Sustainable Packaging Solutions for Small Businesses
Every small business owner who tries to win customers knows that product presentation is a great influence. This means that the product packaging you use is as important as your product itself.
However, here is the challenge: Modern customers become more eco-conscious.
Every unboxing experience they have with your product is no longer about aesthetics; it also revolves around ethics. Yes, we are talking about the packaging type that will not harm the environment here.
Thanks to innovations in the packaging industry, we now know the term ” sustainable packaging options for small businesses.
What is sustainable packaging? What is great about it? Why do small businesses have to choose it? Let’s discover everything your business should know.
Sustainable Packaging: The Simple Explanation
First, you surely want to know about the real meaning of sustainable packaging. In the easiest words, sustainable packaging is the box, wrap, or cushioning you use to pack your product. The same as standard packaging? No!
All materials used in the manufacture of this packaging are 100% recyclable and biodegradable too. That’s what makes sustainable packaging very environmentally friendly.
Yet, the greatest thing to mention about this packaging is that it was sourced and produced ethically. Meaning? The manufacturing and sourcing cause the least or zero damage to the environment.
So, is it the same with eco-friendly packaging (the booming trend as well)?
Here’s a quick guide you should note.
When we discuss eco-friendly packaging, it refers to the packaging type (whether it is a box or wrap) that is safe for the environment. But “eco-friendly” is basically a broader term.
Sustainable packaging (our main topic here) is more about the packaging that focuses on the long-term lifecycle and how it benefits the environment. Therefore, sustainable packaging also revolves around sourcing the material in an ethical manner. But here is the most important point: you can expect sustainable packaging to be fully recycled or reused—giving it a second life.
Sustainable Packaging’s Features
How can your business differentiate sustainable packaging from standard options available?
With the key features below.
- The packaging is very easy to recycle and can be used to make some new products.
- The packaging can easily break down within weeks. That too, without leaving any toxins throughout the process.
- It makes less carbon footprint as the packaging has been made locally. Yes, it simply means that it does not travel long distances to get to you and your customers.
Sustainable Packaging Ideas for Small Businesses You Should Try
Making your business packaging more sustainable should not be difficult, challenging, or exceeding your budget at all, right?
Check out the ideas below.
Make Your Packaging Minimalist
“The ‘less-is-more’ approach benefits your business more instead of producing a box with excess materials. You can implement a “less-is-more” approach by using custom boxes designed to the accurate measurements of your product. This way, you can minimize the packaging waste. Another way to be minimalist is by providing refill formats for your products.
Opt for Edible Packaging
Working in the food industry? Go with edible packaging!
This is one of the sustainable packaging ideas for food. The best example is the packaging made from seaweed or starch.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials are a MUST-HAVE for Your Business
It is time to switch to biodegradable and compostable options. PLA, cornstarch, sugarcane; there are many to mention here.
Paper-Based Packaging is Trending
As the name suggests, this one is made of paper-based material, which is recyclable and environmentally friendly—one of the best sustainable packaging solutions.
What are the Benefits of Using Sustainable Packaging?
Beyond being friendly to our planet, sustainable packaging offers some promising benefits for small businesses .
Building a Responsible Brand Image
A product packaged in sustainable packaging gives customers the “guilt-free” feeling when they purchase. From here, you can build a reliable, responsible brand image.
Lower Shipping Costs
Those sustainable packaging materials are lighter and “right-sized”. By choosing them, you can eventually lower the shipping costs you have to pay.
Better Marketing
Using sustainable packaging for businesses gives you a great, valuable story to tell on social media. The best part? Those eco-conscious customers who see your post will surely choose your sustainable product.
Is Sustainable Packaging for Small Businesses Important?
Speaking of the importance, there is a huge role sustainable packaging can play for small businesses. As we all know, today’s customers have become very concerned about the environment. Thus, today’s customers prefer to purchase products (even those for daily use that do no harm to the environment. This applies to their everyday products as well.
The main point? Check your business packaging. If you are still using plastics, there is no way you can win those customers. And definitely, it is the time to switch to more sustainable packaging.
Sustainable Packaging Examples You Shouldn’t Skip
Here’s the good news: Sustainable packaging is widely available and easily accessible for small businesses to get. In fact, you have likely seen them almost everywhere.
Examples?
Compostable mailers made from cornstarch, mushroom packaging that replaces styrofoam, or recycled kraft paper. The options are there; it all depends on whether your business is going green or not.
Well, we have to admit it; small businesses sometimes already getting hassled to manage their budgets and inventory. But you know what? You don’t need to spend a huge budget to be a sustainable one. Try the best sustainable packaging solutions for small businesses we mentioned above, and you are good to go.
The Takeaway
The takeaway? You have read the benefits and importance of sustainable packaging for small businesses. So, no need to waste your time anymore; it is time to switch to sustainable packaging today.
