The Hidden Environmental Cost of Poor Packaging Choices

Various types of packaging generated 82.2 million tons of waste in 2018, which is 28.1% of total waste generation. What is the reason behind this? It’s because of the negligence of various brands that choose non-recyclable or non-biodegradable packaging for their products instead of sustainable packaging. There are hundreds of cosmetic, food, cannabis, beverage, and other retail brands that opt for plastic packaging, which is why landfill waste is increasing by tons every year. Just a small instance of negligence in a brand’s packaging choice results in a very high environmental cost. With my years of experience in the packaging industry and in-depth research, I will show you how choosing poor packaging increases pollution and waste. This increases the awareness of environment protection for a green future.

Cons of Choosing Poor Quality Packaging

Because of the selection of poor quality and non-biodegradable packaging, the pollution and waste of the Earth are increasing with the passage of time. 

Globally, plastic packaging is generating 400 million tons of waste, which also causes the degradation of the environment. For several thousands years plastic materials do not decompose and corrodes for several thousands years, causing the landfill.

At every stage of its life traditional plastic and non-biodegradable packaging can cause carbon emission at every stage of its life. So, it can cause the globall warming and several climate changes. They also cause the rising sea level and ecosystem damage because of increasing pollution and waste.

This is the hidden environmental cost of poor packaging that we are paying because of the negligence of various brands.

Packaging Red Flags You Should Avoid

If any brands want to reduce their footprints, they should stop making these packaging mistakes.

Over Packaging

When brands use excessive plastic wraps, excessive layers of cardboard packaging boxes, use of over size boxes for small items, and use unnecessary branding material is called over packaging. They can lead to waste generation and also cause more packaging costs.

Non-Recyclable Materials

The most problematic and unnecessary plastic is non-recyclable plastic, which leads to landfills and pollution. PVC, polystyrene, and multi-layer plastic are non-recyclable materials that emit multiple chemical byproducts. They contaminate the water, air, and communities that are near these facilities.

Poor Design

The poor design can cause more waste during production and the use of non-biodegradable and non-recyclable materials. Extra branding elements in the design of custom packaging boxes with logo can also cause packaging waste and increase the production cost. To prevent the use of extra raw material during the customization of packaging, you should design the box template with an expert graphic designer for your products.

Our Responsibility

To reduce these environmental costs, we should take some preventive measures to put the non-recyclable packaging in the bin or find the collector site near you using the Plastic Film Recycling Drop-off Locator.

Benefits of Sustainable Packaging and Recyclable Materials

Sustainable packaging is not just protecting the products and planet, but also a symbol of social equity and responsibility. Therefore, now brands are using recyclable materials to manufacture sustainable packaging for their products to reduce the environmental impact. Here are the benefits of these packaging solutions:

Reduce Waste

There are different types of sustainable packaging solutions that are used to wrap a range of retail products and to meet the shipping needs of e-commerce brands. To manufacture these boxes, recyclable corrugated cardboard, biodegradable kraft, cardstock, and other sustainable packaging materials are used. Corrugated packaging has a 91.4% recycling rate, and natural kraft has a 100% recycling rate. They can easily become part of the soil without increasing the waste, and help brands to reduce their footprint.

Resources Conservation

Recyclable packaging not only helps brands reduce waste in landfills but also supports the management of natural resources. Corrugated packaging materials are made of reusable materials, which take less energy during production and also during recycling. On the other hand, virgin packaging or materials can consume more energy and cause environmental pollution.

Circular Economy

They minimize the waste because of their easy-to-recycle features. By using them again in the recycling unit and to manufacture other packaging, corrugated cardboard and kraft packaging can be excellent choices for circular packaging. For example, you have also noticed that custom printed food boxes and takeout bags are made of soy-based and kraft materials. These packaging boxes are not discarded after a single use. Brands can save on their packaging cost if they no longer use recyclable packaging. Because it is 20% to 50% more cost-effective than non-recyclable packaging. By using biodegradable and recyclable packaging wholesale for their products, brands can meet their packaging needs at affordable rates.

Helping Brands to Show Their Positive Brand Image

As you know, the modern market is shifting toward sustainable packaging solutions to reduce plastic waste. In this case, a brand that uses recyclable or biodegradable packaging for its products can show its eco-conscious brand image and win the trust of modern consumers.

These packaging boxes also provide the necessary protection to products, helping brands to deliver the promised quality to their potential customers. Apart from this, recyclable materials also have excellent printing capacity, helping brands to show their unique brand image. Recyclable materials, including cardstock, cardboard, and kraft paper, all provide complete flexibility to brands to customize their boxes and bags in any shape, style, size, and printing.

Solutions

The selection of poor packaging can make a significant harmful impact on the environment, causing climate change. Choosing non-recyclable packaging can also damage the reputation of brands. To prevent environmental degradation, brands should take some preventive measures to shift from poor packaging to recyclable or biodegradable packaging solutions. By using recyclable boxes and bags, brands can join the sustainable packaging revolution and also save costs.

By using renewable resources in product packaging, we can minimize landfill waste, lower the carbon footprint, and conserve resources.