5 June is World Environment Day. This day aims to highlight how important it is to protect and care for our ecosystem, as it affects the well-being of all living things and economic development worldwide. Gradually reducing plastic packaging and materials that can negatively impact the environment is an essential element.
Therefore, one of the ways to raise awareness and induce the creation of good practices related to corporate social responsibility in companies is throughgreen packaging.
Do you want to know what the future holds for packaging and how it can influence a globalised world? Read more.
Materials in the use of environmentally friendly packaging
For several years now, awareness of sustainability, reuse and environmental awareness has been gaining momentum. This is laying the groundwork for future designs in the world of packaging, which will become more sustainable and eco-responsible. Some of the new products being designed include:
Carton packs and bottles
Although at first glance it may seem pointless to pour a liquid or water into a cardboard box because it would fall apart, it should be known that materials have been created from recycled paper/cardboard that are capable of withstanding any type of liquid. For example, detergents or cleaners in bottle form have been developed from the pressing of recycled cellulose fibres, which in many cases can become compostable.
Minimally processed raw materials
In this case we can find, for example, the use of banana leaves to make packs or packaging, as well as supports from this simple element. Banana leaves, straw or potato skins are materials that are gradually entering the market, and although they may take longer to break through, it seems that one way or another they will be with us in the future. In this case we can find, for example, the use of banana leaves to make packs or packaging, as well as supports from this simple element.
Compostable packaging
- Compostable packaging by concept is biodegradable packaging made from compost, i.e. it can degrade together with organic waste.
- Biodegradable packaging: packaging that degrades when in contact with the environment, although it does not necessarily have to be compostable.
- Degradable packaging: is composed of inorganic materials that degrades through interaction with the elements.
- Recyclable packaging: when discarded, it can be reprocessed into a new use by treating the waste.
Within the range of compostable packaging, we can find bamboo, palm leaves, wood, corn husks, etc. In addition, these new materials can sometimes include plant seeds so that new plants can germinate in their degradation. These are containers where the average degradation time is between 3 and 6 weeks.
Aluminium containers and packs
Aluminium is a material that is completely present in our lives, mainly through soft drink cans or coffee capsules. Aluminium is a material with an infinite life, therefore, we can recycle it constantly, which offers us many qualities for its use and innovation. With a good awareness of recycling, they are a great asset.
Eco-friendly packagingin a globalised world
Due to the internet and Information and Communication Technologies, we live in a fully connected world.. Users have more information than ever before, and this allows them to contrast and have tools at their disposal to give their opinion on what they consume. If you consult a brand with which you do not feel an affinity in the values it conveys, you will immediately make a new search. This means that commitment to the environment plays an important role in attracting potential customers. Globalisation means going green.
The concept of environmentally friendly packaging has become increasingly important for both companies and consumers. Understanding sustainability implies a wide range of approaches, as it is not only linked to the environment, but also to a socio-economic and cultural dimension. In this sense, it is important to align the discourse of your products with the general discourse in a society that is moving towards waste reduction and transparency. Therefore, eco-friendly packaging offers a double vision: details that the consumer is looking for, and a discourse with added value.
Another aspect to take into account is the possibility of creating collaborations or alliances with other SMEs or start-ups that have similar values and take the environment into account in their work processes. In this way they can beintegrated into your process chain.. It is very positive to know whether companies that supply you with raw materials or goods of any kind are environmentally responsible. It serves to create an ecosystem that fosters corporate social responsibility, and at the same time serves as an example for your users to see your involvement.
Desde Grupo Vifra queremos fomentar la economía circular y el uso de prácticas que cuiden el medioambiente, por ello disponemos de una amplia gama de materiales que, junto a un diseño de envases inteligentes, dan lugar a soluciones verdes competitivas.