For years, sustainability has been a big buzz word that was casually mentioned on websites and pushed out on social media, but now companies are increasingly moving from talking to doing. Finding the balance between profits and sustainability is critical, and business executives are finding the two goals are not mutually exclusive. One sustainability survey revealed that eighty-two percent of business leaders and senior executives who responded felt that sustainability is a long-term investment rather than a cost, and eighty-three percent described it as a business opportunity to be exploited.
Companies Respond but Say Packaging is a Challenge
Companies are responding by looking at how things they do are impacting the environment and how they can contribute through the use of sustainable products and packaging. Sustainability is driving R&D for thirty-seven percent of the respondents and new product development for thirty-three percent, but packaging was cited by more than two-thirds as being the most challenging sustainability practice to implement.
Consumers Demand Sustainability
The pressure to implement sustainable practices and deliver sustainable packaging is being driven by consumers. Consumers were also surveyed and responded with the following:
- Sixty-one percent expect brands they buy to have clear sustainability practices.
- Half of the consumers reported that in the past six months they’ve purchased a product specifically because it had reusable or biodegradable packaging.
- Forty-five percent have refused to purchase a product that had unsustainable packaging.
- Slightly more than half have paid more for a sustainably sourced product or service, while only twenty-two percent felt that companies should cover any additional costs associated with producing sustainable products.
Corrugated is the Ultimate in Sustainable Packaging
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has established international guidelines and defined sustainable packaging as meeting the following criteria:
- Is beneficial, safe & healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle
- Meets market criteria for performance and cost
- Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy
- Optimizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials
- Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices
- Is made from materials healthy throughout the life cycle
- Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy
- Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial closed-loop cycles
Sustainable packaging considers the packaging’s full life cycle, including the energy and processes used its manufacture end-of-life recovery.
Companies can look to corrugated for help with the sustainable packaging challenges they face. Corrugated packaging easily meets the established criteria when you work with a packaging supplier who recognizes the importance of implementing these guidelines from cradle to cradle.
More companies are beginning to realize that moving from less sustainable packaging options to corrugated packaging can positively impact their triple bottom line – people, planet, and profits.
Progress Container is Dedicated to Sustainability
Sustainability has been part of our vision and mission statement for almost 50 years.
We demonstrate this:
- Through our certification to the fiber sourcing standard set by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) and the ISO 14001 Environmental Certification
- By ensuring our sheet suppliers are certified under the SFI or other certifications adhering to the guidelines promoting sustainable forestry processes
- By minimizing waste and unneeded packaging in our designs
- Maximizing the use of recycled mediums and liners
Contact Progress Container to learn more.