Does your brand use environmentally friendly packaging?
If not, it may be time to rethink your design. Consumers seem to be showing a preference for eco-friendly products, designs, and businesses in 2021, and it’s expected that this trend will continue into 2022. In fact, the global green packaging market is projected to grow from $267.83 billion USD in 2021 to $385.34 billion USD by 2028, so it’s a good time to start looking into more sustainable packaging solutions, as your competition is likely doing the same.
For those who are looking to stay ahead of the eco-friendly packaging game, here are some of the eco-conscious packaging trends to watch out for in 2022.
Compostable Packaging
Some brands have already made the switch to compostable packaging, much to the joy of eco-conscious consumers. Instead of taking up space in a landfill, compostable packaging can break down and release nutrients into the earth, creating the right conditions for new plants to grow. It also helps minimize carbon emissions related to the hauling and processing of materials, further reducing a business’ carbon footprint. Some examples of compostable packaging that you may want to investigate include starch, paper, recycled paper pulp, and moulded palm fibre.
Smart or Connected Packaging
Have you noticed that some companies have been including QR codes on their packaging lately? This kind of smart or connected packaging uses these QR codes to allow brands to share information about their products that may be of interest to the customer. If they’re trying to appeal to the eco-conscious consumer, they may include information about the product’s source ingredients, what kinds of sustainable practices were used to produce it, and information on how to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Essentially, you’re letting your customers learn more about your products without creating any extra waste, which is a win for both the customer and the environment.
Micro-Perforated Films
If you’re in the food business, then you may want to consider using micro-perforated films in your packaging materials. These films contain tiny holes that allow air to circulate around the product while still protecting it from the outside environment. This can help extend the shelf life of products such as fresh produce, which in turn helps reduce food waste. The less wasteful we are the better for the environment, and customers will likely appreciate the effort.
Local Packaging Suppliers
While using eco-friendly packaging materials are an important step toward implementing more sustainable practices, they’re certainly not the only piece of the puzzle. If brands really want to show some accountability for their environmental impact, then they also need to consider how they’re going to reduce their carbon footprint. And one of the best ways to do this is to support local.
Companies that choose local packaging suppliers over those overseas can cut down significantly on the fuel emissions that come along with shipping packages all over the world, which is good news for the environment. And, as a bonus, customers tend to like brands that invest in their local community, so you’d be appealing to both the eco-conscious and those who strive to support local.