In today’s world, packaging has keen importance. Environmental safety and preservation campaigns are boosting their game day by day, and people want safer, greener products, including packaging that prolongs the life of our environment for future generations. The first concern for different companies is to deliver the products safely; this is where packaging is of ultimate importance. It ensures the safety of fragile products as well as keeps them safe from different environmental aspects and mishandling, thus preventing the products from eruption and damage. An increase in demand for packaging also increases the threat to the environment. The question arises whether the packaging being used is eco-friendly or not. According to a study, demand for protective packaging in the US is increasing by 4.9% per year.
Here, friendly packaging refers to eco-friendly packaging, which means the usage of packaging that is highly recyclable, thus causing the least harm to nature. The packaging is made up of resources that consume renewable energy, thus making it recyclable. The use of paperboard and cardboard is highly recommended for the packaging as they are made from pulp of the palm trees, which makes them environmentally friendly. The eco-friendly packaging can be
1. Reused, which enhances its durability
2. Recycled easily, making it safe for individuals
3. Decomposed easily when in contact with nature
Environmental packaging is also called sustainable packaging. Environment-friendly packaging is supposed to withstand different odds, providing safety to the product as well as to the environment. For this reason, it is also known as “green packaging.” It includes the manufacturing of packaging from green resources such as flax, which is a plant material. The life cycle of packaging involves
1. Choice of raw material
2. Production of packaging
3. Disposal
The last step of this recycling process is of foremost importance; after disposal, the material that cannot be decomposed or recycled causes solid waste, which is a threat to the environment. On the other hand, if recyclable packaging is used, it is friendly to the environment as it can be reused or decomposed easily. We are living in this world, and we have some responsibilities to this environment. To keep it safe and green, different measurements have also been taken by the governments. In the UK, heavy penalties have been enforced where non-recyclable waste was found. As a consumer, we should also emphasize the use of environment-friendly packaging. Different studies suggest that the use of recyclable and sustainable packaging has also caused an increase in sales.
As far as options for the packaging materials are concerned, there are many, which can make your packaging environment friendly. Some of the popular materials are:
2. Packaging made from glass
3. Few types of plastics
4. Green plant material such as starch
The quality that makes packaging friendly to the environment is recyclability, as discussed above. In addition to that quality, there is another one that refers to decomposition. Whether packaging material decomposes or not when in contact with open air or the environment. The material that decomposes easily is called biodegradable and is highly eco-friendly. Now the concern is which material is biodegradable. The answer to this question is:
Paper is made from natural resources such as plants and trees. This nature of composition makes the paper biodegradable. When in contact with microbes, the paper decomposes very easily. So paper is mostly used in the manufacturing of packaging.
Cardboard can be reused or recycled; along with these qualities, it is also biodegradable as it belongs to the same family of paper.
For protective purposes, bubble wrap is used, which is made of plastic or polythene, and it is not suitable for the environment. Instead of that, protective “peanuts” can be used to keep products safe; these are made of green plant material called corn starch.
There are also some forms of plastics that are biodegradable. Corn Starch is used in the manufacturing of such plastic bags, which decompose easily.
Here are some of the tips by which you can make your packaging eco-friendly:
People use plastic or polythene bags to carry their products. The good news is that there are now plastic bags that are made from biodegradable material. Just look for the “biodegradable clear bags and boxes.”
There are now bubble wraps that are made up of biodegradable plastics. Use them to contribute to the environment.
3. Eco-friendly tape
For packaging purposes, there is eco-friendly tape available on the market. This tape is highly adhesive and made from biodegradable material. The quality that makes packaging friendly to the environment is recyclability. Environmental packaging is also called sustainable packaging that wows your customer with premium custom boxes. Environment-friendly packaging is supposed to sustain itself against different odds, providing safety to the product as well as to the environment.
