Small Packaging Changes & Their Huge Impact on the Planet

Salman Shahid

With the exponential growth of the consumption economy, around 2.12 billion tons of waste are produced every year and still counting. This number becomes more shocking when we dig deep into the waste materials and realize that most of the dump contains hard-to-degrade items, and the ones that demand a lot of resources to decompose.

From personal gadgets to clothing and every food item, each item leaves packaging, either compostable or recyclable. The catch is, if we strategically start utilizing the products packed in eco-friendly materials, the amount of non-degradable materials we use will not be in billions but millions of tons.

For those who think that this change starts from giant multinationals and big brands, it is true. But the potential of contribution is hidden on small and medium enterprises is non-negligible. To explore it further, here we’ve discussed how small packaging alterations can create a positive impact on the planet. Read on to uncover them.

The Hidden Gem of Packaging

Biodegradability. You may have often heard or read this term before multiple times, but what does it mean in practice? In simple words, biodegradable packaging refers to the packaging made from PLA (plant-based plastic), which can be cornstarch, sugarcane, paper, or even bamboo, and has no harmful or minimal effect on the environment.

The factor that makes it unique and distinctive is its ability to get absorbed in the environment within a short timeframe, whereas conventional plastic takes decades or even centuries to decompose. Even after such an extended duration, the plastic’s harmful effects still somehow remain on the soil and can become the root cause of strange diseases. We know this is shocking, but it’s still part of our ecosystem, and eliminating it is the main goal in both the short and long term.

How Biodegradable Packaging Contributes to the Planet?

Whenever we talk about a cleaner, greener planet, the very first thing that counts a lot is the packaging. But why? Because it’s linked to billions of individuals — almost everyone who lives on the planet and consumes products.

This means whatever we consume or use daily, whether we’re serving the planet or paying for its destruction. Below are some of the factors that are linked to sustainable packaging.

Builds a Positive Brand Image

After enough environmental impact everyone, businesses or consumers, is concerned about minor changes that can positively lead to significant results. When you opt for sustainable packaging choices, people love to buy from you because it aligns with their values. It puts your brand in the first-mover lane where none of your competitors has done any work on this aspect.

Keep Things in Cycle

Since nature is all about growth and re-growth, biodegradable packaging directly impacts the planet from its production to decomposition and beyond. Once the non-plastic packaging is ready to use, it keeps the products in the best state and ensures that it doesn’t pollute the soil once they are disposed of. The add-ons can also be recycled to utilize them again, rather than being dumped in the landfills and polluting the environment.

Doing so saves the natural resources of our planet while minimizing the waste significantly. Keeping packaging materials in a cycle also omits some energy-consuming processes in manufacturing raw materials. It not only streamlines processes but also minimize energy waste.

Minimize Long-term Costs

The costs associated with the recycling of traditional packaging material sometimes become more than the end product. Industries have to collect, sort, and then process the materials in machinery that consumes gallons of fuel and electricity within minutes. This results in a larger carbon footprint and eventually affects the ozone layer and causing harm to the environment.

All of this explanation sounds overwhelming, but unfortunately, it’s the reality associated with plastic or non-degradable materials. That’s where the eco-friendly packaging marks its entry and reduces the recycling costs in hundreds of ways we can’t assume.

Where to Start as a Business?

As a brand, you have the unconditional liability to give back to the environment and society. Since you take resources from nature, it’s your duty to follow the practices that lead to an impactful result.

Whether you’re in the food, lifestyle, or health care business, eco-friendly packaging can uplift the packaging game. Below are some of the practical steps you can count on.

• Pick Materials Wisely: The packaging material is the backbone of sustainable practices. For instance, the minimalistic Kraft mylar bag with oxygen absorbers is one of the reliable ones that are economical, lightweight, and flexible packaging choices. These pouches are not only less harmful because of the paper-based layer but also preserve the food from spoilage.

  
  

• Campaign Your Efforts: No matter what you’re planning and executing for the packaging, if it’s unexplained, no one will ever know. So, market the eco-friendly efforts the right way and encourage all stakeholders to take part in your vision. Soon you’ll stand out among other businesses for being one step ahead of them.

  
  

• Make it Compact: There’s no logical reason to develop a bulky box for a product that can easily fit in a standard or a small-sized box. Finalizing the packaging dimensions can sometimes become tricky, especially when you’re just starting out the brand or introducing a new line of products.

  
  

• Partner with a Reliable Vendor: Whenever choosing a packaging supplier or a vendor go for the one who takes ownership of every material they use in the packaging and doesn’t make verbal claims only. They should offer the transparency of every stage and provide trackable materials and resources.

At this stage, it’s better to consult with a packaging expert to figure out the best solution rather than relying on guesswork. They’ll offer you considerable options that you might skip if you do the research on your own.

Gauging the Impact of Your Sustainable Efforts

To gauge the positive impact of your sustainable changes, you need to identify how your packaging and processes are minimizing pollution. You can go for various metrics like environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. Also, the importance of greenhouse gas emissions, consumption of water and energy, etc., can be considered to evaluate how your sustainability goals are going.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Small Moves!

Waves convert into tides, drops turn into ponds. Likewise, the micro change in your packaging aspect can bring a world of difference because you’re not the only one who is focusing on sustainability, thousands of other businesses, big or small, also have the same vision. That’s how, together, we can bring the actual change that no governmental organization has ever imagined or planned. So, start your journey today and lay the foundation of a sustainable world we all want to live in.

Citations

1. Ecofriendly Packaging. (n.d.). Biodegradable packaging: Small change, big impact – Why biodegradable packaging matters. Ecofriendly Packaging Australia. https://www.ecofriendlypackaging.com.au/blog/biodegradable-packaging-small-change-big-impact/

2. Earthshot Prize. (2023). Small changes, big impacts: Together let’s reduce plastic waste this Plastic Free July. Earthshot Prize. https://earthshotprize.org/news/small-changes-big-impacts-together-lets-reduce-plastic-waste-this-plasticfreejuly/

3. Ecopackables. (2023). The impact of packaging size and weight on carbon footprint. Ecopackables. https://www.ecopackables.com/blogs/news/the-impact-of-packaging-size-and-weight-on-carbon-footprint