By Snehal Apte
Packaging material is something everyone interacts on daily basis. It is one of the most easily recognizable items. Packaging materials include plastic bottles, metal cans, cardboard paper bags, etc.
Production and disposing of these materials safely needs a large energy input and also needs a thorough planning, taking both economic and environmental factors into consideration.
With the rise in global temperature issues, the need for eco-friendly packaging is rising. Packaging is an important part of daily activities and hence consumers are looking for possible alternatives to reduce our daily harmful usage of packaging materials.
Eco-friendly packaging requires fewer materials, are more sustainable and also employ an environment-friendly method of production and disposal. Helping the environment is one of the benefits, from an economic point of view, producing light-weight materials help FMCG manufacturing companies to save money and also generate less waste.
Here are seven benefits to the environment of using eco-friendly packaging.
1. Using eco-friendly packaging reduces your carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that are released in the environment as a result of human activities.
The product lifecycle of packaging product undergoes various phases, from the extraction of raw materials to production, transportation, usage and end of the life cycle. Each phase releases a certain amount of carbon in the environment.
Eco-friendly packagings employ different methods in each of this process and hence reduce the overall carbon emissions, reducing our carbon footprint. Also, eco-friendly packagings release fewer carbon emissions during production and they are produced using highly recyclable materials which reduce our consumption of heavy-energy resources.
2. Eco-friendly materials are free from toxins and allergens.
Traditional packaging is produced from synthetic and chemical laden materials making it harmful for both consumers and manufacturers. Most bio-degradable packaging is non-toxic and made from allergy free materials.
Many people are concerned with what their packaging material is made of and the potential it can have on their health and well-being. Using toxic and allergen free packaging materials will give your consumers a chance to lead a healthy life style.
Though we still don’t have a large quantity of bio-degradable options, the available options are enough to make a smooth transition. Many of the available options can run on the same machines like that of traditional packaging materials, making their way to better affordability and easy implementation.
3. Eco-friendly products will become a part of brand message.
These days people are getting more environmentally conscious, they are constantly seeking out ways tomake a positive impact on the environment without making any major changes in their existing lifestyle. By using eco-friendly packaging you are giving your consumer a chance to make apositive impact on the environment.
Manufacturing companies can brand themselves as someone who is concerned about the environment. Consumers are more likely to engage with companies who are known for their ecological practices. This means that manufacturers must not only incorporate eco-friendly materials into their packaging but also be transparent about their product life-cycle management as well.
4. Eco-friendly packaging uses materials that are biodegradable.
In addition to reducing our carbon footprint, eco-friendly materials are beneficial in creating an impact even in their last stage of life cycle. These alternative packaging materials are biodegradable and made from recyclable materials, minimizing their negative impact on the environment. Disposal of traditional packaging materials needs more energy when compared to sustainable packaging material.
From a financial point of view, producing easy disposable materials can help manufacturing companies reduce their financial burden.
5. Eco-friendly packaging reduces usage of plastic material.
Most of the traditional packaging used is a single-use plastic material. Although plastics, Styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials are convenient to use, they negatively impact our environment causing all kinds of environmental problems like clogging water drains, rising global temperatures, polluting water bodies, etc.
Almost all packaging materials are thrown away after unwrapping which later gets clogged in rivers and oceans.Using eco-friendly materials will allow us to reduce the amount of plastic that we use.
Petrochemical materials which are usually used in all traditional plastics consume a lot of energy in production and disposal. Petrochemical packagings are also linked to health problems when associated with food.
6. Eco-friendly packagings are versatile.
Eco-friendly packagings are pretty versatile and can be reused and repurposed in all major industries where standard packaging is used. This means you can use these materials in a wide variety as compared to traditional packagings.
Traditional packaging not only harms our environment, but also limits the creativity in package designing. You will also have more options in working out creative forms and designs when it comes to eco-friendly packagings. Also, eco-friendly packagings can be used with most food products without worrying about unhealthy repercussion.
7. Eco-friendly packaging expands your customer base.
According to various global studies, the demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products is continuously rising. This is an opportunity for you to push yourself as an environmentally conscious organization.
Consumers today are looking for sustainable products when it comes to making their purchasing decisions. As the awareness is growing, more people are making a shift towards green packaging and hence going green will attract more consumers depending on your attitude towards the environment.
Conclusion
Our lack of concern towards our environment has been causing detrimental effects on well-being of our society.
Our approach towards green packaging material is one of the many things we could do to create a healthier environment than we currently live in.
In recent years, there has been a positive shift towards eco-friendly packagings. Whether your decision of choosing an environmental packaging is economical or environmental, choosing eco-friendly packagings has huge benefits.
