The terms eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable, and green packaging are really common terms nowadays used in the delivery packaging industry. They sound good in theory, but the reality is that much of what is sold under the concept of sustainable packaging today, as referred to by the industry as greenwashing, is mere marketing because there are many materials used for sustainable delivery packaging in the marketplace. One needs to know how to differentiate one brand from the other to avoid the situation when one ends up paying high prices for packaging products that will actually end up in the landfills. Let’s take a closer look at what sustainable packaging really means.
3 Things You Must Verify Before Buying
1. Biodegradable vs. Compostable
Below we provide two words that sound the same but they meaning are totally different as compared to the environment
- Biodegradable: Technically, everything eventually breaks down—including plastic (it only takes 400 years). When a supplier says that a plastic mailer is “biodegradable” without certification, it simply means that it breaks down into harmful microplastics.
- Compostable: The waste goes back to the earth as organic matter. But there’s more to be considered: is it compostable at home or in an industrial composting plant? Industrial composting plants create the necessary conditions to decompose packaging. Home compostable packaging doesn’t need this kind of treatment.
2. The “Recyclable” Illusion
Even if a particular material recyclable does not mean one will be able to recycle it successfully. For instance, corrugated cardboard can be easily recycled, but if it is covered with heavy plastic coating to make it shinier, most recycling plants will refuse to accept it. Inquire with your production manager, “Does this outer coating or film possess any water-soluble property?” If you is interested in acquiring glossy looking cardboard material, one should seek out aqueous coating as a substitute for plastic lamination.
3. The Percentage of Post-Consumer Waste (PCW)
If any package says “contains recycled material,” be sure to check how much of that is made up of post-consumer waste materials. “Recycled Material” refers to factory waste (pre-consumer), and although this is acceptable, genuine sustainability requires that we use goods that are produced out of material collected from our recycling bins (post-consumer). Your target should be packaging that provides you with a minimum of 70% to 100% of post-consumer waste.
Your Checklist for the Next Order
Prior to wiring any deposit for production, ask your account manager the following three questions:
- “Do you have the FSC certification?” (Guarantees wood and paper come from well-managed forests).
- “Is the ink soy or water-based?” (Using standard oil-based inks releases volatile organic compounds and prevents recycling).
- “What standard does this follow?” (Look out for standards like EN 13432 or ASTM D6400).
Conclusion
It’s time to take a harder look at sustainable packaging instead of thinking that it forces you to give up some of your green plans. The essence of sustainability always lies in more than just having the right catchphrase for your website. It’s important to evaluate materials and have certified information about the supply chain. As you allow yourself to go deeper than just simple statements, one of the best things you can do is partner with a manufacturing company that takes its production seriously. At Yiruixing Packaging, we can help you design high-quality custom-made packaging with a number of different certificates.
FAQs
What if my brand really needs a shiny or glossy look? Does that completely ruin the recyclability?
It depends on the way that shine is achieved. If thin plastic film (lamination) is being applied to the cardboard by the manufacturer, then yes the cardboard would usually be non-recyclable because local facilities are not able to separate the plastic from the paper. However, you do not have to go for a boring box without sheen. You can opt for aqueous (water-based) coating or UV coating. This would give a shiny look to the box but would get dissolved during the ordinary procedure of paper recycling.
I see ‘FSC Certified’ everywhere. Is that actually a big deal, or just a logo?
The FSC certification is one of the few real certifications that matter. This stamp assures that the pulp used in making the box does not come from illegal logging or an endangered rainforest but comes from certified managed forests where trees are being replanted and wildlife protected.
Is eco-friendly packaging always going to cost me way more?
This might not always be the case. Certain types of recyclable materials can be pricey, but most eco-friendly alternatives can be made for much cheaper. The key to saving money is in the way the boxes are created. Not only should you try to make them as small as possible to save materials, but it also makes sense to make bulk purchases for further savings.
If I switch to recycled mailers or boxes, will they be too weak to protect my products?
A fear many consumers have is that recycled paper fibres will not be able to perform as well as virgin fibres but whilst paper fibres do become marginally shorter and weaker with each recycling there are ways for manufacturers to overcome this issue. Most high-quality recycled boxes are made with a very effective corrugated inner layer that makes recycled boxes very durable. As long as you are not shipping very heavy industrial machinery you can be sure that properly engineered recycled packaging material will safely carry your items.
