(updated October 21, 2022)

guest post by Max Bracken

Today’s environmentally-conscious consumers expect businesses to show a strong commitment to sustainable practices. Read this guide to learn how you can boost your green credentials through packaging design.

In the age of Extinction Rebellions and zero-waste homes, many of the world’s most recognised brands are placing environmentally-friendly practices at the centre of their policies. For many companies, packaging design represents the best way of improving their sustainability. Not only will committing to sustainable packaging allow you to help combat climate change, but it may also greatly enhance your company’s reputation and profits.

Packaging has always been a vital part of the marketing process. It is an essential part of the delivery process and it can also be used to promote your brand. Packaging design is a complicated process and it requires a lot of resources, but with sustainable packaging, you can create packaging that not only looks good but is also environmentally friendly.

Packaging trends are always changing and evolving. So what does this mean for your business? Well, it means that you have to keep up with these trends if you want your product to sell well. Sustainable packaging is not just about what you use to package your products. It is also about how you manage your resources and waste in general. Sustainable packaging is also about reducing the environmental impact of packaging by making smarter choices.

The Benefits of Greener Product Packaging

With the rise of green consumerism, the decisions you make at the packaging design stage can have a major influence on whether or not a consumer decides to purchase your product. What’s more, a report from Environmental Leader tells us that 53% of customers would be willing to pay a premium for green products and brands. Another major benefit is that you can save costs, as eco-friendly packaging materials tend to be cheaper than non-sustainable alternatives. In fact, Unilever estimates that there is an estimated €966 billion ($1.05 trillion) opportunity for brands that make their sustainability credentials clear.  

Discover More About Why Good Things Come in Sustainable Packages

“Many business leaders are seeing the relationship between long-term success and sustainability, and that’s very heartening.”

– Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen

Some companies have started to use sustainable packaging because they want to do their part in making the world a better place. Others have started using it because they want to attract consumers who care about sustainability. Current sustainable packaging trends include the following:

• Reducing the use of plastics in food and beverage containers

• Reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials

• Creating a circular economy

A circular economy doesn't just stop at the end of the product's life cycle. It includes recycling and implementing sustainable practices across the entire lifecycle of a product. Managing packaging materials with a sustainable, circular economy in mind is key to addressing the enormous amount of packaging waste that hits landfills every year.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of sustainable packaging, browse through the infographic below, created by Bracken Foam Fabricators. This informative guide explores the trends in packaging sustainability and outlines some good examples of sustainable and unsustainable packaging. It also features a number of recommendations about how you can design packaging that is as eco-friendly as possible.

Scroll down to the infographic below to learn more.

Max Bracken is the Manufacturing Manager of Bracken Foam Fabricators (www.foamfabricators.ie), an Irish manufacturer of high quality foam products.

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