What Makes Shipping Packaging Sustainable?

When we think of the characteristics associated with good product packaging, qualities like protective, durable, functional, cost-effective, and convenient come to mind. However, another attribute is increasingly important for today’s bottom-line-minded brands: sustainability.

Of course, sustainability is important because it benefits the planet and its people. However, it’s also critical from a business perspective — especially when you factor in increasing customer demand for sustainability.

In fact, 67% of consumers say they value products packaged in recyclable materials, while 54% consider the sustainability of product packaging when making purchases. Among younger consumers, this number spikes even higher. A whopping 88% of Americans under 45 are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at what “sustainability” means in the context of packaging and highlight the qualities associated with sustainable packaging. You’ll also gain clarity regarding what to look for when seeking sustainable packaging.

What Is Sustainable Packaging?

In simplest terms, eco-friendly shipping packaging is packaging that lessens its environmental footprint.

This can be accomplished in several ways, including:

• Using recycled and/or raw materials
• Adopting eco-friendly production, shipping, and supply chain processes
• Extending its reusability toward a longer life cycle and a circular economy
  
  

Why Sustainability Matters in Shipping Packaging

With ecommerce not slowing down anytime soon, more products are shipped and placed in shipping boxes. The demand for ecommerce boxes is immense and only growing — which means its environmental impact is growing, too.

As mentioned above, consumers value sustainability — especially younger shoppers who are more likely to shop online. Since consumers are paying attention to the environmental impact of packaging, you can bet this applies to shipping boxes as well! Many consumers will likely grow frustrated with plastic fillers and excess packaging material they can’t recycle if they haven’t already.

8 Qualities of Sustainable Shipping Boxes

A global authority on sustainable packaging, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) identifies eight criteria for sustainable packaging. They are as follows:

1. It’s safe, healthy, and beneficial for people and communities through its life cycle
2. It fulfills expectations for performance and cost
3. It utilized renewable energy throughout its lifecycle (sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, and recyclability)
4. It optimizes the usage of recycled and/or renewable sources
5. Its manufacturing processes utilize clean production technologies
6. It’s made with materials that maintain their health throughout its lifecycle
7. It has been mindfully designed to optimize both energy and materials
8. It’s recovered and used in closed-loop cycles (either biological, industrial, or both)

3 Sustainable Shipping Packaging Ideas

Sustainable shipping packaging doesn’t have to be complicated. Corrugated cardboard is a time-tested material we’ve used for decades that’s easy to recycle and readily available. Here are three ways to leverage corrugate in your shipping packaging:

Right-Sized Boxes

Reduce the need for filler materials like packing peanuts and your overall material usage by right-sizing your shipping boxes. A right-sized box snuggly fits the product with minimized extra space. Not only are you using less material, but you’ll also be spending less on shipping materials — a win-win!

Recycled Corrugate Shipping Boxes

Paper products are some of the most recycled products, which means using corrugate made of recycled paper is an easy way to reduce your brand’s environmental impact! Using recycled materials means spending less energy on processing raw materials, lowering your brand’s overall environmental impact.

Check out the lifecycle of a box made from recycled corrugate.

Design Boxes for Reuse

Have you ever received a package, picked up the shipping box after opening the item, and said to yourself, “Now that’s a nice box.” You’re not alone! A good, sturdy corrugated box is perfect for storage, arts and crafts, gift-giving, or giving the house cat a new hiding place.

Incorporate messaging onto your shipping boxes for how your customers can reuse them. Whether that’s directions for a fun craft for a rainy day or simple tips to turn an ordinary box into a kitty castle, the sky’s the limit! Encouraging consumers to use every part of what you send them, not just the product inside, shows your commitment to sustainability.

Sustainable Shipping Packaging: Why It’s Important To Practice Due Diligence

Unfortunately, some brands play it loose and fast with environmental claims, which can be confusing at best and misleading at worst — to consumers and brands alike.

While words and phrases like “compostable,” “degradable,” “non-toxic,” “recyclable,” “made from recycled content,” “made with renewable materials,” and “refillable” may suggest that packaging meets the expectations set forth above. However, this is only the case if the environmental benefits of using it outweigh the environmental costs.

Another way to look at it? If there are no specific environmental benefits, claims like “green” and “eco-friendly” do not necessarily indicate sustainability.

This can be challenging for consumers and brands alike. This is where sustainability certifications come in. For example, our Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certification demonstrates that all the raw materials in our supply chain have been responsibly sourced toward forest management. Certifications like SFI certifications provide consumer assurance and peace of mind.

See everything Bay Cities is up to with our sustainability initiatives.

Build Your Business With Bay Cities Sustainable Packaging

At Bay Cities Packaging & Design, sustainability is built into everything we do — from recycling old corrugate boxes and utilizing right-sized packaging, water-based adhesives, and digital printing with water-based inks.

Because sustainability is a journey, we’re always open to new ways to improve our practices and processes. As such, we’re proud partners in the SPC, working collaboratively to realize a more environmentally friendly vision for packaging that promotes environmental and economic health.

If you’re looking for ways to boost your sustainability (and your reputation with consumers), product packaging is an excellent place to start. At Bay Cities, we’ll work with you to customize eco-friendly shipping packaging, industrial packaging, retail packaging, consumer packaging for subscription boxes, and more — all with sustainability at the forefront.

To learn more about our industry-leading sustainable product packaging or for inspiration in designing your own, check out our portfolio.