Making Product Packaging More Sustainable

Let’s talk about product packaging.?

For some, packaging is something we struggle to open when we don’t have scissors and the plastic clamshell is protecting the product inside too well. For others, packaging represents an opportunity to do better.

More CPG (consumer packaged foods) brands are turning their attention to sustainable packaging, so here’s what you need to know.

What “counts” as sustainable packaging??

If you want a textbook definition, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) lists eight specific criteria packaging must meet in order to be properly defined as sustainable. While you can read about each one on the website I linked to, I want to focus my attention on some factors that consumers might not know about.?

Manufacturing packaging through clean production processes

If packaging is made with recycled materials but also uses a significant amount of resources to produce, is it still “sustainable”? Probably not.?

At a surface level, most of us think about sustainable packaging as just the finished plastic or paper wrapping around the products we’re buying. In reality, for packaging to be truly sustainable means not only looking at the materials used, but also the process and resources it took to create it. Clean production processes that conserve water, energy, and raw materials are an important element of sustainable packaging that goes on “behind the scenes.”?

Using renewable energy

Sustainable packaging must be sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy, rather than fossil fuels. While the SPC does admit that integrating renewable energy across all of these stages will take a significant amount of time and effort, this transition is a critical step and has a huge impact on the local community.?

Sustainability in performance and cost

At the end of the day, the packaging is itself a product, so it needs to be able to fulfill that function. Having a sustainable business means making enough profit to support operations, which the SPC has also taken into account. Sustainable packaging seeks to minimize not only the cost to the environment and society but also encourages more efficient packaging design cycles.

Sustainable packaging must meet market criteria in two categories: performance and cost. Even if the packaging is completely sustainable, it doesn’t make much sense to use it if it doesn't protect the product inside. This is where I see a lot of packaging innovations happening over the past few years, especially with the types of materials used.?

Challenges and opportunities

Consumer demand for eco-friendly products is certainly there, but it’s not always that easy to implement sustainable packaging. For many businesses, it’s like switching from driving an automatic car to driving a stick.?

One major hurdle is cost. For many businesses, sustainable packaging is more expensive than traditional packaging for a number of reasons. With sustainable packaging, there are more steps involved, such as the level of scrutiny that goes into where the materials came from. Manufacturing processes are also improving but they’re not quite there yet in terms of efficiency. Lower economies of scale are, of course, a major challenge as well. While these are issues today, some of them I do see resolving as the industry grows—particularly as more consumer brands opt to use sustainable packaging.?

Another challenge sustainable packaging producers face is something they have less control over: local waste management services. Packaging must be sustainable through its entire lifecycle, not just during the manufacturing stage. Part of the value of sustainable packaging comes from its ability to be recycled completely (otherwise known as “closed-loop recycling”). It’s important that innovation isn’t just focusing on producing better packaging, but also looking at waste management policies to ensure there’s enough infrastructure to support recycling efforts. The opportunities here are straightforward: promoting recycling diverts more waste away from landfills and ensures that fewer materials are used for the next “generation” of sustainable packaging.?

Which plants-based companies are leading the way?

You may have heard about carbon offsetting goals, but what about plastic offsetting? Back in October 2020, No Evil Foods made headlines for being the first plant-based meat company to operate “plastic negative.” When it comes to packaging, they use completely compostable materials, a great value-add for consumers who tend their own gardens at home! Barbecue is another plant-based brand using sustainable packaging with insulated eco-liners and boxes that can be fully recycled.?

For some consumer products, using recyclable paper packaging is an easier switch. However, other items require special packaging to maintain a high degree of effectiveness and safety. Medical products are an example—most use plastic bottles that I’m sure we’re all familiar with. One brand in this space is SmartyPants vitamins .?

Understanding that plastic waste is having devastating impacts on the environment and marine life, the company has taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic it uses. Its 100% recyclable bottles are made using 80-100% post-consumer resin, ensuring that previous plastic products find a “new life.”?

Small steps, big impact

What are some of the steps we’re taking at Vejii ? One of our missions is to plan out delivery logistics in a way that limits our carbon footprint. For e-commerce brands, transportation and delivery are areas where companies can take small steps to make a big impact. For example, we use recyclable or reusable materials to ship orders. Dry ice and non-toxic gel packs are also carefully selected to ensure they are a sustainable option to protect frozen foods. We’re also proud to continue partnering with plant-based vendors that offer more environmentally-friendly packaging.?