Sustainable packaging is here to stay
There is a new generation deeply aware of healthy consumption and environmentalimpact. Therefore, they choose brands that meet those values and support thosewho communicate them. And as we already know, the packaging is the firstpresentation and gives the first impression of a product to a potential customer.
In fact, the consultancy (company) Research and Markets predicts that the demandfor sustainable packaging will grow by approximately 5.1% per year by 2025.
Imagine a cosmetic firm investing thousands of dollars in conveying its formulationwith natural and environmentally friendly ingredients. What type of packaging will afuture client expect to find? A good, sustainable packaging design consistent with theimage, values, and essence of your brand.
RECYCLABLE, REUSABLE, BIODEGRADABLE… THEY ARE NOT SYNONYMSOF SUSTAINABLE
In general, the packaging of a product is considered sustainable when the designand manufacturing process uses the ¨principles of eco-design.¨ That is not onlyconsidering the functionality and packaging of the product. You must also considerthe materials it will be made with, how it will be transported, and how it will bedisposed of once its useful life has ended. A long process packed with a bigenvironmental impact that ecodesign tries to minimize.
1st SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: LESS IS MORE Sustainable packaging should reduce the amount of material used as much aspossible. If the packaging is ´recyclable´ that does not always mean that it issustainable. For example, using larger quantities of material than would benecessary for the design or having one of its materials be biodegradable while all theothers are not, does not change the environmental impact for the better. To facilitate the waste management of the product, it will also be important to reducethe weight of the packaging and the use of different materials to facilitate itssubsequent management as waste.
2nd SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: RETHINK MATERIALS Recycled cardboard, materials from sustainably managed forests, vegetable inks forpackaging printing, bioplastics or vegetable plastics, use of natural or biodegradableglues for sticking labels.Over the years, at CH Letterpress we have been incorporating different materials toreduce the environmental impact of our packaging. 3rd SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: REUSE Could this packaging be given more uses? How could its useful life be extended?Could some parts be used to make a new one? Could it be repaired for reuse?These are some of the questions that our design department thinks about whendesigning sustainable packaging. The so-called "circular economy" eliminates the current linear system of "use andthrow away", for another respect with the environment based on reuse, repair, andrecycle, to extend the useful life of products and give them a second life. Apr 21 2022|Emilia Piedra Donoso.
1st SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: LESS IS MORE Sustainable packaging should reduce the amount of material used as much aspossible. If the packaging is ´recyclable´ that does not always mean that it issustainable. For example, using larger quantities of material than would benecessary for the design or having one of its materials be biodegradable while all theothers are not, does not change the environmental impact for the better. To facilitate the waste management of the product, it will also be important to reducethe weight of the packaging and the use of different materials to facilitate itssubsequent management as waste.
2nd SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: RETHINK MATERIALS Recycled cardboard, materials from sustainably managed forests, vegetable inks forpackaging printing, bioplastics or vegetable plastics, use of natural or biodegradableglues for sticking labels.Over the years, at CH Letterpress we have been incorporating different materials toreduce the environmental impact of our packaging. 3rd SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RULE: REUSE Could this packaging be given more uses? How could its useful life be extended?Could some parts be used to make a new one? Could it be repaired for reuse?These are some of the questions that our design department thinks about whendesigning sustainable packaging. The so-called "circular economy" eliminates the current linear system of "use andthrow away", for another respect with the environment based on reuse, repair, andrecycle, to extend the useful life of products and give them a second life. Apr 21 2022|Emilia Piedra Donoso.