4 Types of Sustainable Packaging for Retail Businesses

In the last decades, consumer pressure has steadily increased for more sustainable and environmentally friendly services and products. As a consequence, the demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions has skyrocketed. Sustainable packaging claims to have less of a negative impact on our planet and makes people feel good about the products they purchase.

This is an important point for retail businesses that want to attract and retain customers. In a world where more and more expect an effort towards sustainability, reducing your carbon footprint and choosing eco-friendly packaging free of toxins or allergens can give you an edge. Even more, they can become part of your brand and attract customers by suggesting you put effort in every aspect of your business.

Of course, sustainability may take many forms, from using renewable energy to green procurement and carbon footprint offsets. For retail businesses, switching to sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials is not only the simplest way to have an environmental impact, but also the most visible one. Since visibility counts and customers are more impressed by what they see, consider how you could incorporate this solution into your business model. Equally important is finding a reliable packaging supplier that can also help with customization. Visit the website for more information.

So what options are there? Here are four types of sustainable packaging for retail businesses.

1. Paper Packaging

The gold standard (or in this case, the green standard) for sustainable packaging is paper. Paper is the most recycled packaging material in the world. Affordable and easy to repeatedly reuse, it is also conveniently printable. This means that you can use paper packaging to promote your brand and come up with your own customized packaging solutions to make it memorable and (why not?) surprise your customers.

Compared to other materials, such as plastic, one paper box can reduce carbon dioxide and oil emissions by 60%. Plus, as an organic material, paper is 100% biodegradable and can be composted, making it an exceptionally environmentally friendly packaging option.

2. Mushroom Packaging

Mushroom packaging is still in its early days. The initiative started replacing polystyrene packaging that fills our bins and sticks around for too long. Mushroom packaging is 100% biodegradable and can be grown in custom moldable shapes in seven days. By growing the mushroom’s root system into a mold and baking it to make it inert, a protective cushioning can be created that is completely compostable at the end of its cycle.

As an ocean-safe solution that is entirely natural, mushroom packaging has the potential to become very appealing to environmentally minded customers and even help you define your brand by its innovative and unique quality.

3. Corrugated Packaging

While much of the corrugated packaging is made from recycled paper, it can also be produced from sustainably forested trees, which may require, however, massive amounts of water and energy. Luckily, corrugated boxes can be made from up to 100% recycled material, which greatly reduces their impact on the environment. They can be reused as long as they retain their form, which extends their life cycle.

4. Compostable Packaging Mailers

Compostable mailers can vary in material. Some can be made with renewable plant material, and others with recycled paper products that can be composted. They can be 100% curbside recyclable and customized to display your brand’s logo, colors and custom messaging. For smaller products, a compostable mailer could be an excellent alternative to a large and cumbersome box.

Why Should You Use Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainability is one of the hot topics in retail. However, trying to make every aspect of your company a zero-waste, sustainability-focused endeavor could be overwhelming. For many brands, it may be unrealistic, so instead, you can go smaller while still having an impact with custom eco-packaging.

Ultimately, unboxing has evolved from the joy of opening a package to a powerful marketing tool. For you, as a retail businesses, the sent package represents the first connection and touchpoint with your customers. The box is your messenger and your voice: It not only protects your product, but also increases your brand value. Branded packaging is the ideal opportunity to safely deliver your products and create an unforgettable unboxing experience for your clients.

If you are thinking to open a new business or are in the process of rebranding and remodeling your existing business, contact us to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting. Click HERE to price your project design.