are non-toxic alternatives. We can use materials to package products that are:
1. Compostable – the material disintegrates into non-toxic, natural compost (in a home compost in up to 180 days), e.g. compostable bags and mailers
2. Biodegradable – material that decays naturally by bacteria, fungi or microbes, e.g. biodegradable packing peanuts
3. Reusable – an item that can be used again, e.g. reusable pallets, bins, or tanks
4. Recyclable – a material that can be recycled instead of filling up landfills, e.g. recycled paper packaging
Each of these categories offer effective eco friendly packaging solutions. Within each category there are many different options that help reduce pollution.
Why Should You Use Eco Friendly packaging?
The main goal of eco-friendly packaging is to promote product packaging advantages for business (such as increasing shelf life and product integrity) while reducing shipping costs and damage to the environment. Ecological packaging is better for the environment than traditional packaging.
Considering that the world turns out 141 million tons of plastic waste from plastic bottles and packaging a year we should be making a change. Eco friendly packaging offers manufacturing teams the option to protect the planet by using environmentally friendly product packaging options.
3 Benefits of Using Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
We know how much producers and consumers care about the negative effects of toxic packaging and its negative environmental impact. By using plastic free and eco friendly packaging options you will:
Uphold your earth friendly packaging beliefs: As manufacturers, you will meet your own business beliefs and those of your customers regarding sensitivity to the environment.
Reduce your carbon footprint: Most eco packaging solutions for recycled packaging are made from natural materials, so you’re automatically reducing your carbon footprint.
Minimize waste of precious resources such as water and energy: Eco friendly packaging is an integral part of the ‘circular economy’ as it consumes raw materials and restores them to their original state.
Eco Friendly Packaging Options to Maximize Business Benefits
Online shopping opportunities mean greater distribution possibilities for manufacturers to larger, more diverse markets. But this has a major impact on sustainability. Pitney Bowes says 2021 saw 159 billion parcels being shipped, and an increase of 11.5% annually is expected through 2027. However, we don’t want mounds of packaging waste – the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is already 1.6 million sq km and constantly growing.
This means we need to ensure the end user receives their delivery or in-store purchase in perfect condition, using durable, environmentally friendly protective packaging from production to sale.
High quality eco friendly packaging ideas meet distribution and retail needs as part of the manufacturing to sale process.
1. Eco Friendly Packaging Ideas for Product Packing
Products leave manufacturers and are transported to distributors or directly to large retailers:
Don’t. Wrap. Every. Single. Component. In. A. Separate. Plastic. Bag. Place multiple components in one container where possible and use biodegradable, recycleable materials for wrapping.
Reusable pallets, crates, and tanks that can be cleaned and used again or repurposed.
Use tough paper (kraft paper) and cardboard packaging instead of plastic to avoid plastic packaging waste.
Use custom eco friendly packaging for industry-specific solutions. Eco friendly custom packaging promotes your brand identity and is preferred by many consumers.
2. Eco friendly packaging for shipping products
Shipping products from manufacturers to distributors or directly to large retailers:
Use compact eco friendly packaging design and focus on using the right packaging size to save on space and ship more products in one go. Saving fuel is an added benefit.
Use these for shipping: Compostable pallet binders and labels, corrugated recycled cardboard and boxes. Biodegradable packaging peanuts in place of polystyrene, protective bubble sleeves, compostable, biodegradable poly mailers, and pillows made of recycled materials.
Sustainable delivery practices include using compostable packaging materials such as using biodegradable, eco friendly shrink wrap to protect cartons and retail ready packages during shipping.
3. Eco Friendly Packaging for Retail Display
Using sustainable packaging in retail display of products:
Provide retailers with point of purchase displays made of corrugated cardboard – which are easy to recycle. Some leading brands encourage retailers to use long lasting steel displays.
Avoid printed plastic retail display units. Instead ensure your packaging features clear, easy to read labels made from recyclable materials.
Use high-gloss, biodegradable, recyclable shrink wrapping for individual products to tempt purchasers while being environmentally aware.
Flxtite® and Ecolene® High Quality Eco friendly packaging Materials for Your Products
It’s time for your company to explore eco friendly packaging materials options. Our range of Flxtite® and Ecolene® shrink films offer custom eco friendly packaging options using bio-based, recyclable, and compostable materials that you can incorporate into your packaging sequence to save time, money and environmental damage.
You can use eco friendly packaging materials to pack, ship and sell your company’s products from the manufacturer all the way to glossy retail display of products within an efficient supply chain while caring about your carbon footprint.
The Folene range offers you customizable eco-friendly packaging materials, including Flxtite® AP-1 Non-irradiated Shrink Film -the fully recyclable and eco friendly shrink wrap that is known best for its pack, ship, and display potential:
high-rate clarity
eye-catching gloss
excellent puncture-resistance
shrinks uniformly around the product
Reach out to Folene Packaging today to learn more about Flxtite® and Ecolene®, some of the best eco friendly packaging materials available on the market.
FAQs About Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Which is the most eco friendly packaging material?
There’s no one answer to the question of “Which is the most eco friendly packaging material?” because different materials, even the most sustainable materials come with hidden costs. Many are subject to availability. Cellulose and fully biodegradable shrink films are close to the top of the list.
Which earth friendly packaging material causes least damage?
When considering earth-friendly packaging materials, it’s essential to assess their environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, including disposal. Many supposedly eco-friendly materials leave residual waste when decomposing, which can be harmful to the environment. Some materials also require special disposal processes that create toxic by-products that harm the environment. In this context, Ecolene biodegradable shrink film emerges as one of the top choices in terms of causing the least damage to the environment. This is because Ecolene biodegradable shrink film biodegrades 100% safely and leaves zero plastic residue, addressing concerns about residual waste and harmful by-products. Therefore, it stands out as a material with minimal environmental impact, making it a compelling option for eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Are Folene’s packaging materials eco-friendly and sustainable?
Yes. Our Flxtite® and Ecolene® films are fully sustainable. These films are made from polyolefin (POF), which is fully recyclable. Ecolene® film is specially crafted to break down naturally with no harm to the environment.
What’s the current trend in sustainable packaging solutions?
The current trend in sustainable packaging solutions is focusing on a circular economy. Manufacturers are turning to reusable, recyclable packaging instead of types of plastics. Packaging that is (1) bio-based, (2) biodegradable, or (3) compostable is being produced from rice husks and other renewably sourced materials such as corn, cotton, and wood.
What percentage of packaging materials are recycled?
The municipal packaging waste recycling rate: Paper and cardboard packaging at 82% Metallic packaging at 78% Glass packaging at 76% Plastic at 41% Wooden packages at 31% By using eco friendly packaging we can counteract the low rate of plastic that is recycled.
