6 Sustainable Packaging Tips For Overseas Products

Mihai-Alexandru Cristea 28/08/2021 | 13:04

The materials used in packaging are ordinary objects that everybody uses or encounters every day. Some of the common packaging materials include cardboard bags, plastic bottles, and metal cans.

 

However, the production and disposal of such items require a high energy input and systematic planning that takes environmental and economic factors into account. With the further deterioration of the natural environment due to pollution and global warming, the need for measures such as the use of sustainable packaging has also increased.

Sustainable packaging offers a lot of benefits. It’s versatile in that it can be repurposed and reused in all major industries where it’s utilized. Furthermore, it can positively impact your brand message. With it, a company can convey that they care about the environment. Remember: buyers are more likely to support an enterprise that implements eco-friendly practices. 

Nevertheless, if you’re planning to adopt sustainable packaging for your overseas products but don’t know how and where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips you can try:

 

  • Use Organic Materials

 

One of the best organic materials you can use for packaging overseas products is cornstarch. This substance comes from corn grains, and you might be surprised to know that it has plastic-like properties. Because of this, it can be utilized as a sustainable packaging option. 

Aside from cornstarch, mushroom packaging is another good material you can look into. To manufacture this particular product, agricultural waste is added to mushroom roots. Since it’s made from organic waste, this is an excellent biodegradable option that won’t harm the environment in any way.

 

  • Work With A Sustainable Packaging Company

 

Since sustainable packaging can offer numerous benefits and is becoming more and more popular, there are now many suppliers out there like Stephen Gould that are paying more attention to environmentally friendly alternatives.

With such companies, they can help you choose the right solutions that’ll meet your needs and even your budget, which would benefit startups or small companies the most. But keep in mind that not all suppliers offering sustainable packaging can be trusted. So before you consider this option, make sure to do adequate research to ensure you’ll end up with the right company that can help you with your products while promoting sustainability.

 

  • Invest In Smart Packaging

 

Smart packaging is one of the most interesting movements that has emerged in the industry. This innovative and experimental market is developing a wide variety of fascinating solutions. From smart labels indicating freshness to scannable recycling instructions, people will be able to interact more with the packaging of products than ever before.

If you’re still on the fence about developing smart packaging, know that it’s an excellent route to take as it offers plenty of benefits. Smart packaging may help reduce wastage, improve customer engagement when it comes to recycling, and even extend the shelf life of a food product. Consumers will also be able to get helpful information in a highly convenient manner.

 

  • Use Eco-Friendly Fillers

 

Bubble wrap, which is the most popular filler used today, isn’t good for the environment since it doesn’t decompose. So if you’re looking for a harmless option, consider using wrapping products made from upcycled corrugated cardboard that serves the same purpose as bubble wrap.

In addition to that, you can use biodegradable packing peanuts that are a perfect alternative to Styrofoam peanuts and expanded polystyrene (EPS). Often, this biodegradable option works better compared to regular ones, and most importantly, it’s easy on the environment. 

 

  • Avoid Overpackaging In The Supply Chain

 

When it comes to retail supply chains, packaging materials are abundant. Usually, products are bundled, bagged, or baled before being received, often utilizing additional packaging. With that in mind, it’s important that you optimize how merchandise is moving across the chain so you’ll be able to lessen such materials together with the wastes that come with them.

To enhance your supply chain, work with your vendors and suppliers. You can properly forecast demand to make sure that you don’t over-order or overproduce items. What’s more, consolidate the shipment to reduce the use of packaging materials. And most importantly, encourage the supply chain to opt for more sustainable materials in the process.

 

  • Ship In Smaller Packages

 

Reducing the materials being used in packing your products may lessen your company’s ecological footprint. In other words, you should use smaller bags, containers, and boxes whenever possible. This’ll help you become more sustainable and cut down on your packaging and shipping expenses

To start reducing the size of shipments, you’ll need to use fewer filler materials in addition to smaller packaging supplies. You should also try playing around with the positioning as well as the size of your overseas products and check if they can fit in a smaller package.

For instance, if you’re selling furniture that’s impossible to disassemble, look for ways you can position the components of your product in order to find out which method will help you save more space. On the other hand, if you’re packing beddings, apparel, and other products that can be folded, you can keep them tightly bundled to snugly and safely fit in smaller packaging options. 

 

Final Say 

If you’re looking for new packaging ideas for the goods you’re selling, you can impress people with an innovative solution like sustainable packaging. Ensuring that the packaging of your overseas products is sustainable will make a huge impact on how your company operates and how people will perceive your brand. Using sustainable packaging will not only show your commitment to customers but also prove that you’re concerned about the environment and willing to take the necessary measures to protect it.

Nevertheless, when transitioning to this kind of packaging, you should order only a small volume of sustainable packaging materials. Afterward, assess the customer reception, each option’s durability, and its overall performance. 

Once you determine that you have the right materials, you can begin ordering more as you completely switch to your new product packaging. However, don’t change everything at once. To make your efforts even more sustainable, it’s best to take things slow. This way, you can use up the remaining packaging materials you have instead of throwing them away, which would ultimately defeat the purpose of using eco-friendly alternatives.

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Mihai-Alexandru Cristea | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
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