{"id":3560,"date":"2022-07-13T09:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T16:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.morganchaney.com\/?p=3560"},"modified":"2025-05-21T08:23:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:23:32","slug":"your-packaging-needs-to-be-more-sustainable-thankfully-its-not-hard-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.morganchaney.com\/blog\/your-packaging-needs-to-be-more-sustainable-thankfully-its-not-hard-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Packaging Needs to be More Sustainable. Thankfully, It’s Not Hard to Do."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Here\u2019s a sobering piece of data: in 2018, containers and packaging contributed 30% of community solid waste<\/a> in the US. That\u2019s 82.2 million tons of packaging that\u2019s not getting repurposed or recycled, and that\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As e-commerce continues to explode year after year, the amount of packaging that we inevitably toss in the trash will only grow. But here\u2019s some good news: reducing packaging waste isn\u2019t only possible, it\u2019s pretty simple to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you work for a large company or own your own business, chances are you care about the pollution (and shipping costs) generated by your products and services. Let\u2019s talk about some action items you can use to immediately and permanently reduce the impact of your business on the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the Lifecycle of Your Packaging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s actually pretty easy to purchase bulk packaging online without understanding where it comes from or how it\u2019s made. Knowing how that packaging is created and the environmental impact of its transport from its shipping origin to you is key in understanding how to make more sustainable choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Material Origins: Do Your Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Product packaging is made from materials that are virgin (never used before), partially recycled, or completely recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virgin materials are the largest problem in this category, because they\u2019re introducing new substrates rather than repurposing materials that have already been used. Sometimes, though, the packaging you need may only be available using virgin materials. In that case, make sure that they\u2019re coming from manufacturers using sustainable environmental and forestry practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"recycled<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Partially and fully recycled materials are generally widely available, unless you need a very niche product. These are in general the most sustainable choices, since they keep materials that have already been used in use for longer. Our own EcoPlus paper shopping bags<\/a>, for example, are a sturdy bag made from 100% recycled post-consumer and post-industrial paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll sometimes see packaging products that are made from alternative, plant-based sources, like bagasse, bamboo, pineapple, and more. Be careful when selecting these products: while some are excellent eco-friendly choices, others require the clearing of forests to produce, and others that claim to be biodegradable or recyclable are not in regular landfill settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Material Destinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What happens when your customers unpackage your products? Where does all that material go? Unfortunately, according to that same 2018 study, only 34% of consumers recycle packaging waste, and that number looks a little more bleak when you consider how much packaging can\u2019t <\/em>safely be recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for materials that can be easily recycled, recomposted, or repurposed by your customers. Great examples of these materials include recycled paper and paperboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of our favorite examples of that is Lush, the ever-eco-friendly beauty brand. They feature in-store products that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n