Sustainability is not only important for the planet, but it could also be one of the most important elements of your brand. More and more consumers are showing marketing researchers that they respond to brands that invest in sustainability by investing in them. In fact, research shows that 87 percent of consumers worldwide prefer less packaging on products. To that point, there are many exciting sustainable packaging trends currently on the market. With this, when considering a packaging solution, businesses should take note of why folding carton packaging is trending in 2023 and consider its benefits in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and branding opportunities.
Returnable and Reusable Packaging
Single-use packaging revolutionized the notion of product delivery. Coffee packaging bags, for instance, come in a variety of sizes, including single-serve packets. Consumers enjoy the choices that this gives them. If they want the family-sized package, it’s on the same shelf as the travel-size. Reusable packaging, however, aims to transform single-use packaging into multi-use packaging.
Instead of being disposed of after reaching the consumer, reusable packaging is returned and recirculated over many trips. In practice, there are several ways that this could happen, including consumers getting their packages literally refilled right in front of them, or return ports for the single-use package, which then are simply cleaned, refilled and put back onto the shelf.
Transitioning to multi-use packaging means a lighter environmental burden, decreasing dependence on resources by lowering material production and reducing plastic waste. If consumers can still get a stick package for their coffee, tea or nutritional powders, they would likely invest in the process of reusing them.
Replacing Plastic With Paper
There is a great push happening worldwide to reduce the amount of plastic that is being produced. Paper and pulp packaging types are emerging as potential replacements for plastic, particularly in the food and beverage industry.
The stick pouches packaging packet is an example of a packaging type that could transition to paper-based packaging. Further, with rising eCommerce, the demand for paper-packaging solutions such as folding cartons, corrugated boxes and other flexible paper packaging options is trending to rise.
Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastic materials made from renewable biomass sources, such as corn starch, oils and vegetable fats, woodchips, sawdust, straw and even recycled food waste. This is an exciting sector in the sustainability realm because it shows how packaging options are becoming smarter, more intelligent and more active.
When it comes to manufacturing bioplastics, barriers still exist, such as the lack of industrial facilities that are designed to process them. However, new innovations and developments are happening around the proverbial clock, so as consumers show a continued interest in bioplastics packaging their favorite products, businesses will continue to have the will to transition their product manufacturing facilities toward biomass options.
Sustainability in your packaging could be a difference-maker because today’s consumers, all of whom inhabit the planet, have an ever-growing interest in supporting businesses that show an interest in protecting it. Employing custom printed stand up pouches is just one of the many flexible sustainable packaging options that exist that can show your brand to be not only a quality product, but one that’s concerned with the earth’s welfare. Visit a flexible packaging website today to see how you can expand your packaging options for tomorrow.
