When it comes to packaging, “reduce, reuse, and recycle” are 3 words that our planet would love to hear. In the 18th and 19th eras, traditional or classic packaging was at its peak. Brands were using it widely without any knowledge about sustainability. This resulted in a drastic effect on the ecosystem, such as the drain of resources, production of greenhouse gases, and high energy use. This is where efforts for sustainable packaging started. This article delves into why Eco-friendly packaging is better for the environment than traditional packaging. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Traditional packaging means any type of box that lacks eco-friendliness. Its main goal is to offer basic functionality such as protecting or containing the items that are placed in the boxes. Hence, this type was good at physical support and security during distribution, transit, storage, or even on retail shelves. Examples include plastics, glass, metal, or any type of stock that has not been treated.
However, a lack of eco-friendly aspects in this custom packaging renders it less useful and more harmful to the earth. With its steady use since the 18th century, this type has produced effects that are not beneficial for the earth. These outcomes are given below:
Sustainable packaging refers to the boxes that have been treated to have less drastic effects on the planet. The result is that it has a good impact on the environment and makes little ecological carbon footprint. The most crucial aspect of sustainable packaging is that it offers upcycling, which means the reuse of a thing in a way that uplifts the value of the original product. The perk of using such packaging is that it protects your item as well as the earth. The following are the key aspects of any sustainable packaging box:
Traditional packaging is a type that isn’t concerned about the environment, while it only focuses on product protection. Eco-friendly boxes focus on eco preservation. The following is a detailed comparison of both types:
One of the major differences between both types is material. Classic boxes are made of stock such as plastic, metal, glass, or conventional paper. For starters, they don’t decay, leading to less land pollution. Similarly, some stocks have a long decay period.
On the other hand, sustainable materials are made of stocks that offer good perks for the planet. Most of them are paper-based, such as cardboard and paperboard. Further, some of them are also made with a process that adds to their eco-friendly aspect. One example is Kraft which has an unbleached making setup. This renders it more sustainable. Apart from them, we have seen packaging such as biopolymers as well as mushroom-based custom boxes. They also offer a very low decay time, leaving no residue in landfills.
Another area where both types of stocks vary is degradability. Classic materials are either less degradable or take a long time to decay. For example, plastic bags take 20 years to decay whereas plastic straws can take up to 200 years. On top of that, they even turn into smaller particles, called microplastics, which are even more harmful to humans. In contrast, paper-based packaging has a very low decay time. It can degrade around 2-6 weeks, depending on the type of stock you are using.
The thing that makes classic stock the public darling is that they are affordable. To add to that, they have lower initial costs. For example, petroleum-based items are quite cheap to make. However, they do have higher costs in the long run. For instance, the cost of depositing them, handling landfills, and pollution cleanup can take a lot of resources.
On the other hand, the upfront making cost of sustainable stocks could be higher. This is because specialized systems need to be installed for them. However, they are cheap in the long run for various reasons. You don’t have to make special setups to dispose of them. Further, they have lower disposal fees and less tax incentives.
Buyers prefer sustainable packaging more than the classic ones. As per a survey, 72% of Americans are interested in buying from a brand that offers sustainability and takes care of the planet. On top of that, such packaging imparts a positive brand image in the minds of the users. This creates a loyalty that will convert to trust in the longer run, offering you more interest and sales. A nuanced perk of green boxes is that they give you an edge over your rivals.
The lifespan of traditional boxes is longer than the sustainable ones. Stocks such as metals and plastics can last hundreds of years without breaking down. This aspect can have negative effects as such a material can stay in the landfills for years, hurting marine and other lives. Contrary to that, green boxes are designed for the short term. Hence, they decompose easily, leaving no residues in the land or air.
Despite having so many benefits, sustainable packaging is not perfect. The following are some cons of green boxes:
For starters, it takes 3x times more energy than plastics, taking into account the use of virgin materials, and energy to recycle them. However, when you compare both options in terms of raw material, biodegradability, and cost - sustainable materials take the lead. The upfront making cost for this packaging is higher than the traditional one. This is because you need advanced setups and trained labor to produce eco-friendly boxes. However, in the long run, the recyclability aspect of this packaging renders it more cost-effective.
Eco-friendly stock is not as durable as the classic one. Compare metals or glass with paper-based solutions - the former will always take the lead when it comes to core strength. This makes them an ideal option to handle the just and jolts of transit. Further, some eco-friendly materials are also prone to heat and moisture, limiting their use for sensitive items. But with options such as lamination and coating, you can uplift their durability. Eco-friendly stock is not always recyclable - which is its unique selling point. Packaging such as custom food boxes or serum packaging is more prone to get dirty due to the packed items. Contaminated containers can’t be recycled, which adds to the deposition cost. However, the good thing is that they can easily get decayed, leaving less waste.
To know how your packaging is adding to the environment, you need to know its eco-impact. For this, a process called lifecycle analysis or LCA is used. This involves assessing the impact of the boxes from raw materials to their end. You consider the following metrics in this regard:
The BLUF of the discussion is that sustainable packaging is better for the environment than traditional packaging. It imparts less harmful effects on the planet, offers more eco protection, reduces waste, and impresses the buyers.
If you are looking to add such green boxes to your brand, contact Packaging Mania. Our seasonal experts can guide you through the process of how to make packaging that not only protects your items but also the environment. On top of that, we also offer tailored discounts such as free shipping and up to 30% off on customized orders.
We've worked with lots of successful industries around the world and have won their confidence & loyalty.
