In the modern world, we know that trends can quickly come and go. But one trend that’s here to stay is being environmentally responsible. For decades, we have been presented with warning signs and detailed studies on how human activities have had harmful effects on our environment. Today’s well-informed consumers are making ecologically safe decisions with their behavior and product choices and expecting the same of businesses that provide them with goods and services.
When your business involves selling a physical product, you’ll have invested some time and effort into product packaging. Your team will come up with eye-catching designs that represent your brand and give the consumer a great physical experience with the product. But if you don’t take good ecological practices seriously, you risk losing a substantial portion of your consumer base; many millennials are driving the current wave of eco-responsibility.
So go over your packaging plans, and see if there aren’t a few improvements you can make in these critical areas:
Materials matter
Your careful choice of the packaging material is an essential step toward better, ecologically sound business practices. If you do a little research, you’ll find that many people condemn the use of plastic, for instance, while others defend it on the basis that plastics are recyclable. Similar arguments can be made for or against other materials such as glass bottles or aluminum cans.
Recycled paper materials are generally considered a safe choice, but they can be limited in terms of strength and durability. Fortunately, honeycomb cardboard suppliers can provide a perfect solution with innovative packaging that is lightweight, extremely strong, and environmentally friendly.
Minimize ink
Even before a single carton or bottle has been filled, you can already ensure that your packaging design has a minimal environmental impact. Having your design teamwork in white or negative space will reduce the amount of ink that goes into the final output. When you’re manufacturing thousands of labels and containers on average each day, these savings on ink go a long way.
You can also make a difference by sourcing a printer known for ecological responsibility and safe practices. Using eco-solvent or soy-based inks, for instance, improves the sustainability of printing processes.
Reduce size and weight
One way to help both the environment and your bottom line is to rework your product’s packed size and weight. Aiming for more compact packaging design will cut down material costs needed for the packaging. Using fewer materials used will reduce the impact on the environment.
Another benefit of compact packaging is that it allows more of your product to fit inside transportation containers. This improves shipping efficiency, which yields more savings for you and less oil consumption for transport.
Reusable design
There are many ways to get creative while going green with your product packaging. Take inspiration from some smart and innovative designs that allow customers to give your packaging a second (or third) life. After all, if you keep materials around for further use, they don’t become harmful waste at all. From reusable bags to boxes so sturdy that they can serve as stools, you’ll be amazed by the possibilities that creative design can offer.
A profitable business doesn’t have to focus exclusively on the bottom line. Today’s generation of consumers is smart, and they respond to genuine efforts to change and follow best practices for environmental safety. Make the adjustments, and embrace your responsibility to sustainable operations.
