Conventional packing is used to pack food for ages because of its benefits like convenience and single-use packing. With the effects of global warming, it is time for us to give due consideration to the conventional materials that are used in manufacturing these packing items because it has the potential to impact the environment on the earth.
Most of the conventional packing methods use plastic made materials which are harmful to the earth, so many countries are placing bans on these popular packing materials to achieve sustainability. There are many eco- friendly packing products available online aiding the same.
Also Read: Sustainable Material: Future Of Packaging
What is sustainable packing?
Sustainable packing is a type of packing where the materials of packing are sourced responsibly and proven to be safe throughout their life cycle. As the materials are made from renewable plant-based energy, they can be effectively recycled after a single use to provide a valuable resource to subsequent generations.
How do you benefit from using sustainable packing?
• The moment the business start using sustainable packing materials in their production, they will be lowering carbon footprint, i.e., reduce negative impacts on the environment
• Using the sustainable packing material will bring out that creative edge in you to make the packing more attractive, and you will also save more space in terms of transport, like storage and number of trips you make.
• All the sustainable packing materials are non-toxic and allergy free
• The time taken for packing using sustainable materials less when compared to others so, it reduces the use of resources as well.
• Using the environmental products to pack the material has the potential to increase sales too, considering your responsibility to protect the environment.
• As the usage of sustainable packing helps pack in a lightweight, it can reduce your shipping costs also.
Difference between sustainable packing and conventional packing
- Recycled Vs. biodegradable
Conventional packing materials are used for ages in the packing industry. While only a few of these packing materials can be recyclable, it can be effectively implemented when the thrown away packing materials are not recollected put in the machines for recycling. If these materials are left out, they can cause potential harm to mother earth. When you use sustainable packing material for packing products, they are easily compostable, biodegradable and few can effectively be recycled too. With these positive features, your company can play a crucial role in lowering the negative impact on the environment.
- Plastic Vs. plant-based resources
Conventional packing materials are made of plastic which is made from ethylene that is obtained from petroleum and natural gas which can turn harmful to health both to the earth and human beings as well as they tend to imperishable. Only a few of conventional packing materials can be recycled only through recycling plants. Sustainable packing materials, on the other hand, are made using plant-based resources so, they are easily compostable even at home and are free from chemicals.
- Harmful chemicals Vs. toxic free materials
Take away containers that are made using conventional packing materials are made out of the most excellent fossil fuels and are even difficult to recycle. They do contain harmful chemicals that get into food on packing in take away containers. When you use sustainable packing materials to pack take away containers, they don’t have any toxic chemicals and are easily compostable at home so, there is no need for you to collect them separately for recycling purpose.
- Propylene lining Vs. PLA
Conventional packing materials use polypropylene that is obtained during the refinement of gasoline. It is difficult to recycle them, and they release harmful chemicals during the process of recycling. Few products like paper cups turn impossible to recycle Propylene lining inside the paper cups as it can be barely separated. An extra effort of collecting them should be made to reduce carbon footprint. If sustainable packing materials are used for clear cup containers, they tend to be toxin free as they are made from PLA ( Polylactic acid) resources that are easily compostable and toxic free.
