Plastic packaging is convenient and efficient but its tremendous impact on the environment obliges us to adopt new sustainable solutions.

Plastic packaging can be extremely wasteful due to how we use and dispose of it. And this impacts the Earth’s ecosystems on which we depend. Due to poor product design and lack of political infrastructure, the majority of plastic waste is sent to landfills or ends up as rubbish scattered across our lands and seas.
In addition, it has been estimated that at least 8 million tons of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year. Plastic pollution threatens wildlife, alters ecosystems and poses risks to human health.

Sustainable Solutions

Ultimately, it is the end-use of plastic and how we dispose of it that is having such an impact on our environment. This is unlikely to change immediately and it is therefore necessary to find solutions that could reduce the production and the use of plastic packaging in order to decrease the chance of such damage. Some key areas of focus should be:

• Invest in innovative ways to package goods that reduce plastic use and packaging waste

Previously, we already discussed some innovative ideas to replace packaging especially in the food packaging industry. Some of them are certainly bioplastics, dissolving and edible plastics, not to mention ‘no packaging’ solutions.

• Increase recyclable content

While making the packaging 100 percent recyclable is important, reusing material that has already been produced reduces the environmental costs of production and disposal. Therefore, not only it is important to cut down the amount of plastic used in packaging but also switching to higher recycled content and making sure that all the packaging components are recyclable.

• Standardize recycling labels on products

Over the past couple of years, we have seen a wider variety of plastics are also being used to package the everyday items we purchase. This complexity has in many ways altered consumers’ understanding of what they think is recyclable. More and more, non-recyclables are finding their way into single-stream containers. Therefore, contamination rates – or the percentage of trash mixed with recyclables – has steadily climbed over the years. Subsequently, about a quarter of everything consumers place in recycling bins ultimately is not able to be recycled by the programs that collect them.

The Resin Identification Code (RIC)

A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. However, the presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
The symbols—then collectively called the Resin Identification Code (RIC)—were developed in 1988 by the organization now known as the Plastics Industry Association.

Plastic Packaging Types

Understanding the plastic types can help consumers like you make more informed decisions related to your health and the environment.

If you look at the number inside the triangle on your plastic packaging, it will range from one to seven. This will tell you both the type of plastic used and which type is recyclable or even reusable.

1. PET or PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate

This is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages. This material also has wide applications in the textile, medical, electrical/electronic and automotive industries. Certainly, it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle.

Recyclable: YES, PET is 100% recyclable. In fact, it is one of the most recycled thermoplastics. It can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs as long as it has been emptied and rinsed of any food.

Reusable: Technically yes, but not suggested. PET is meant for single-use applications; repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth.

2. HDPE – High-Density Polyethylene

It is a versatile material with many uses, especially when it comes to packaging. This type of plastic is extremely common and one of the safest to use. Most milk jugs, detergent containers, and oil bottles are made from HDPE. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many types of goods.

Recyclable: YES.

Reusable: technically yes, but generally the bottles made of HDPE are intended for only one-time use.

3. PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride

PVC is one of the most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer (about 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year). It is a flexible plastic and generally cheap so it is used for a huge array of household products and packaging.

The rigid form of PVC is used in construction for pipe and in profile applications such as doors and windows. It is also used in making bottles, non-food packaging, food-covering sheets and cards. It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers. In this form, it is also used in plumbing, electrical cable insulation, imitation leather, flooring, signage, inflatable products and many applications where it replaces rubber.

Recyclable: Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products. A major problem in the recycling of PVC is the high chlorine content in raw PVC and high levels of hazardous additives added to the polymer to achieve the desired material quality. As a result, PVC requires separation from other plastics before recycling.

Reusable: not suggested. They contain toxins which leach throughout its entire life cycle.

4. LDPE – Low-Density Polyethylene

This is a hard- flexible thermoplastic with many applications. In fact, most plastic wrapping is made of this material. It is also used to make grocery bags and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves and fresh produce, among other things. While this may not be the most popular type of plastic for household supplies and food containers, LDPE is present in the home in the form of plastic bags that we use for frozen foods and such like.

Recyclable: LDPE can be recycled, however, the way this is done, and the complexities faced depends on the nature of the plastic. For example, flexible products are more difficult to recycle, especially as they tend to be contaminated by the item they are packaging. The more rigid form of LDPE is easier to recycle and it can often be collected and recycled by curbside recycling programs. You do need to check with your Local Authority to make sure that it can be recycled within your area.

Reusable: YES.

5. PP – Polypropylene

This type of plastic has a high melting point, so it is often chosen for containers that will hold hot liquid. In fact, PP is used to make the food containers for products like yogurt, sour cream and margarine. It is also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps. A number of Governments have completely banned this type of material when in ‘straw’ format.

Recyclable: It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers. Because it breaks apart so easily, it is also found ingested by marine animals and littering beaches.

Reusable: Not suggested. Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave).

6. PS – Polystyrene or Styrofoam

This material is a naturally transparent thermoplastic that is available as both a typical solid plastic as well in the form of a rigid foam material. PS plastic is commonly used in a variety of consumer product applications and is also particularly useful for commercial packaging. The solid plastic form of polystyrene is commonly used in medical device applications or in day-to-day items. The foam form of polystyrene is used most often as a packing material.
Since polystyrene is lightweight and easy to form into plastic materials, it also breaks effortlessly, making it more harmful to the environment. Beaches all over the world are littered with pieces of polystyrene, endangering the health of marine animals.

Recyclable: It is generally considered to be difficult to recycle.

Reusable: YES.

7. Miscellaneous Plastics

A wide variety of plastic resins that do not fit into the previous categories are lumped into this one. These plastics include nylon, PLA (polylactic acid), and polycarbonate and are found in certain food containers, signs and displays, computers and electronic devices, DVDs, sunglasses, and bulletproof materials.

Recyclable: These plastics are almost never recycled, but they could be transformed into plastic lumber and certain custom-made products.

Reusable: YES.

Plastic Packaging Recyclability

The conditions to successfully recycle plastics are multiple and in some cases more complex than others. Not only have you to consider the particular type of material but also its current conditions, for example regarding cleanliness, contamination and toxicity. Moreover, in each country, every town and city has different recycling programs, so you will often have to check your location’s rules to find out exactly what you can recycle. Not to mention that these could change over the time.

Sustainable Packaging – Our commitment

Plastic is not a bad material, but we have a shared responsibility to ensure that we are using it in manufacturing responsibly and giving consumers the opportunity to dispose of it in the least harmful way to the environment. We are working with our clients on many initiatives around sustainable packaging and products from across our sourcing markets. This includes bamboo packaging, the use of PCR in plastic packaging and re-engineering boxes to be made from pulp materials. Understanding your market, consumer and price-points are key aspects of identifying opportunities for you to look at sustainable packaging options.

We have local teams on the ground already working with suppliers in this field. Surely, we will be more than happy to discuss your needs with you. For all your sustainable packaging requirements, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com

Bamboo packaging is a great sustainable option and has become a staple choice in the modern, eco-conscious world.

The Rise of Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging is becoming an important topic for companies all over the world. The primary reason is that it is becoming important to the Consumer. In fact, recently IBM released a study on global consumer trends — revealing that the importance of brand purpose now surpasses cost and convenience for shoppers. This means that Consumers are now prioritizing goods that are sustainable, transparent and aligned with their core values when making these purchase decisions.

A Challenging Choice for Businesses

The challenge for all businesses is to develop packaging which meets the objective of sustainability, but also performs the tasks for which the packaging is required. So not only should it keep the product safe but also respect the environment. Let’s think about the origin of materials, recyclability of the final product, not to mention ethics and compliance factors. In addition, it should stay within the budgetary reach of manufacturers, distributors and consumers. In a nutshell, it should still be able to meet any company’s market requirements in terms of cost, performance and safety.

Bamboo Packaging

Because of these new market trends, manufacturers around the world are beginning to implement eco-friendly materials in their manufacturing processes. Amongst several options, they increasingly choose bamboo as the material of choice because it has is durable, can be used in different forms and has less environmental impact.

We already explained the reasons why Bamboo is a great material in the Furniture industry. But why is it so popular now also in packaging?

The Great Features of Bamboo Packaging

1. Locally available

There are over 1,000 different species of bamboo that grow in many different parts of the world. Consequentially, this allows manufacturers to locally source bamboo for their packaging and reduces our packaging carbon footprint.

2. Low-Cost

Bamboo cultivation itself does not require a lot of land, resources, or time. This means that it’s much more easily accessible for manufacturers.

Also, bamboo is not a tree, but a plant. Growing and cultivating bamboo requires less land and resources than other materials. Since bamboo grows around the world, it’s much easier to access. Alternatively, companies can source bamboo in many countries around the world and they can also recycle the material. This reduces the impact on agriculture whilst reducing production and transportation costs.

In addition, this plant does not require pesticides, irrigation, or replanting to achieve this growth. In fact, in a crop-friendly harvest, it does not have to be replanted afterward. That means lower impact and higher sustainability.

3. Biodegradable and Compostable

Bamboo fiber is a natural cellulose fiber and it can totally biodegrade in the soil in the presence of micro-organisms and sunshine. The decomposition process does not pollute the environment. Depending on the type of composting, the bamboo handle can take from 3 years to 4 months to compost.

4. High Renewability

Bamboo has a rapid growth rate, making it an abundant resource easily.
In fact, bamboo grasses are the fastest growing woody plants in the world. They can grow up to almost 61 cm (24 inches) per day. The bamboo can be harvested after just three to seven days – much faster than hardwood. Therefore, bamboo is highly renewable and an ideal alternative to foams, corrugated board, and molded paper fiber materials.

5. Environmental Friendly

Bamboo plants promote soil health. The deep root systems protect the soil from erosion. In addition, bamboo is naturally pest-resistant and can be grown without any chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Moreover, bamboo absorbs 2x more carbon dioxide than trees, which is why they are known to act as carbon sinks. It also generates a vast amount of oxygen, totaling up to 30% more than most plants and trees.

6. Durable and Sturdy

Bamboo has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick, and concrete. In addition, many compare it often to steel for its rigid strength. In fact, like steel, bamboo can withstand heavy loads and can be stretched and pulled enormously. This material can also withstand heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Importantly, bamboo has an astounding strength and lifespan whilst remaining light and easy to carry around.

7. Anti-bacterial

Bamboo fibres are naturally anti-bacterial without needing any toxic chemical treatments, all thanks to its substance called ‘bamboo kun’.
Bamboo kun is found in bamboo fibre and is an antimicrobial bio-agent which gives bamboo its natural antibacterial properties. This prevents bacteria and microbes from growing on bamboo products making it the perfect plant for naturally hygienic products such as bamboo straws and cutlery, keeping them sterile and fresh.

Advantages of Bamboo Packaging for Companies

Certainly, bamboo is a great material because of it multiple characteristics. But why should a company opt for bamboo packaging and how would it benefit from it?

Versatility & Innovation

Bamboo has quickly become a significant alternative in the sustainable materials market. It’s an eco-friendly replacement for metal, plastic, hardwood, paper, and cotton. This material has made it into nearly every corner of our lives from being used in toothbrushes and fabrics to toilet paper and everything in between. It offers a high level of durability and when used as a material for packaging, it keeps this important feature of with versatility. For this reason, you can use as packaging for many industries, like apparel, food, cosmetics and more. Moreover, designers are truly innovating the packaging sector by experimenting new great design adopting this material.

Bamboo Packaging Sustainability

With the increased awareness and concern over climate change, consumers and companies are constantly searching for environmentally responsible options for their everyday needs. Consumers want to support companies that are prioritizing the earth’s health, and bamboo packaging is a sustainable option.

From a positioning perspective, by incorporating eco-friendly practices into your business operations, you will be able to engage more environmentally conscious customers and this will help you widen your customer base. Sharing the same values as your customer will definitely allow you to strengthen your relationship.

Bamboo Packaging Price

Bamboo is essentially a ‘weed’ and to that extent is abundant across many countries – particularly within Asia. One of the challenges of looking for sustainable alternatives is that for some materials, the costs can be prohibitive, possibly outweighing the benefit should the consumer not want to pay the additional cost.

As sustainable materials go, Bamboo is well priced given the abundant supplies, and is therefore an alternative packaging material that companies are working with.

Eco-friendly packaging solutions from O.Berk Company

Are You Looking for Sustainable Bamboo Packaging ?

At ET2C we care deeply about the environment and are doing what we can to understand more about the broader sustainable packaging market. We are working hard to understand what is best suited to our clients. It is a complex environment that requires specific market, product and even segment knowledge to get both the right option at a consumer level but to also be relevant to the regulatory environment of a specific market. Wasting less and being mindful of the amount of materials used in packaging is a good start.

For all your packaging queries, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com

Packaging is a hot topic nowadays and food packaging is a key part of this. Considering that over the past ten years, we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century. There is therefore growing concern at a consumer level of its usage in food packaging and the potential impact on foods.

Is Plastic Bad for Food Packaging?

As a general point, plastic is an amazingly durable and flexible material that offers many advantages. For this reason, it is certainly difficult to replace it with alternatives. For the food industry, plastic protects food, guarding it against pressure, humidity, light, and the bacteria that accelerate rot.

Given how we live, the food we expect and the distances produce has to often travel to get to us, plastic has become an essential part of the Food industry. Often this is for single-use purposes and this is part of the issue with plastics; its end-use. Ironically, a product that is intended to be used only once (such as the majority of food packaging) is made of compounds that will last a hundred lifetimes.

Sustainable Packaging: opportunities in a new market

Green consumers are making consumption choices amongst an ever-growing selection of ‘green products’, which extends beyond the product itself. This would include food packaging. In particular, consumers, with the support of Governments in many markets, are losing their tolerance for packaging that is not easily recyclable or have other properties that lessen its impact on the environment.

What are, therefore, some sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging?

1.Bioplastics

(Excuse the technical terminology in advance !).

These plastics contain some ingredients from renewable biological sources, such as vegetable fats, plant starches and wood fibres. We can list them into two main categories:

A. PLA (polylactic acids)

Currently, the cheapest bioplastic on the market, commonly found in food packaging. It is a form of polyester made by fermenting ingredients like corn starch or sugar cane.

B. PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)

This is a form of polyester created and stored by bacteria when fermenting sugar or fats. Compared to PLA, it can withstand higher temperatures.

Pros and Cons of Bioplastics

Creating bioplastics requires less energy than more conventional plastics. This means that a substance like PLA, for example, produces less carbon dioxide during its production. In addition, some bioplastics use less water during production compared with conventional choices and generate fewer greenhouse gases when they biodegrade in the landfill. An important point to note is that biodegradable plastics often require certain conditions and it, therefore, requires Government-backed incentives that provide specific managed sites for the biodegrading process to be effective.

Under these right conditions, microorganisms can convert biodegradable bioplastics into water and carbon dioxide in a few weeks. But many biodegradable products may still contain conventional plastic, making them more difficult to break down.

Classification of Bioplastics.

According to their particular proprieties, bioplastics can be classified into the following categories:

• Non-biodegradable bioplastics (BIO-PET, BIO-PE, PA)
Although made from natural materials like sugar cane, they are chemically identical to some petroleum-based plastics.
• Partially biodegradable or “durable” bioplastics
Microorganisms can break these down into smaller pieces of plastic under the right conditions. However, this process generally takes longer than 3-6 months.
• Biodegradable bioplastics
They can break down into carbon and water due to the work of microorganisms. However, they are not compostable.
• Compostable plastics
Most of these plastics need industrial facilities to fully decompose.

2. Dissolving Packaging

Designers are working on new forms of food packaging to replace the unsustainable designs. Some new ephemeral alternatives to plastic, for example, can actually dissolve. This type of packaging covers a wide range: bowls made of mushrooms, cups fashioned from seaweed, and detergent-style pods for food.

Packaging that disappears is now an emerging market and definitely a trend. The water-soluble bags made from food-grade ingredients for pre-portioned oatmeal or rice are more and more frequently used. Moreover, innovative solutions that might seem bizarre but are definitely succeeding in merging functionality and sustainability. Imagine an oil bottle made from caramelized sugar, coated with wax, that cracks open like an egg. Or a smoothie container made from seaweed that will wither at the same rate as its contents, and a peelable beeswax package for rice or other dry goods.

Definitely, innovation is not the complete solution to the problem of plastic waste, but it is a critical start.

3. Edible Packaging

Let’s face it: plastic is hard to beat for packaging: it is cheap, light, and versatile and has excellent mechanical properties. However, there is broad concern about the plastic waste in food packaging and this is too often visible in the common items that end up as litter and pollution in our rivers and oceans.
Wrappers, straws, cutlery, bottles have been rethought to become a sustainable alternative to classic (polluting) options.
A new brilliant trend to replace these items with sustainable alternatives is edible food packaging.
Some companies and academic researchers are trying carbohydrates from sources other than seaweed and other groups are working with proteins (even milk protein casein to make transparent films).

Pros and Cons of Edible Food Packaging

Customers might not like the idea of eating something that usually they throw away. However, edible packaging comes from renewable sources and even if it isn’t something people actually want to eat, it would still be biodegradable, disappearing much faster than single-use plastics or even compostable bioplastics.

Another aspect worth considering is that packaging generally keeps the food from bacteria and harmful substances. Therefore, eating a food’s wrapper raises potential hygiene concerns.

4. No Packaging

Sometimes, the best solution is no packaging at all and in some cases, we can definitely avoid packaging.
Let’s think about nature, which does edible packaging pretty well! Apple and grape skins protect the fruit from microbes and the environment. Humans have also been making consumable packaging for decades: sausage casings made of collagen and cellulose, and ice cream cones for example.

Changes in the way we buy, consume, and dispose of packaging is important as well. We can therefore opt for plenty of sustainable choices in our everyday life. For example, you can bring your own refillable drink bottle instead of buying disposable, single-use plastic bottles. Likewise, you can use your own reusable bag when shopping. Another option is to buy products that have no or less packaging or that can be refilled rather than those that are single-use.

Are you looking for sustainable food packaging?

At ET2C we care deeply about the environment and are doing what we can to understand more about the broader sustainable packaging market. Whether this is for food stuffs (particularly for our staff in our own offices) and single-use plastic, or packaging for other products, we are working hard to understand what is best suited to our clients. It is a complex environment that requires specific market, product and even segment knowledge to get both the right option at a consumer level but to also be relevant to the regulatory environment of a specific market. Wasting less and being mindful of the amount of materials used in packaging is a good start.

For all your queries, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com

Download the full infographic here.

Cover – photo credits: Holly Grounds.

Green Consumerism has increased the demand for goods and services based on environmentally friendly manufacturing principals.

Today, we are facing incredible environmental challenges. Rising sea levels, increasing global temperatures and deforestation to name just a few. All these factors are raising awareness amongst us all as citizens. As consumers across the planet start to use their spending to support environmentally friendly manufacturing through eco conscious consumerism.

The origin of this necessity to behave in an environmentally friendly way goes back to the ‘60s and ’70s. Since then, there has been a steady rise in global initiatives dedicated to sustainability. For example, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1988), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Climate Agreement (2016) are all milestones on the path towards reducing the harmful human impact on our environment.

What is Green Consumerism ?

Over time, “sustainability” has evolved from a simple buzzword to a mindset that has driven the consumption landscape to change. The breadth of available environmental data clearly points to an urgent need for collective action to minimize and reduce the harm that we have already inflicted on our planet. Empowered by the increased availability of data online and on social media, Green consumers are making consumption choices based on the environmental credentials of the products. We can define this ‘green consumerism or Eco consumerism through the following characteristics: Ethical purchase choice, product use and post-use;
Purchase and use of products with lower environmental impacts; andUse of organic products, made with low impact processes and can then easily be disposed of through recycling, biodegradability, or composability.

The importance of green consumerism, therefore, includes:

• Reduced waste in packaging;
• Increased energy efficiency;
• Decreased release of emissions and other pollutants during production and transportation processes;
• Consumption of healthier, less environmentally harmful, foods.

Millennials Driving the Change to Eco Consumerism

Whilst sustainable materials are more of a consideration for younger generations. In fact, they are more conscious about their purchases reflecting their values, as emerged in the Global Web Index data. Millennials (aged 22-35) are more likely than any other generation to say that they would pay extra for sustainable products. Eco consumerism is driving a range of behaviours in consumers as they seek to purchase more environmentally beneficial products

Whose Responsibility is it to Initiate Change?

The consumers that Global Web Index surveyed in the UK and U.S. admitted they felt most responsible for the future of the planet. However, 52% believed responsibility lies with manufacturers or production bodies. This is an important point and, although the eco consumer can drive some of this change, there is also a need for multiple stakeholders to engage in sustainability across the supply chain and beyond, including regulatory bodies and Governments. Eco consumers can play and increasingly important role in purchasing products but those products have to have a clear end of life plan. Ensuring recycling of materials and reuse of materials and avoiding landfill.Eco Conscious Consumers desire for Sustainable Packaging: From a Nice-to-Have to a Must-Have
The importance of green consumerism has been recognised by Retailers and Brands. Aspects such as packaging need to be reassessed and re-engineered with the environmental impact considered. Characteristics such as function, materials, recycling and end of life plan all need to be addressed in line with specific market regulations and trends.
Clearly, a huge variety of innovative packaging solutions emerged to reduce the environmental impact and meet eco customer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly options. We have identified 3 key trends in Sustainable Packaging this year:

• Design for recycling/reuse
• Replace plastic with bioplastic
• Increased use of paper packaging

Eco Conscious Consumers desire for Sustainable Packaging: From a Nice-to-Have to a Must-Have

The importance of green consumerism has been recognised by Retailers and Brands. Aspects such as packaging need to be reassessed and re-engineered with the environmental impact considered. Characteristics such as function, materials, recycling and end of life plan all need to be addressed in line with specific market regulations and trends.

Clearly, a huge variety of innovative packaging solutions emerged to reduce the environmental impact and meet eco customer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly options. We have identified 3 key trends in Sustainable Packaging this year:

The cost of Environmentally friendly manufacturing

While Eco conscious consumers are genuinely concerned about the future of the environment, they are also price-conscious. This presents a significant challenge for manufacturers and brands to overcome. As we explained previously, environmentally-friendly alternatives tend to have a higher cost attached to them. The importance of green consumerism will drive choice but not necessarily an opportunity to raise prices.

The relationship between affordability and sustainability is a complex one. As illustrated in the below graphic, the gap between affordability and eco-consciousness grows larger with age. This is no doubt due to younger generations being more engaged in green consumerism for their own future in comparison with the mindset of their elder relatives. However, there are also issues with the ‘e-comm age’. For example, the younger generations have grown up in the age of e-commerce and have an expectation that all goods can be delivered to your doorstep at the click of a button. This should sit awkwardly in the context of sustainability given the carbon footprint of all these packages being sent to their door. The importance of green consumerism will lead to more companies and their stakeholders engaged across all aspects of their product offer from delivery, manufacturing through to packaging, which will further address the broader sustainable spectrum. Design for recycling/reuse , Replace plastic with bioplastic , Increased use of paper packaging

Importance of Green Consumerism, turning Challenges into Opportunities.

Manufacturers and Brands have identified this emerging eco conscious consumer segment and are already devoting resource to develop greener, more sustainable products, reducing waste in packaging and providing better options around end use as well.

Whilst eco conscious consumers are driving this shift in the demand for ‘Greener’ products, Brands are also educating them on the possible options that can be made around sustainable choices. This can be seen for example in Nike’s flyknit technology that reduces waste on the factory floor or Adidas who have pledged to use 100% recycled polyester in their products by 2024 to end Ocean plastic.

Brands not engaged in discussions around sustainability will find that there is additional strain put on their customer loyalty. In fact, Brands are now moving towards ‘Purpose’ and ‘Activism’ as part of what they stand for. Certainly, this trend is likely to continue as eco conscious consumers look to Brands who stand for their own beliefs; including sustainability.

ET2C Sustainable Solutions

At ET2C, we are serious about sustainability and its benefit on the environment as well as the ultimate commercial benefits for purpose-driven companies. For this reason, sustainability will be a central part of our strategic initiatives in 2021. In particular, we will look for sustainable options across factories, products, and packaging for our clients. We have already attained FSC certification and are continuously assessing other opportunities to continue our sustainability journey.

To understand more about sustainability and what it can mean across your factories, products and people, please contact us at sustainability@et2cint.com.

This content was originally published on the 28^th of September 2020 and updated on the [insert new publish date.

This content was originally published on the 28th of September 2020 and updated on the [insert new publish date.

An Evolution over the last decade.

There has been a growing movement towards sustainable packaging over the past 10 years. This has been spurred on by increasing awareness of the damage and impacts the output of consumerism is having on the planet. Plastic features highly across media outlets with images of sea life sharing their habitats with plastic bags, microplastics, etc. Governments have certainly played their part too, by banning plastic straws in certain markets for example.

Certainly, the focus on environmentally friendly packaging had a slow start over the first half of the decade. There was a lack of understanding around what it meant at a corporate level. Even though corporate sustainability goals existed, they were more centered around energy, water, transportation. We have since seen sustainable packaging become a more prominent component of retailers, brands and wholesalers corporate sustainability goals alongside an increased awareness on the end of the use of packaging.

The New Era of Sustainable Packaging Thinking

Around the period 2015 -2017, we saw the development of more and more recycling programs and new standardized labeling systems that set out and explain the recycling instructions to the consumer. Brands started to learn what the impact was on their value proposition. For example, many organisations, both in the private and public sectors, created plastic ban programs to reduce the waste of plastics and other materials that were having a detrimental impact on the environment.

In the past couple of years, this interest (particularly at a consumer level) in sustainability has surged. The concept of the Circular Economy has gained significant momentum and this has focused considerable attention also on sustainable packaging. With a more engaged consumer, it has resulted in a tipping point for many retailers and brands to remain relevant. A huge variety of innovative packaging solutions has been designed to reduce the environmental impact and meet customer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly options.

Sustainable Packaging Trends in 2020

Although everyone today talks about sustainability, finding sustainable solutions and providing them to clients is still challenging for many companies. However, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and many have searched for innovative solutions that could support the cause.

In this article we briefly listed the main sustainable packaging trends for 2020, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.

1. Design for recycling/reuse

Waste hierarchy is a tool for the evaluation of processes that protects the environment alongside resource and energy consumption from most favorable to least favorable actions. The hierarchy establishes preferred program priorities based on sustainability, using the common methodology when talking about sustainability. These are the ‘3Rs’ of Sustainability; Reuse – Reduce – Recycle.

Recycling

While waste management has become more and more important for governments and companies, growing attention has been paid to Recycling as well. As mentioned, sustainable packaging is still very challenging for most of the companies. In fact, in order to be recycled, post-consumer packaging has to fulfill a long list of requirements (e.g., separability, cleanliness, labeling, and coloration) – even to the point that different variation of plastics may need to be separated for a recycling plant to use the waste material effectively.

It is not so obvious to many that manufacturers trying to fulfill those requirements may have to use more material and energy when they produce the packaging than they have done up until now. This will impact the price at a time when the consumer has an abundance of product choice.

Additionally, just because a packaging product is designed for recycling, this does not automatically mean that it will be recycled. Designing for recycling is certainly crucial to find sustainable solutions in the short term. However, cultural and educational components are involved and governments have to ensure that recyclability equals recycling. Both the education of the end-user and the availability of recycling systems is key.

Reusing

For the same reason, reuse is even more difficult to envision than recycling, given our current mindset. Manufacturers should therefore consider any additional impact on the material design changes. Also, they have to calculate the additional impact of transporting, washing, sanitizing (possibly even tracking) and refilling those reusable containers.

In conclusion, while companies have to re-think products and Sustainable Packaging, governments and organisations have to work on infrastructures and culture to make these changes truly effective.

2. Replace plastic with bioplastic

Another trend on the rise is the increased use of bioplastics to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics.
Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources (such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, etc.) and their demand has largely increased in the last decade.

The most common types are:

• Starch-based plastics
Thermoplastic starch currently represents the most widely used bioplastic, constituting about 50% of the bioplastics market;
• Cellulose-based plastics
Mainly cellulose esters, (including cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose) and their derivatives, including celluloid;
• Protein-based plastics
Bioplastics that derive from proteins from different sources.

Of course, benefits in using bio-based plastics are obvious. However, to make a realistic estimation of their true benefits, it’s essential to investigate many factors, such as the origin of the components used and the resources needed to cultivate and collect them.

3. The return of paper

Paper is even more frequently suggested as a substitute for plastic packaging than bioplastics (for example, paper cups and bags). However, paper Sustainable Packaging generally requires several times more mass to fulfill the same function as its plastic counterpart.
In fact, paper as an alternative – as with so many ‘environmentally-friendly’ industries – also has an environmental impact.

You need approximately 17 trees to produce one ton of paper so replacing plastic with paper could likely create a severe supply problem. If we were to replace all plastics with paper, we must either cut down more forests or find areas for reforestation.

In addition, the paper industry is the third one that most fossil fuels need to. Moreover, it the first one in the industry sector with the greatest need of water and chemical additives to bleach the paper, additives which are highly polluting for the environment.

Major global accreditation systems

To check if the paper belongs to well managed environmentally logging, you can consider the major global accreditation systems:

ISO14001 – international environmental management system
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council – Promotes responsible stewardship of the world’s forest www.fsc.org
Chain of Custody – covers all wood processes from the forest to the consumer
PEFC – Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – recognizes sustainable forestry management practices www.pefc.org
EMAS – Eco-Management and Audit System – European Council regulation.

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

AT ET2C, we’re serious about sustainability and its benefit to our existence as well as the ultimate commercial benefits for purpose-driven companies. For this reason, we are investing in Sustainable Packaging in 2020 continuing to look for options for our clients both on product and packaging. We have FSC certification already and are looking at other standards.
We have recently created a special offering based on alternative and sustainable packaging solutions, particularly for bags and food containers. If you want to know more, download our brochure here and contact us at contact@et2cint.com. We’ll be glad to support your sustainability objectives and their implementation.

Download the NaturePlast Biodegradable Bags brochure here

Innovative Packaging Trends Companies from Loop to Amazon implement sustainable packaging and sourcing solutions to answer eco-friendly demands from consumers. Two diverging trends currently dictate Innovative Packaging Trends, leaning toward heavy-duty and reusable, or more lightweight and compostable. They both serve different and necessary roles in reducing waste through life-cycle thinking.

Life-cycle analysis of a product’s environmental impact from “cradle to grave” and “cradle to cradle” plays an essential role in a circular economy (Geissdoerfer, 2017). Life-cycle thinking relies on the understanding that producers control the materials, design, and post-use expectations which inspire innovative packaging. Sustainable initiatives require concentrated efforts across a variety of platforms, from advancing compostable and recyclable materials to restructuring supply chains to circulating informational campaigns.

Though it seems counter-intuitive, in a circular economy, lightweight and reduced doesn’t mean less protection. The best packaging ensures that products arrive in the best possible condition to facilitate a sale. Given the choice between a dented package and an intact package, consumers seek undamaged goods.

Shifting to sustainable packaging methods, like all new packaging ventures, requires testing to ensure materials are capable of withstanding the rigors of transportation. After all, damaged goods deemed unsalable are more wasteful than less-sustainable packaging options. In most cases, more energy goes into producing the product than the packaging and loss of product is one of the worst energy impacts designs can generate. If there is no life-cycle of the product, there is no reason to have spent the energy packaging it.

Innovative Packaging Trends Reduce Means Reuse

One of the best ways to cut down on single-use packaging is to avoid it entirely. A growing number of companies dedicated to a zero-waste model are popping up around the globe. Zero-waste packaging minimizes single-use plastics in favor of reusable and recyclable materials like metal and glass to mold their containers.

Innovative Packaging Trends Circular Economy Delivery

Loop’s delivery service rollout in New York and Paris this year is highly anticipated. Reintroducing the milkman model of delivery, Loop supplies subscribers with high-quality, reusable containers of well-known products like Crest and Häagen Dazs in sturdy cloth packaging. Once a product is used up, consumers simply rinse and return their containers in the bag they came in. After pickup, containers are sanitized and sent back full of fresh products.

Innovative packaging challenges in the closed-loop model require durable containers which can withstand use after use. Investing resources to create such products necessitates that their life-cycle outlast single-use recyclables or other renewably-sourced products. Rewarding high consumer accountability when it comes to recycling products at the end of their life-cycle also fuels the sustainable circular economy. While this mindset has a higher associated cost, thinking green is capable of being a sustainable business model when whole-heartedly adopted.

Innovative Packaging Trends Zero-Waste Supermarkets

As customers grow increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing habits, demand has produced a wave of zero-waste supermarkets. Founded in 2013, one such chain has garnered much success across France. day by day shoppers bring reusable containers to the store and purchase loosely-stored bulk products like spices, condiments, and rice. For consumers who know exactly how much of an item they require, day by day’s take-what-you-need, use-what-you-take model has the potential to reduce household food waste and keep single-use packaging out of landfills.

Though shoppers may find themselves throwing out less food, stores must keep careful track to ensure that their bulk supplies leave the shelves before they go bad. Zero-waste blogger “Litterless” maintains a list of United States stores where customers can find products without individual packaging and demonstrates the role of the internet in the growing green mentality surrounding consumer purchases.

Innovative Packaging Trends Bring-Your-Own-Container

Busy commutes can mean grabbing a quick bite from the rows of prepackaged meals grocery stores and gas stations prepare each day. While consumers still purchase these single-use plastic-wrapped meals, reusable containers are trending in 2019 with eye-catching designs ranked on Spruce Eats, an award-winning food and lifestyle website. As Millennials exercise their spending power, it becomes increasingly apparent that environmentally-conscious companies are capturing the attention of consumers.

Metro Grocery is the first store of its kind in Canada, permitting customers to bring in their own clean reusable containers to be filled with once-pre-packaged fare. While plastic packaging is still available, the store hopes that customers will consider bringing in their containers to reduce single-use plastic waste. Creating a network of stores where bring-your-own-dishes is an option will provide greater motivation to carry reusable containers and cutlery, both fantastic habits in reducing plastic waste.

Innovative Packaging Trends : Reduce Means Recycle

The minimalist approach to sustainable packaging solutions asks companies to reduce as much material as possible without compromising the product. Whether that means cutting down on package sizes or ensuring the recyclability of a product, companies are reexamining every aspect of their supply chains. Creative sourcing solutions are an opportunity for eye-catching design which distinguishes products on the shelves.

Innovative Packaging Trends: Material Matters

While the idea of wrapping food in banana leaves is hardly a new concept, using banana leaves in lieu of single-use plastic wrap caused Rimping Supermarket in Thailand to go viral this March. Incorporating banana leaves, a simple, easily-accessible, and biodegradable product, into a niche once filled by plastic wrap generates a straightforward sustainable package design. While banana-leaf wrapping isn’t easily accessible in other regions of the world, it is a testament to the power of reevaluating the sourcing solutions at a company’s disposal.

Companies like Green Cell Foam are taking a more high-tech approach and developing a considerably more eco-friendly alternative to foam used in shipping. Their innovative foam is cornstarch-based, compostable, and water soluble. With die cut designs, Green Cell Foam calculates exact measurements to minimize resource consumption while ensuring product safety. And once the package arrives, recipients are encouraged to simply add water and watch their packaging dissolve down the drain.

Innovative Packaging Trends : Smarter Shapes

Consumers aren’t just concerned about what sustainably-sourced materials packaging uses, but also form and functionality. Sometimes all three come together to maximize eco-friendly and cost-cutting potentials. Tetra Pak’s Classic 65ml Aseptic Cube, an innovative packaging solution, optimizes storage while minimizing void space. Six tetrahedron-shaped pieces fit snuggly together to form easily stackable cubes.
Creative packaging can not only entice shoppers to unique products, but clever designs like the Classic Aseptic Cube can also increase the number of products that fit on palettes, reducing shipping costs and improving the ecological impact by shipping more products together.

Innovative Packaging Trends : Consumer Education

People want to do the right thing. They want to recycle what’s supposed to be recycled. But sometimes it isn’t that easy to know what goes where. Recycling carries a mess of rules and varies between cities. How2Recycle labeling is one way brands are trying to standardize the way people recycle in the United States. By providing clear labels which indicate what part of a product should be recycled and how, How2Recycle helps prevents incorrectly disposed trash from spoiling batches of potential recycling. Companies which adopt How2Recycle labels better ensure that their products are properly disposed at the end of their life.

Determining ideal sourcing solutions depends on the company, product, and the habits of their consumers, but steps can always be taken to diminish a company’s ecological impact. At ET2C International, we are dedicated to helping companies through strategic sourcing. Contact our team of dedicated sourcing agents for more information about how your company can rethink the sustainability of its supply chain.