Design For Sustainability
IT SHOULD BE A HYGIENE FACTOR
There are many things to consider if you want sustainable packaging. A good way is to DESIGN YOUR PACKAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY from the start, taking the whole value chain into consideration.
The first you think of is usually the PACKAGING MATERIALS. Is your goal to have a recyclable, recycled or re-usable packaging? Can you use recycled plastic, bioplastic or bio-degradable polymer instead of virgin PET or PP? Or can you change all the plastic for paper? Can you use recycled paper instead of virgin paper or maybe a new bio-paper that contains waste products or even grass? Will a recycled paper be durable enough for your product and how do you secure that?
There are many questions, and the best material for you depends on the way in which your product must be protected, where it is produced and packed, how the transportation will be handled and of course the state of the general recycling system in the country of the consumers. I will clarify this when looking into your requirements.
To design for sustainability also means to KEEP DIFFERENT MATERIALS SEPARATED, making it easy for consumers to recycle your packaging.
You have to THINK LOGISTICS from the start. Secure that the size and format of your packaging fit your transportation pallets and avoid shipping a lot of air.
You should AVOID OVERPACKING, i.e. to minimize the amount of material around the product, such as fillings, triple boxes and super-complicated inserts. Tailormade packaging for your product can reduce the material but also reduce storage space and cost, while simplifying the packing process.
When you know how your company defines sustainable packaging, you can create a SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING STRATEGY that ensures that all new packaging follows certain criteria that guarantee your established level of sustainability.
What About Your Suppliers?
DO YOU KNOW YOUR PACKAGING SUPPLIER?
Do you know exactly which material your packaging suppliers are using for your products? Do you have specifications and documentation of RoHs compliance? Do you know their social policy for their workers?
It is common to ask your product supplier to also arrange for the packaging production and kitting, especially if you produce and pack your products abroad. But if you want sustainable packaging you must secure the whole production chain, even if it is produced far away.
Require audits on sub-suppliers and study them. I can help evaluate the situation and make necessary improvements.
How Can I Help?
DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Based on interviews and an assessment of the current packaging and development process I evaluate the current status, suggest and recommend different ways to move forward to reach your company’s sustainability goals.
I plan and implement, estimate time and budget and then I make it happen.
