Sustainable packaging is the creation and use of packaging, which leads to sustainability. This includes the use of environmentally-friendly materials. The need for sustainable packaging arose from the awareness of the destruction packaging caused to the environment; for instance, littering and pollution. Many items have plastic packaging, and some are 100% plastic, which pose environmental harm, which the UAE has been trying to fight.

Plastic is durable and does not disintegrate, and dumping it in the sea and land creates more problems. Plastics are not only harmful to the environment, but also humans. Chemicals like BPA and phthalates used to prevent decomposition change how our hormonal systems work, which is harmful.

What Qualifies for Sustainable Packaging?

According to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, there are certain criterias that define sustainable packaging. It should be healthy and safe for people throughout its life-cycle. The price and performance ought to be competitive. Manufacturers should use clean manufacturing practices. Recyclable and renewable materials should be prioritized. Renewable energy should be used for production, shipping, sourcing, and recycling.

Benefits of Sustainable Packaging

You’ve probably heard about going green. Most industries have been transitioning to sustainable packaging because of the many benefits associated with this change. Below are the advantages of sustainable packaging for retail industries.

Reduces Transport Costs

Many retail companies are shifting to sustainable packaging in Dubai because it helps to reduce the use of compact and heavy materials. Transport costs can be a big part of a company’s overall spending. This cost is often passed to consumers, which increases the price of goods. On top of that, reducing transport costs reduces the number of materials used to pack the products.

Reduces Carbon Footprint

When your retail company implements sustainable packaging, you start to reduce your carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and its compounds emitted after the consumption of fossil fuels by an individual or groups.

Plastic, which is mostly used in packaging, is cheap and convenient; however, it is one of the most dangerous pollutants on our planet. The use of single-use and disposable plastic products creates a large carbon footprint. Almost every plastic product is manufactured from fossil fuel, which means refining these products uses a lot of energy and continues to increase global emissions.

The demand for single-use plastics is rising because they are cheap and versatile. Plastic packaging continues to harm the environment as waste products and producers’ emissions. Most consumers are environmentally-conscious, which is directly connected to the products they buy. When you switch to sustainable packaging, you can use this in your marketing strategies.

More Storage Space

Switching to sustainable packaging allows you to explore different packaging ideas. You brainstorm for creative ways to utilize the resources you have for packaging. This means you will end up with more space that was occupied by conspicuous and large packages.

More spaces include transport space, which allows you to shop more products at a go; this reduces your freight costs. Also, with a sustainable finished goods footprint, you require less space to store the products; this allows you to utilize this space or expand production. Smaller packaging footprint allows you to be creative on how the products are displayed in retail outlets.

Effective Use of Resources

Switching to sustainable packaging plays a significant role in the amount of energy used to package products or the packaging process. This reduces electricity, water usage, solid waste, and emissions.

Although flexible plastic packaging is beneficial, it has received negativity by those who do not fully understand the benefits. You can reuse flexible plastic packaging several times; for instance, you can use zip locks to store food. This plastic is lightweight, which makes it easy to transport, and it is environmentally-friendly.

Reduces Toxins and Allergies

Sustainable packaging eliminates the use of non-biodegradable materials, which have a lot of toxins that cause allergies. Although biodegradable packaging options are not popular, they are available and gaining fame among retail companies.

Certain chemicals used in plastics cause allergies, asthma, and eczema. When somebody has allergic reactions to plastic, it’s because of the chemical or chemicals responsible for the reactions. There are 2 main harmful chemicals, bisphenol (BPA) and phthalates.

These chemicals are found in simple plastic packaging like plastic water bottles, and in personal items like lotions, eye-shadow, nail polish, hair spray, shampoo, perfumes, and deodorants. Phthalates is also found in air fresheners, paint, and plastic bags. Using biodegradable packaging reduces toxins and allergies, which attracts more customers.

Promotes Brand Image

A good image is beneficial to a retail company, and sustainable packaging boosts this factor. Sustainable packaging helps to create customer recognition because of their unique and creative packaging. This means customers will recognize your products because they stand out. Consumers pick products from brands they recognize over unfamiliar products.

Sustainable packaging also gives your brand a competitive edge in the market. The company’s brand differentiates your products in the market, and as soon as customers recognize your brand, it creates a competitive edge for your company. The more your products receive recognition, the more your brand grows.

Increases Sales

Consumers consider several factors before purchasing an item; one of them is sustainable packaging. Using biodegradable, re-usable, and recyclable packaging attracts more customers, which increases sales. This helps to expand your market share and acts as a marketing strategy. More people are willing to pay for items that reduce carbon footprint and lean towards environmental conservation.

Versatility

Did you know that sustainable packaging is versatile and flexible and can be repurposed and reused in packaging industries? You can pack electronics and even meat. You can use these materials for various purposes compared to plastic packaging. Conventional packaging is harmful to the environment and limits creativity in packaging. The good thing is sustainable packaging can be used with food products because they don’t pose any dangers.

Plastic packaging does not only harm our environment, but it also harms us. Sustainable packaging is friendly to our planet, and it is beneficial to the retail industry. Shifting to sustainable packaging has both environmental and financial advantages.