Sustainability is rising, and governments and regulators are putting immense pressure on brands that use packaging to create a less negative impact on the environment. But what does it mean for the customers who buy your product?
With consumers becoming more aware of environmental issues, there is rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions, from eco-friendly to biodegradable packaging options.
The 2023 Buying Green Report shows consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging products despite rising consumer prices due to global inflation.
In fact,
For example, Procter & Gamble India became ‘plastic free’ in 2022, P & G aims to cut virgin plastic use in half by 2030, and Coca-cola aims for its global packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2025.
In this article, we will talk about consumers' demands and eco-friendly trends that can help brands to fulfill those demands using sustainable packaging design. Let’s dive in.
Let’s start with understanding eco-friendly packaging-
Eco-friendly packaging includes using easily recyclable and reusable materials with minimal environmental impact. In addition, this packaging is easily biodegradable and compostable, or something that can be made up of naturally derived materials.
Let’s talk about Indian markets.
With the advancement in general awareness, the packaging sector in India is included. According to a recent market report, Consumers prioritize sustainable options, and the government's initiatives and policies have further bolstered this trend.
Perhaps the central government has started banning single-use plastic, and laws have been implemented across different states of India. In India, 57% of companies have established a sustainability plan highlighting that India is growing towards sustainability across domains.
Eco-conscious startups are also contributing to the expansion. Certification and labeling schemes validate eco-friendliness, while awareness campaigns and education shape consumer attitudes.
For example,
With the increase in sustainability awareness, consumer demand has grown for packaging design. Consumers are actively seeking packaging solutions that align with their values and contribute to reducing environmental impact.
Here are some points regarding consumer demands for sustainable packaging:
Reusable and recyclable packaging has been gaining popularity in the last few years for reducing waste and encouraging a circular economy. Reusable packaging involves designing packages that can be simply reused multiple times, and recyclable packaging consists in collecting, sorting, reprocessing, and reusing the material to make another item or packaging.
This reusable packaging trend on innovative concepts like refillable containers multi-purpose packaging, and that can be used for storage or decorative items.
On the other hand, recyclable packaging refers to reprocessing materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and specific type of plastics that contributes to reducing the waste and conversation of resources.
The key aspect of reusable and recyclable packaging is using sustainable materials that lower the environmental impact and can be easily integrated into recycling systems.
Here’s an example from H & M, the shopping bag can be converted into a cloth hanger.
Another example is Repack, a packaging-selling company that allows customers to return the packaging once the goods are emptied. The packaging can be folded into an envelope and then reused.
Minimalism packaging is more than just simple and plain packaging; it balances packaging design and the minimum amount of materials possible. That means using less overall, recyclable, or reusable material to reduce environmental impact.
Minimalist design is used for four reasons by brand-
By reducing the use of excess material and eliminating unnecessary components, minimalist packaging can offer elegant and modern appeal.
For example, the boxes of Apple are famous for their minimalistic design.
Biodegradable and compostable packaging is created with materials that are easy to break down into a natural, healthy state over time. They do not contain any harmful materials, which can be released into the air or earth to decompose.
Innovations in bioplastics, plant-based materials, and sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging materials, such as paper, cardboard, and mushroom-based packaging, are making waves. These materials break down naturally, reducing the burden on landfills and minimizing pollution.
For example, MetaBamboo uses Noissue’s compostable mailers to ship products to customers.
Sustainable packaging paper coating is eco-friendly and bio-renewable, making massive headway in the paper packaging market.
One of the remarkable qualities of paper packaging is its biodegradability and compostability. Unlike their plastic counterparts, most papers naturally break down over time, returning to the Earth with minimal harm to the environment.
Most paper-based packaging is made up of recycled paper pulp, which is obtained from waste paper, which is further cleaned and converted to a slurry. The slurry is converted to paper and then cut according to the shape and size.
These are eco-friendly, durable, and customizable, which can be recycled, making them a more sustainable option.
For example, KitKat paper wrappers are more eco-friendly than traditional plastic ones.
The bags are reusable and made up of recycled materials such as paper, cotton, Canvas, and jute. In addition, these materials are much stronger and sturdier solutions than plastic bags.
These are 100% reusable bags made up of compostable and biodegradable materials, making them environmentally friendly. In addition, these bags are highly cost-effective as they are long-lasting and can save hundreds of dollars.
Materials like paper, cotton, jute, polypropylene, hemp, nylon, and polyester are used.
For example, Jute Cotton Bag offers the finest quality jute bags at affordable prices. These reusable bags quickly decompose within two years when added to a landfill.
The growing demand and sustainability awareness have made a transformative shift towards eco-friendly packaging design. Consumers' expectations have evolved, and brands embrace innovative approaches to meet those demands.
From using biodegradable and compostable materials to adopting reusable and recyclable packaging, brands must redefine their packaging design approach.
At Bizongo Desworks, we are helping brands to meet the customer expectations by having an eco-friendly approach and packaging solutions.
Let’s connect & chat to know more about our services.