What is Sustainable Packaging

It will ring. You expect and certainly open the door: the courier service has arrived! He pushes the parcel into your hand, and when you open the parcel, you feel a little like Christmas.

Even if you actually know what’s inside because you ordered it. Your joy mixes with a little anger when you realise that the package is too big for the product. Serious? What a waste! And it should still fit in my trash; it’s always full anyway. What does the manufacturer mean? 

Packaging has come a long way since the garbage collection arrived. Many stakeholders are involved, including legislators, manufacturers, sellers, consumers, and perhaps environmentalists and processors. Everyone has their ideas and guidelines. No wonder it’s a very complex issue. 

1. Not only does it look good, but what is sustainable packaging important to?

When you unpack something, the package is often thrown into the trash. We will continue to use ingenious upcycling ideas, or at least pay attention to proper waste separation and allow them to be recycled. 

It performed many functions on the way to us before the packaging was dumped in the trash at home. The product is not just packaged to improve its appearance. Our top priority is to maintain the value of our products on our way to us. Both manufacturers and consumers appreciate this. 

Important for manufacturers: 

1. The protection of the package is the most important aspect. Goods must be environmentally friendly (climate, etc.) and protected from theft, damage, and pollution. 
2. There are various standards for transport, loading, and storage: safe gripping, lifting, and moving. For optimal storage, the package must be stable and stackable. 
3. The package also serves as a source of content, usage, and safety information and as an advertising medium. 

 Consumer Important:

1. In addition to protection, easy handling is important to consumers. Instead of looking for the scissors, you need a tool to open them quickly. 
2. In addition, the material should be environmentally friendly like Sustainable Packaging, recyclable if possible, or at least disposable with low pollution. 
3. Basically, I don’t like it if the package is unnecessarily large. If possible, as few as possible, as much as you need. 
4. Depending on the packaged product, there are strict laws and regulations and more specific customer requirements, such as in the case of food. 
5. What kind of packaging material do you have? 

Anyone who wants to sell a product must focus on the subject of packaging. With a complete list of what you must legally comply with and your requirements  (as a manufacturer and consumer), the first questions that arise are: What are those properties? Do they meet my criteria? 

The  most frequently used raw materials for packaging worldwide are plastic (41%), paper / cardboard / cardboard (32%), metal (14%), glass (7%) and wood (3%). .. 

The world of HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, EPS, PUR plastic is its universe or causes confusion of letters. At least for non-professionals. It’s clear that not all plastics are made the same. In addition to the main ingredients, there are innumerable combinations of them. Wooden packages are complemented, for example, with hinges, nails, or locking systems. The cardboard box is foil. They can also need a lid made of tin, for example, with an internal seal. 

Other packaging materials such as sugar cane, bamboo, grass, palm leaves, straw, and bioplastics are still less common. 

2. Trends in Sustainable packaging and desire for waste reduction

What does “sustainable” mean to you? 

Sustainability is… if you live a minimal life. If you upcycle a lot. If you prefer to sail instead of flying. Does that also apply to packaging? 

 When it comes to sustainability, many aspects need to be taken into account. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition defines sustainable packaging by emphasizing the social, environmental, and economic impacts of packaging. 

Some criteria on the label “Sustainable” must be met. At the social level, packaging must be useful and harmless throughout its life cycle.  Renewable energy to operate in the manufacturing process is as important as the use of recycled or renewable materials. Needless to say, materials and energy should be kept to a minimum. Production must be done in a closed cycle. All of these points are part of the environmental requirements. 

When it comes to sustainable production, reusability, and recycling issues, the performance of common raw materials such as glass, plastic, and paper varies, just like new innovations. It is important to carefully consider which packaging guarantees product protection and sustainability under what circumstances. 

Consumers are increasingly interested in Sustainable Packaging and recycling opportunities. However, the rules are not always clear and missing, or inadequate information about the package can have undesired consequences. In case of doubt, the package will be dumped in the remaining trash. 

3. Food Packaging Special Cases

Packaging will be adjusted according to its contents. For food, it is important that the food in the transport chain is safe before harvesting, processing, and consuming. I don’t want to get caught up in annoying surprises when opening a purchase after shopping. The manufacturer is not interested either. 

Special packaging regulations apply to food products. It’s not just about transportation, storage, ease of use, and sources of information. Claims also include, for example, the possibility of resealing or heating ready-made meals in packs. For a long time, food was rarely sold on the Internet. On the one hand,  consumers are sceptical and prefer to see the products in stores before paying. On the other hand, it was a challenge for the manufacturer to design packaging in such a way that he could guarantee the freshness of the items right up to the front door.

In addition to guaranteeing freshness, there are regulations on what should be included in food packagings, such as a list of ingredients and a nutrition table. Consumers should be protected from health risks rather than being fooled into getting enough information. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties. 

4. Future Sustainable Packaging

Given the accumulation of waste at sea and the discovery of microplastics in food, there is a growing desire for cheaper or unwrapped food. Ever wondered why cucumbers are shrink-wrapped and why broccoli needs to be wrapped in metric foil? 

Minister of the Environment Klaus Töpfer enacted the legal establishment of the idea of ​​more sustainable handling of packaging in the form of the Packaging Ordinance in 1991. He wanted to set a tendency against a disposable society. 

The Packaging Institute reports, among other things: “In the mid-1950s, drinks were four times as much as they are today, beer bottles were three times as much, and  PET bottles weighed more than 50%. Over the last few decades.” 

 And what does it look like? 

 More sustainability is achievable by reducing materials and energy  

• Use of recycled materials 
• Use of renewable raw materials 
• Flammability of  materials 
• Use of plastic substitutes or  alternative materials 
• Highly recyclable 

Foods Have various options. In addition to clear labelling of recyclable packages (sustainable waste management), an increase in unpackaged foods, expansion of reusable systems,  use of biodegradable materials.

An alternative was being developed. Mushrooms instead of Styrofoam, sugar cane instead of polyethylene, foil made of milk protein, or algae for liquids. Taking into account transportation routes and production, the question remains whether these renewable and biodegradable raw materials are really more sustainable. 

5. Chain or Cycle?

Packaging is a complex issue. Requirements range from protection to sources. If the package meets all of these and the product reaches the consumer safely, the trash can is not the end; it is just a stopover.

Unfortunately, the packaging is still often the subject of a chain from production to trash, and the recyclability cycle is rare. In addition to regulatory compliance, the materials used, the energy intensity of production, and whether they are recyclable or compostable must be considered in order to find the optimal and sustainable packaging solution for the product.

However, this only makes sense if everyone involved participates in the cycle. Without the careful selection of the manufacturer, the consumer cannot save sustainability, but without the help of the consumer, the manufacturer cannot save either. Therefore, everyone has their duty to make the use of packages more environmentally friendly.