Green Packaging Ideas to Help the Environment

Higher temperatures and rising sea levels are warning signs that it’s time to go green. Reducing, reusing, and recycling are three simple ways to do our part, and this mantra is now influencing contemporary design – especially regarding packaging. The good news is that brands have stepped up to the plate and developed some tremendous eco-friendly packaging ideas to help reduce the amount of single-use waste. Plus, using green packaging helps maintain a strong brand image; and loyalty with consumers who are now more conscious of their environmental impact. So, let’s ensure we do our part to save our planet and use eco-friendly packaging to reduce our environmental impact!

What Consumers Think About Eco-Friendly Packaging

Using eco-friendly packaging is a no-brainer – not only does it help reduce waste and pollution, but it is biodegradable. It will decompose more quickly and naturally than traditional materials. More and more shoppers are starting to demand this level of sustainability from the brands they love, and research shows they’re also willing to pay more for it! Being a green company allows you to build deeper connections with your consumers and a more vital, positive message for your brand.

When it comes to eco-friendly packaging designs, there can be some challenges. For example, many assume that products labeled as compostable; biodegradable plastic can broken down in their home compost heaps, but that’s not true. These plastics must be broken down in an industrial composting facility, which is only available to some. So what’s the alternative? Most of the time, they’re thrown in the trash and sent to the landfill. To make a real difference, it’s essential to think about the whole lifecycle of products – from production to disposal.

Watch Out for Popular Phrases

However, some companies are taking advantage of our increased focus on sustainability by making misleading statements and using images that seem to suggest their products are more eco-friendly than they actually are. This sort of ‘greenwashing’ can draw in customers who only want to make environmentally conscious purchases, but it’s often false advertising. We’ve even seen cases where the FTC has fined companies for this kind of deception. For example, Nature’s Own Green Label paper plates claimed to be recyclable but lacked evidence.

Luckily, designers, scientists, and researchers are developing sustainable packaging solutions that reduce our environmental footprint. From biodegradable options to reusable containers, more and more possibilities are on the horizon. With their help, we can ensure our sustainability efforts are honest and effective.

Reuse and Repurpose

Reusing packaging is one of the most cost-effective methods for making things more eco-friendly. For example, instead of throwing away cardboard boxes, you can use them to pack or store items around the home. Not only will you cut down on potentially harmful waste, but you’ll also save a bit of money. So, next time you get a delivery, try to find a new use for the packaging. It’s a simple action with substantial environmental benefits!

History

During the Great Depression, families struggled to get by with very little. This meant that fabric was expensive and out of reach for many households. So, the resourceful women of the time had a bright idea – to make dresses out of flour and feed sacks. To everyone’s surprise, these repurposed sacks created beautiful dresses that were all the rage. Companies saw how popular these ‘sack dresses’ were becoming and started getting creative, printing pretty patterns on their bags to try and make theirs the most sought-after. It’s a lesson for today’s companies – if your product or packaging unexpectedly becomes popular, embrace it, and you might get a great return on investment.

Make Packaging as Simple as Possible

Minimalism has been a growing trend since its roots in the ’60s. We see this across industries, from art to cosmetics. People are more conscious of sustainability, reflected in how cosmetics are made. Many consumers are ditching products with a long list of ingredients and artificial ingredients for ones with fewer natural ingredients in plastic-free packaging.

Make Your Packaging Eco-Friendly

If you care about the environment, you’ll pay attention to which brands offer eco-friendly, biodegradable, and compostable packaging. We’re seeing more and more progress regarding this type of packaging becoming the norm. Not only is it a significant step in the right direction in terms of sustainability, but it’s a better choice for shoppers, too, as they can feel confident that they’re making an ethical decision when choosing one of these brands. Some really inspiring and innovative companies are showing what can done with biodegradable and compostable packaging, so it’s worth giving them recognition.

Make the Future Greener

Check out the awesome eco-friendly designs at RushCustomBoxes! If you’re trying to spread the word about your sustainable product, having a great design that tells the right story is critical. Browse and see if they are a good fit for your project.