Starting a product-based business? If yes, one thing you should never ignore is investing in eco-friendly packaging. It will not only protect the environment but will also help you build an ethical image in the competitive market.
The success of your business depends on how you present your products and how customers perceive them. Sustainability is one of the most common concerns among customers and industry leaders.
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So why not focus on it? The more your brand promotes environmental well-being, the greater impact it will have on your customers. We will explore 6 packaging choices that can help protect the environment!
1.Sustainable Gift Packaging
You must have sustainable gift packaging. It is not necessary to customize gift packaging only when you run a gift shop. Aren't you interested in promoting your business? You can also use gift packaging for giveaways or as a part of a loyalty program to foster brand loyalty.
Use reusable, washable, and recyclable gift packaging to portray your brand’s commitment to sustainability. Some excellent gift packaging options include kraft boxes or bags, cardboard boxes, tin and glass containers, or custom rigid boxes.
Even if you want to sell your products during the holiday season, you would need gift packaging to resonate with your target audience’s preferences. For example, if you are looking for candle gift box ideas, you must use rustic kraft boxes for candles that are not only biodegradable but also stylish.
Likewise, you can use tin or glass containers as primary packaging for your candles to ensure sustainability and style.
2.Reusable High-End Packaging
Whether you run a food or cosmetic business, some of your premium products need to be packed in packaging that shows their exclusivity. Your high-ticket items should be packed in sustainable packaging that also looks stylish and reflects the essence of the product.
Reusable packaging is one of the best options for packing high-ticket items because it offers long-term value and storage to your customers. Also, customers perceive your products as of high value when they are then packaged in reusable tin, glass, or rigid box packaging.
The best practice for small businesses is to get robust packaging for special occasions, like choosing Christmas boxes with a ribbon in the holiday season. Such embellished boxes can be reused by the recipients again for gifting purposes.
These boxes are mostly made from rigid stock, which is known for its rigidity and luxurious appeal. Custom rigid boxes are recyclable, functional, and versatile. Also, reusable fabric tote bags can work as an excellent alternative to plastic gift bags.
3.Non-Reactive Glass Jars
Another excellent packaging option you may use to give a boost to your start-up is glass jars, which are not only reusable but also recyclable. The best thing about glass jar packaging is that it is versatile.
Various industries like food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and retail depend on glass jar packaging to present their products in style while extending shelf life.
Glass jars are non-reactive, meaning they not only preserve your products for a longer period but also keep products safe from all kinds of chemical reactions. You can customize the thickness of glass jar packaging to ensure its durability.
Although glass packaging can be broken down into pieces when exposed to high pressure. At the same time, broken glass can be recycled to create new glass packaging. You can promote a circular economy model to boost sustainable branding for your business using glass packaging in all forms.
4.Sustainable Shipping Packaging
Every product-based business needs to deliver products over long distances due to the consumers' drastic shift to online shopping. This is why every brand must have shipping packaging that withstands the shipping shocks to ensure safe product delivery to the customers.
One of the most sustainable and protective packaging options for shipping products is corrugated cardboard boxes, which are known for their robust construction. Paper-based materials are used to create eco-friendly and sturdy corrugated mailer boxes.
Multiple layers of cardstock are adhered to the kraft flutes to create corrugated cardboard, which is used for creating shipping boxes and stiffeners. From small mailer boxes to large moving cartons, corrugated cardboard is used for creating all kinds of sustainable shipping packaging.
Also, another excellent eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam inserts is eco-friendly mushroom inserts. Likewise, honeycomb paper can also be replaced with bubble wrap to promote sustainability.
5.Responsibly Sourced Plant-Based Packaging
Another sustainable packaging choice you can make to build a positive brand image is to use plant-based packaging. It can be created from different sources of plants and customized in different forms. For example, paper-based packaging like cardstock or kraft paper is primarily sourced from wood pulp and paper fibers.
However, producing large volumes of paper-based packaging will require deforestation, which may affect the environment. This is why using plant waste as raw materials for creating sustainable packaging could be a great idea.
You can consider replacing paper-based packaging with sugarcane packaging, which is made from the leftover part of the sugarcane, named bagasse. Likewise, other plant waste, like mushroom root parts, could be used to create packaging inserts that can be used to ship fragile items over long distances.
Also, plant starches like corn starch can be used for creating bioplastics that can be used as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic.
6.Corrosion-Resistant Tin Packaging
When it comes to promoting environmental sustainability through packaging, tin packaging is an effective option. You can ensure products’ extended shelf life, especially of food and cosmetic items, using tin packaging.
Also, tin packaging is corrosion-resistant because it is made from tinplate-coated steel, which prevents corrosion and chemical reactions. Tin containers are reusable; therefore, a historic trust is linked with them because they have been used for years to pack premium cookies.
These containers are also recyclable, helping you build an ethical image in the competitive market. Another benefit of using tin packaging is that it has an excellent visual appeal that draws maximum customer attention, whether they are placed in a retail store or seen on an online shopping platform.
As compared to boxed packaging, tin packaging is lightweight, which helps reduce shipping costs. Thus, it is proven to be cost-effective and offers value for money to your business.
Whether you are planning to start a business or working on it, sustainable packaging is a must-have for your product-based business to outperform the competition. Exploring as many sustainable packaging options as possible can help you pick the one that aligns with your products while helping you build an ethical image. Find a custom packaging company to customize your preferred sustainable packaging from the options discussed in this blog and uplift your brand.