By Amardy Baucke.
It has become a global trend to be more environmentally friendly and conscious. There’s a demand for all things sustainable, energy efficient, recyclable and biodegradable. Consumers want companies they support and buy from to care about using resources wisely, ensuring they’re not depleted for future generations.
According to GPA Global’s, ‘A guide to sustainable packaging trends for 2022’, the concept of a reusable pack is not a new one. In the in-store environment, businesses can offer consumers the opportunity to buy reusable glass, aluminum or plastic containers which can be filled with the product of their choice and topped up whenever needed. Plastic alternatives have surged in popularity. Sustainable packaging materials that can be used in place of plastic include those which are biodegradable, compostable and even dissolvable. Materials that are easier to recycle and have a longer lifespan than recyclable plastics. For rigid bottles, tubs and containers, tin and aluminum are two excellent alternatives to traditional plastics, as they are durable, food-safe and can be easily recycled many times over without loss of quality. Lightweight, shaped and flexible packaging, meanwhile, can be recreated with bioplastics, which are made using renewable biomass sources like vegetable oils and corn starch.
Forbes, in its article, ‘Meet the next generation of sustainability leaders’, suggests, sustainability isn’t just environmentalism. It’s about protecting Earth’s natural resources and how businesses support economic and social resources to maximise these efforts. Every day, consumers demand brands and product manufacturers do more to increase their sustainability efforts.
According to 2021 statistics collected by Statista, 88 per cent of people surveyed believe that sustainable practices should be a standard business practice. They also believe businesses have a responsibility to take care of the planet and its people.
Read more on sustainability in the September issue of Convenience World.
