Although you might not realize it, packaging has a significant effect on the environment. Given that it can make up as much as 60% of the garbage produced in some nations, packaging is one of the most crucial and sometimes disregarded factors in sustainability. Sustainable packaging practices are a common strategy for many companies to lessen their environmental impact and save our world’s resources for future generations.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what environmentally friendly packaging is, why you should use it whenever you can, and how your company could benefit from reducing its reliance on plastic, styrofoam, or even wooden packaging products!
Types of Environmentally Friendly Packaging
- Boxes made of corrugated cardboard: Corrugated sustainable cardboard packaging is one of the most well-known and often utilized sustainable packaging materials. The recycled paperboard used to make this kind of packaging has a wavy design added to it to strengthen the structure. As it is durable and lightweight, corrugated cardboard is also easy to reuse or recycle. The eco-crate is a revolutionary product that takes regular cardboard packaging to the next level, demonstrating greater strength and durability than traditional wooden crates while providing attractive cost savings.
- Bioplastics: Instead of petrochemicals, bioplastics are created from renewable resources like cornstarch or vegetable oils. They can frequently be composted at home or in public locations because they are biodegradable. Despite some environmental advantages, bioplastics should not be relied upon as the only source of sustainable packaging because they still emit greenhouse gases when burned.
Here are some of the key environmental benefits of choosing sustainable packaging:
Minimizes Carbon Footprint
One of the most significant advantages of utilizing sustainable packaging is that it can lower the carbon footprint of your business. Traditional packing materials like plastic and styrofoam need a lot of energy to manufacture and transport, which results in high emissions. Because they are manufactured from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted, ecologically friendly packaging solutions like cardboard or bioplastics are far less damaging to the environment.
Easy Disposal
Packaging that is made sustainably also has the advantage of being easy to dispose of. Disposal choices vary depending on the material, but with the right infrastructure and facilities, most types can be recycled or composted.
Biodegradable
Most environmentally friendly packaging materials are biodegradable, which means they will disintegrate over time without leaving behind hazardous chemicals or residue. Using less petroleum-based plastics can lower the likelihood that your company’s waste stream will harm the environment. This will be the case, even if some of your products may require more than one type of sustainable packing material to offer optimum protection and durability.
Waste Reduction from Product Packaging
Your business can limit the amount of waste it generates from product packaging by utilizing environmentally friendly packaging options. In addition to being more eco-friendly, managing this material will take less time and money, resulting in financial savings.
Whether you’re looking for more socially-responsible ways to operate your business or pledging a personal commitment to sustainability, it’s always a good idea to incorporate environmentally friendly packaging. As the country’s sole provider of eco-crates and America’s top-rated mover, you can trust Budd Van Lines for all your personal moving needs!