Eco-friendly initiatives like the use of recyclable material, extensive recycling programs used to be quite voguish a decade earlier in the business world. Going green was observed as an initiative only top-tier companies would undertake. However, in the present times, it has become quite standard practice. Opting for sus XDF tainable practices is not an option anymore but a mandatory thing. Various organizations are switching to eco-friendly alternatives wherever possible and one of the prominent areas in which almost all the brands can go green is Packaging. Choosing eco-friendly packaging material and processes will eventually help in minimizing the waste leading to lower levels of pollution. 

Therefore, a lot of brands have been dipping their toes in the pond of sustainable packaging. It refers to the sourcing and development of packaging solutions that have minimal environmental impact and carbon footprint. Several forms of packaging appear to be sustainable in various amounts. Flexible packaging emerges as the most prominent as well as the most popular one.

Flexible Packaging = Sustainable Packaging

Flexible packaging, so far, appears to be the most suitable form of packaging which is sustainable and attractive at the same time. Flexible Packaging owes its growing popularity to a series of benefits that make it utterly preferable by both customers and brands. 

Customers prefer flexible pouches and bags to traditional containers because they are easy to open, transport and store. On the other hand, brands prefer flexible packaging options for they are much safer to transfer a product in. The flexible layers that make the package more versatile can be dropped, squashed and twisted while keeping their protective form.

However, that’s not all. Flexible packaging is preferred by all for its environment-friendliness. The modern flexible packaging is enveloped by a series of eco-friendly features, from the materials used to the thoughtfully created designs that extend its shelf life. It’s a wholesome process that brings together innovation and sustainability. 

Following are a few aspects that make flexible packaging sustainable.

Low Waste Production

Flexible packaging (pouches, etc.) accounts for the usage of 60% less plastic as compared to customary rigid packaging. It leads to waste reduction alongside lower production costs, meaning there will be less waste at the end of the package’s shelf life and it will also help the brand cut some costs. Conclusively, it makes flexible packaging potentially the most sustainable packaging design.

Transport-Efficiency

Transport-efficiency is a critical factor that seldom gets attention. While transporting flexible packaging and rigid packaging materials, a vehicle is bound to carry flexible packaging material in a higher amount than the rigid material. The reason being that flexible packaging materials are usually shipped either flat or on a roll like paper towels. Hence, a large number of packages can be shipped on a truck in one trip. It ultimately reduces the number of vehicles needed. By saving fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions, flexible packaging emerges as a transport-efficient and eco-friendly form of packaging.  

Product-to-Package Ratio

The product-to-package ratio is determined by the ratio of how much weight of a package belongs to the product and how much of it is the packaging material. Generally, flexible packaging has a higher product-to-package ratio when compared to other packaging formats. Hence, a large amount of product can be packed, shipped and stored in a lower amount of packaging material, making it a better choice for the environment. 

Material and Resource Efficiency

The recent demand for the use of eco-friendly packaging materials, recycling programs and efficient tools have led flexible packaging to use resources and material that result in less fossil fuel usage, greenhouse gas emissions and water usage than other forms of packaging.

Extended Shelf-life

Interestingly, the shelf-life extension factor of flexible packaging adds value to its sustainability cause. By extending a product or package’s shelf life it reducing the waste production of perishable items making it environment-friendly.

Go Green -> Choose Sustainable Packaging 

Adding some green to your brand’s identity is imperative in the present times, not only as a part of your social responsibility but to attract customers who only consider eco-friendly brands. 

Stark Packmate is here with a team of trained and experienced professionals to help you navigate the processes and practices of sustainable packaging. Contact us to go sustainable through flexible packaging!