As more consumers search for sustainable packaging options, food and beverage companies are forced to make tough decisions about their products. As a result, many firms are becoming more conscious of their environmental impacts.
Creating more eco-friendly packaging has been challenging for companies. The high costs of sustainable materials and the need to keep food fresh are some of the factors that have slowed the adoption of more sustainable materials.
On the other hand, the phasing out of certain packaging formats and designs is a complex process, that could have significant cost and profit implications. While it can be rationalized, manufacturers should still conduct a trial run to see how this will affect their businesses.
When it comes to eco-friendly packaging, many people automatically think of the use of bio-degradable or recyclable materials. After all, entirely replacing plastics will definitely reduce the amount of plastic waste a company produces. An alternative to replacing plastics is recycling them. Using recycled materials is ideal, not just because it's more sustainable, but because it's more economical as well. Instead of having to buy new materials, manufacturers only have to cover the cost of recycling old ones. It saves manufacturers money and helps minimize the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
Another option, and probably the simplest, is to reduce packaging waste is to use less material. Doing so saves manufacturers money and helps minimize the environmental impact of each piece of trash.
All things considered, with a global shift toward fighting climate change, the way we approach packaging is set to overcome challenges that will allow it's grow and change.