The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently announced a "Code Red" for humanity, which suggests that human activities influence climate change in unprecedented and irreversible ways. In such a circumstance, it's necessary for every human to implement environmental friendly activities to protect the Earth. One of the easiest ways for commercial sectors to do this is through custom eco friendly packaging.

What is Eco Friendly Packaging?

Eco-friendly packaging is the development and use of bio-degradable and recyclable materials instead of materials that harm the environment, such as plastics and Styrofoam. Plastic is the most widely used material in packaging industry. The reason for the popular demand is the cheap price and the ease of use. We are all aware of the harmful effects plastic has been proving to us through out so many years. The aim is to reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions and opt for more sustainable options.

According to a survey, 864 million parcels were shipped in Australia in the year 2018, and the numbers have no doubt increased since the onset of the pandemic. The global pandemic has seen a rise in the use of online services, most importantly online shopping. Imagine the huge impact that can be created simply if every company shifted to custom eco friendly packaging.

Benefits of Such Eco Friendly Packages

#1. Minimal Carbon Footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment due to human activities is known as carbon footprint. Each stage of packaging from raw material extraction, processing, transportation, and usage, releases a certain amount of carbon. Sustainable packaging ensures a reduction in this amount through decreased energy consumption. 

#2. A Safer and Healthier Alternative: Most packaging materials are made from synthetic substances which are heavy with chemicals and toxins. This impacts the well-being of producers and users alike. Utilising healthier alternatives that are free of toxins and allergens will help consumers feel cared for and can increase brand loyalty. Since more and more people are attempting to make custom eco friendly packaging choices, such an initiative can also increase sales. 

#3. Cost-Effective: Not only does sustainable packaging favour the environment, but it also cuts back on production costs. These materials are also much lighter, which reduces the cost of shipping. This is the best alternative to plastic since the price is in fact lesser. The awareness will promote people to buy more product and hence the cost of the packaging will be profitable one. 

#4. Reduced Use of Resources: Implementing custom eco friendly packaging methods reduce the usage of natural resources that go into the making of plastics such as coal, natural gas, salt and crude oil. 

Ways to implement

The switch to green packaging can be a challenging but necessary step. With some simple switches, a substantial difference can be made.

Here are A Few Ways to Convert to Sustainable Packaging:

• Using biodegradable materials such as foam peanuts, corn-starch packaging, corrugated bubble wraps, paper and cardboard boxes.

• Cardboard a popular packaging material can be reused by first shredding and smashing it into a paste before washing the mixture and letting it dry in sheets. The sheets can then be made into corrugated strips.

• Use small packages instead of unnecessarily large ones can help preserve materials.

• Natural fabrics like hemp, flax and recycled cotton, biodegrade within 100 days.

• Make use of eco friendly packaging a type of custom eco friendly packaging which contains seeds that consumers can plant after usage.

• Utilising air pillows to provide cushioning is a sustainable way of filling boxes since they mostly contain air, which reduces plastic usage.

• Avocado waste provides excellent support to the product and is used to create biodegradable plastic. 

Nevertheless, there are a million activities we perform in a day that are detrimental to the environment. Undertaking sustainable practices is a challenge, but each milestone can go a long way, and custom eco friendly packaging is just one such milestone. It’s important to remember that this planet is not just ours to live in, but also ours to protect!