Eco-friendly packaging benefits the environment
Today, there are several ways through which one can adopt a sustainable standard and style of living. And fortunately, those who have learned the methods to be more sustainable have taken up the mantle of not only setting an example but also educating people about how it can be done. In this article, we will take a closer look at the domain of eco-friendly packaging – an initiative that benefits and saves the environment.
Eco-friendly packaging is certainly the obvious next step towards achieving a cleaner and healthier community. This is mainly because we already have a vast population, and the levels of consumerism are only going to keep on increasing in the future. Thus, one of the best ways to counteract the adverse effects is by at least using packaging materials that will not add to the harm and pressure.
But before we jump into learning how one can be eco-friendlier and more sustainable, students reading this should also remember to keep their academics in check. Learning about the environment and ways of protecting it can take time. Thus, students are advised to do so only when they have completed all their academic work.
Fortunately for students, today’s (digital) environment also enables them to outsource some of their extra work. For example, students can use a top platform like Studyfy for their professional custom writing services and homework help. Doing so not only frees up some energy and time but also helps them improve their academic performance and scores.
In no particular order, here are 7 things you need to know about eco-friendly packaging methods.
1) They Are Beneficial, Healthy, & Safe for the Community & Environment
The main idea behind creating eco-friendly packaging is that they are beneficial and safe for the environment. As compared to other forms of packaging that contain harmful materials like plastic, eco-friendly packages utilize environment-friendly materials.
The process to create them is also carried out in a clean and safe way compared to creating plastic which adds to the toll on the environment. Most eco-friendly packages are also made with the goal of reusing them for longer durations than standard packages.
2) They Only Utilize Eco-Friendly & Non-Harmful Materials
Eco-friendly processes require one to use only those raw materials that are safe for humans, animals, and the environment. Durable and reusable packaging may be manufactured from plastic or metal, for example, but these containers should be longlasting and be fully recycled at the end of useful life. The methods exclude the need for using any type of harmful substance that cannot be properly disposed of. Eco-friendly products also ensure that their processes are safe and do not emit or discharge any toxic waste along the way.
Some of the materials used in creating today’s eco-friendly packages are –
- Plant-based materials like corn or wheat
- Recycled or Reusable plastic
- Biodegradable plastic
- Hemp plant materials & extracts
- Recycled paper and ink
- Bamboo shoots
- Recycled wood
- Rice husk
- Gelatine sheets
- Cellulose
3) They Can Be Easily Composted or Recycled Safely
Eco-friendly materials are not only those that are naturally sourced and used but also those that can be safely disposed of. For example, products like toothbrushes or pens can be made with eco-friendly materials. This makes them easier to dispose of or recycle.
Today, one can also find several ways of disposing of their products or packages. There are not only several types of waste dustbins available but there are also various institutions that specialize in disposing of different types of waste.
4) Choose the Right Type of Eco-Friendly Packaging – Compostable, Recycled, or Reusable
One should know about the different types of eco-friendly packages so they can use what suits them best. Below are the three main types of eco-friendly packages –
A] Compostable Packaging
This type of packaging is made from plant-based matter like corn or wheat. It eventually breaks down into compostable material, which can enrich the soil.
B] Recycled Packaging
This type of packaging is made from previously used single-use plastic materials from bags, bottles, and more. The idea is to curb the widespread use of single-use plastic materials by reusing them over and over again. Doing so also reduces the need for additional or new materials.
C] Reusable Packaging
This type of packaging is made from eco-friendly material designed to last longer, while dramatically reducing solid waste. The materials used are highly durable and easy to clean and maintain. You can help encourage reusable packaging by voting with your shopping dollars. You can also support government policy supporting reusable packaging usage.
5) They Have Better Standards in Product Designs, Too – Eco-Friendly Designs
Eco-friendly products also benefit the community in terms of their overall design and strategy. This means that they are consciously created not only to benefit the environment but also the community. For this, they are usually made in shapes and sizes that are ergonomic.For this, one can design their eco-friendly packages per the exact size and shape of their products – no more and no less. An excellent example of a conscious design is the apple iPhone box which is highly compact, durable, protective, and still good-looking.
6) They Need to Fit Market Standards – Quality, Performance, & Price
Commercially speaking, the most viable eco-friendly ideas can only prosper if they can be applied to serve the growing number of consumers. Thus, eco-friendly products must be created in a way that matches the existing packaging standards of the market.For the best results, eco-friendly products need to have a strong quality, long-lasting performance, and affordable price. If these main criteria are met, they can easily be applied to all types of markets without a second thought. Why? Because it benefits the environment and costs the same as its more harmful counterparts.
7) They Utilize More Renewable & Recycled Materials in Their Production
There have been several cases in which companies that claimed to offer safe products were actually creating them through destructive processes. This means that while their final product could be considered safe, their means of achieving the safety wasn’t in sync with the environment. Thus, eco-friendly packages should be produced with utmost care at every step.
This point also includes the designing aspects, as many large-scale printers tend to use harmful chemicals in their design printing processes. A true eco-friendly package would always use organic materials in its printing and production processes. A good way to produce better products is by using renewable or recycled materials.
The Bottom Line
We’re in the twenty-first century, but it has certainly taken a while since we realized the harm we’d been causing to the environment. This means that the industrial revolution, urbanization, and increased consumerism were actually causing more harm than good. And, it took several warning signs like global warming, loss of marine life, and more to wake us up. Fortunately, many of us did wake up from this one-sided exchange with the environment.