The most sustainable packaging is the one that uses only as much material as necessary. Reducing material conserves resources and lowers costs. It also prepares you for the requirements of the EU Packaging Regulation. Here are the most effective approaches.
The biggest lever is a precise fit. Packaging matched exactly to the product needs less board and little or no filling material. It also takes up less space in storage and transport. Check whether your box sizes really fit your products. Often a few extra, well-matched sizes pay off instead of a handful of standard boxes.
Many packs are stronger than necessary. A slightly lighter board or a finer flute can offer the same protection if the construction is right. It is important to keep the requirements for stability, stackability and product protection in mind. More in our article How does material choice affect packaging quality?.
Does the product really need a film, a box and a shipping carton? Often one layer can be dropped. A sturdy mailer box, for example, can be both retail and shipping packaging. More in our article The right packaging for e-commerce and shipping.
Filling material is often a sign that packaging is too large. Well-fitting boxes or cardboard inserts make it unnecessary. Where padding is needed, paper is a good alternative to plastic.
Large-area plastic lamination increases material use and makes recycling harder. Varnishes and targeted accents often achieve the same effect with less material.
Overproduction is also a waste of material. Packaging that becomes obsolete in storage and is discarded after a design change burdens both the environment and the budget. Plan quantities realistically. For smaller quantities and variants, digital printing is an economical option. More in our article Digital printing for small and medium runs.
Saving material must not come at the expense of product protection. A damaged product causes many times the environmental impact through replacement, returns and disposal. The goal is optimal packaging, not minimal packaging.
Send us the dimensions and weight of your products. We will check where material can be saved in your packaging and send you a binding quote within 24 hours.
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