Much of our household waste comes from retail packaging that is disposed of in landfills and, sometimes, recycled. However, less than 14% of the 86 million tons of plastic packaging produced globally each year is recycled.
The COVID pandemic increased the amount of packaging waste as more people shopped online for both consumer products and for food and beverage delivery. This also means that more exterior packaging is required to transport purchases, adding to the waste problem.
As the amount of packaging waste becomes increasingly noticeable, society is more carefully considering options that meet consumer demand for purchasing products, for at-home delivery, and for being considerate of the environment.
Fortunately, reducing waste does not have to mean giving up on the things we want. With shifts in retail packaging, we can maintain our lifestyle while also being a little friendlier to our planet.
We’ve assembled a retail packaging FAQ that can help us all be more aware of the options we have to reduce our own waste footprint.
Environmentally Friendly Retail Packaging FAQ
Trends in retail packaging are moving towards eco-friendly options that help to reduce waste and are devoid of toxins or harmful chemicals.
What does eco-friendly retail packaging mean?
Eco-friendly retail packaging focuses on the materials used and that happens to the packaging after it is used. Eco-friendly retail packaging includes one or more of the following properties: sustainability, renewability, biodegradability, compostability, recyclability, and reusability.
By choosing retail packaging that includes eco-friendly properties, packaging waste is reduced and the environment is less impacted than when using non-eco-friendly packaging materials such as many plastics and foams that are manufactured using toxic chemicals.
Which retail packaging has eco-friendly properties?
Retail packaging made from bagasse, cornstarch, and paper are all sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable. In some cases, these types of retail packaging are also reusable.
Many forms of plastic retail packaging are recyclable, including bottles and retail shopping bags.
Are reusable shopping totes eco-friendly?
Yes! Reusable shopping totes are one of the most eco-friendly options due to their durability, longevity, and attractiveness that encourages shoppers to use them over and over. The durability of reusable shopping tote bags is the equivalent of 22,000 plastic shopping bags!
For retailers that offer reusable shopping totes, they are able to reduce the number of plastic retail shopping bags that they need to buy, saving on operating costs.
Are Polyethylene Laminated Shopping Totes Eco-Friendly?
Recycled Polyethylene (rPET) Laminated Reusable Shopping Totes are arguably the most environmentally friendly option. Made from recycled water bottles rPet bags are durable, weather-resistant, and waterproof.
rPET shopping totes are designed to be attractive and represent the retailer’s brand through unlimited design and offer full-spectrum color options.
Retail Packaging FAQ Materials Used
What types of materials are used for retail packaging?
Retail packaging materials have changed over the years to accommodate both consumer and business desires for cost-effective packaging that meets form, function, and environmental friendliness. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Bagasse
Bagasse bags are a preferred choice as an alternative to plastic and even paper bags in some cases. Valued for its renewability and for being toxin-free, bagasse can be formed into bags of any size and provides durability and reusability that both retailers and consumers value. Read our article on the 17 benefits of bagasse bags.
Bagasse is also used for food trays and containers. The benefits of bagasse trays for foodservice are that they are very durable, leftovers can be refrigerated or re-heated (at low temperatures,) and the material prevents fluid seepage.
Bagasse contributes to favorable brand recognition due to its noticeable quality and eco-friendliness that consumers prefer.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch trays are another popular option for foodservice retailers and, like bagasse, are made from a renewable, biodegradable resource.
The benefits of cornstarch packaging is that it is manufactured using the polylactic acid (PLA) found in cornstarch. This makes cornstarch packaging the most similar to plastic by look and feel but with all the benefits of toxin-free biodegradability and compostability.
Paper
And, of course, there is paper used in packaging. Most commonly used as bags for retailers who prefer to avoid plastic bags, paper bags hold their shape and are more attractive. Consumers like the form and function of paper but also its potential reusability and recyclability.
Paper bags are very cost effective and provide brands with a more elegant aesthetic when given to their customers, especially when customized branding is added.
Retail Packaging FAQ for Business Branding
What should brands think about when choosing their retail packaging?
For brands, there are several factors they need to consider when choosing which retail packaging they want to use.
Retail Packaging Form
For some retailers, the shape and size of the packaging is important. For retailers that ship products, molded fiber offers many benefits including the ability for custom shapes for transporting fragile items such as bottles or even electronics, and for grocers and deli counters, clamshell containers provide ease of use and practicality.
The type of bag used is also a consideration. Made from paper or bagasse, these bags can be customized in size and design and include handles for easier consumer carrying.
Retail Packaging Function
Closely tied to form, function is especially important for foodservice providers that offer takeout and delivery orders. Functionally, their retail packaging must include properties that enable transport of both hot and cold foods as well as prevent leakage.
Popular choices include biodegradable trays for foodservice made from powerhouse renewable materials such as bagasse and cornstarch.
Shopping bags are another consideration for foodservice retailers who prefer to reduce plastic in favor of paper. Paper shopping bags are the perfect renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable choice for foodservice retailers for takeaway orders.
Retail Packaging Customization
Brands have an opportunity to remain at the forefront of their customers by adding their brand name and logo to their retail packaging. Custom colors, logo, slogan and eco-friendly messaging all contribute to a brand’s favorable recall by consumers who have made a purchase and by others simply seeing the branded bag.
Retail Packaging Cost
Brands remain cost-conscious when choosing their retail packaging. For some retailers, offering reusable shopping totes is a way to not only reduce waste, but to also reduce the number of bags they need to provide. Reusable bags encourage repeat usage by the consumer in the retailer’s store and even at other stores, expanding the awareness of the brand outside their own shop.
How Can Retailers Encourage Their Customers to Reduce Waste?
Retailers that encourage their customers to dispose of packaging in an eco-friendly way, are able to increase their favorable impact on the environment. Here are some common methods used by retailers:
- Foodservice establishments should provide bins specific for recycling, composting and for biodegradable materials. Include the corresponding logos on packaging as well as symbols above the bins to indicate what items should go where
- For items that are delivered or carried home from a retailer, include disposal instructions on the packaging to help remind consumers to be mindful and to make it easier for them to know the best way to dispose of their retail packaging
- Use messaging on your retail packaging to inform that your business cares about the environment
Retail Packaging for Your Business
Servous remains at the forefront of trends in retail packaging. We’re specialists in wholesale packaging including sustainable, biodegradable, renewable and compostable bag and packaging options for the discerning business and their customers.
Our experts are here to help you determine the right packaging to fit your needs and your budget as well as can provide any customization or branding that you require.
Reach out today to see how Servous can provide the best retail packaging materials for your business!
Contact us today to speak with our sustainable packaging experts.
