What You Need To Know About Eco-Friendly Packaging

What is eco-friendly packaging?

Eco-friendly packaging is any type of packaging that:

• Is easy to recycle or reuse
• Is safe for human use
• Poses no negative environmental impact
• Manufacturers can sustainably produce

Furthermore, eco-friendly packaging is made using recycled or recyclable materials. The production of this type of packaging also requires minimal energy consumption. Other terms for eco-friendly packaging include sustainable packaging or green packaging.

With the ever-increasing problem of plastic pollution, companies use eco-friendly packaging to:

• Help prevent pollution caused by plastic packaging
• Minimize the use of toxic chemicals or materials in packaging
• Encourage consumers to use products that have sustainable or recyclable packaging
• Raise awareness regarding the issue of global plastic pollution

‍

Which packaging materials are eco-friendly?

There are several eco-friendly packaging options available today, including:

‍

1. Corrugated board packaging

Corrugated board (or cardboard) packaging is a type of packaging that is composed of a flute corrugated sheet sandwiched between one or two flat liner boards. Here at PackM, we use corrugated board packaging that is made from recycled material, which makes it a very sustainable packaging. 

Corrugated board packaging is one of the most popular types of packaging for many reasons. Corrugated board packaging is lightweight and very durable, which makes it an ideal choice for shipping a wide variety of products. Corrugated board is also very cost-effective, so companies don’t have to spend a lot of money when sourcing their corrugated packaging.

‍

2. Kraft paper

Kraft paper is paper made of wood pulp from the kraft process. The kraft process is a method of converting wood into wood pulp that almost purely consists of cellulose fibers, which is the primary component of paper. 

Kraft paper is far more sustainable than regular white paper for various reasons. For one, kraft paper is cheaper to produce because it isn’t bleached, which is a costly process. Manufacturers can also produce kraft paper using all types of wood. Lastly, most of the chemicals used in making kraft paper are reusable, which makes kraft paper production highly sustainable.

Kraft paper is a popular packaging solution, and it’s easy to see why. Kraft paper is more durable than regular white paper. It also has a high tensile strength, which means it doesn’t tear easily. It is also lightweight and can be used in various packaging applications. All these advantages make kraft paper a low-cost, versatile, and eco-friendly packaging option.

‍

3. Compostable mailer boxes

Compostable packaging is any packaging that can disintegrate into the soil and release nutrients that encourage plant growth. However, the compostable packaging needs to be under the right conditions for it to decompose into the soil and release nutrients. Compostable packaging needs the right levels of bacteria, moisture, and oxygen.

There are two types of compostable packaging: 1) home-compostable packaging and 2) industrial compostable packaging. Home-compostable packaging contains materials that customers can just place in their home compost bins to decompose. Industrial compostable packaging, on the other hand, requires processing through an industrial composting facility for it to properly decompose.

The main benefit of using compostable packaging such as compostable mailer boxes is that you help prevent waste products from piling up in landfills. Compostable packaging is also made from organic, plant-based, and renewable materials, which means you help reduce fossil fuel dependency.

‍

4. Recycled packaging

Recycled packaging is any type of packaging that is mostly or completely made of recycled materials. Many companies now use recycled packaging, and they’ll proudly include disclaimers such as “This packaging is made of 75% recycled material.” or something similar on their packaging.

Like compostable packaging, using recycled packaging helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. You also help conserve natural resources because you reuse plastics and other materials instead of collecting new materials.

‍

What is the importance of eco-friendly packaging?

Eco-friendly packaging is becoming more and more important due to consumers' growing concern about sustainability. A study shows that a significant percentage of consumers are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products and prefer brands that demonstrate a commitment to the environment. Using recyclable, biodegradable, and non-toxic materials is essential not only to present a responsible image and build a positive relationship with customers, but to do your part as well in saving the environment.

PackM offers eco-friendly packaging to reduce carbon footprint, as these are made from biodegradable and recycled materials, leading to more efficient manufacturing processes.