Retail and e-commerce play a vital part in the UK economy, contributing to 4.9% of the UK’s total economic output in 2023.
But despite the critical role, there’s significant pressure for brick-and-mortar and online shops to operate on shrinking profit margins while facing increasing pressure from consumers to adopt sustainable practices. The reality is that balancing profit and practicality with sustainability is challenging; especially when it comes to packaging, where environmental impact and consumer expectations are exceedingly hard to navigate.
From the Plastic Packaging levy to accusations of greenwashing, the sustainable packaging landscape is becoming increasingly complex and can often feel impossible to navigate.
At Titan Packaging, we’ve been assisting national brands in the health and beauty, food, and beverage industries in developing sustainable packaging strategies. Here are some sustainable packaging ideas that can help your retail or e-commerce business make a positive impact.
1. Reduce Your Packaging Size
We’ve all been there. You’ve finally received your parcel and it appears to be the world’s biggest box with a product that’s the size of a jelly bean. Now, you’ve got to get rid of excessive cardboard and void fill.
It’s a common issue that most retailers struggle with; after all, according to DHL the average box is 40% too big. Packaging that’s too big or too small is a waste of material and increases the risk of products being damaged during transit, thus impacting your returns rates (and excess carbon emissions that come with this). Storing several different size cardboard boxes is also inefficient, and means you’re holding onto excess stock.
Instead, consider 3 to 4 different box sizes that can be used across your product range. This reduces the amount of ‘empty space’ and filler shipped, thereby decreasing environmental impact and material costs. Smaller packages also allow for more efficient transportation, reducing emissions and costs per item. Additionally, appropriately sized packaging minimises product damage and return rates, ensuring items reach customers in perfect condition.
2. Recycled Plastics > Virgin Plastics
In an ideal world, we’d eliminate plastic entirely and utilise materials that were 100% recyclable or biodegradable. However, there are instances where plastic remains the best material for the job, due to its waterproof and durable qualities. However, these same properties are what make plastic so bad for the environment, as it takes anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose (The UN).
The good news is that switching from virgin plastic to recycled plastic can significantly reduce waste and environmental impact (and save money). According to Tide, plastic recycling can save up to 80% of the carbon emissions associated with virgin plastic.
Pair this with the fact that the UK government has increased the Plastic Packaging Tax from £210.82 per tonne to £217.85 per tonne for any plastic with less than 30% recycled content, it’s clear that recycled plastic is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice.
At Titan, we offer plastic closed loop recycling. This means that we’ll recycle plastic and put it back into UK manufacturing. By implementing closed loop recycling you can preserve natural resources, minimise harm caused to plants, reduce pollutants and lower the use of landfill sites.
Discover more about closed loop recycling in our blog.
3. Make Labelling Clear
One of the biggest barriers to recycling is a lack of instruction and unclear labelling. If the plastic wrap, void fill or cardboard you’re using is recyclable, it needs to be immediately obvious to the customer. You should have easy-to-see, clear recycling symbols and instructions (do they need to remove tape? Should the plastic be taken apart?) This can significantly help improve recycling rates. Clear labelling removes the guesswork and makes it easier for consumers to do their part in reducing waste.
4. Make Your Packaging Reusable
We’ve all experienced it before - you’ve spent ages picking the perfect present for someone and they’re obsessed with… the packaging. From kids discarding the toys and spending hours playing in boxes to cats sitting in the box their cat bed came in, rather than the bed itself, your packaging can have a new lease of life after it's transported your products from A to B.
So why not enhance your customer experience by designing packaging that can be reused? For example, if you manufacture children’s toys, you could create packaging that can be coloured in or used as part of the toy. In the luxury beauty sector, packaging could double as a reusable branded makeup bag or luxury box. Adding a QR code to your packaging or accompanying materials is a great way to communicate how your customers can reuse the packaging, reducing the likelihood of it being thrown away.
5. Review Your Packaging Storage
How and where your packaging is stored is often an afterthought, but can have huge implications if materials aren’t stored properly.
For example, temperature fluctuations and excess moisture can compromise the structural integrity of materials like cardboard. Additionally, poor storage practices such as how and where materials are stacked on shelving can lead to damage.
All of this could result in material waste from unusable packaging, or products being damaged during transit. This therefore impacts returns rates and causes further emissions from product returns and replacements.
Implementing proper stock management and working with a specialist packaging consultation to replenish supplies as needed can help maintain the quality of your packaging.
6. Optimise Your Packaging Process
Packaging products takes time, and human error is inevitable. However, mistakes can be minimised when you introduce machinery, automation and ensure everyone has proper packaging training.
For example, utilising machinery such as tape dispensers and wrapping machines can ensure consistency every single time, and streamline the packaging process, reducing material usage. Training staff to use these tools properly not only enhances cohesion but also promotes health and safety, reducing accidents and associated time off work. If you’re unsure of how to bring machinery into your packaging process, speak to a packaging consultant - they’ll review your operation from start to finish and recommend the right packaging solutions for you.
7. Use FSC® Certified Products
Every year, the UK uses 12.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard and 7 million tonnes end up in landfill every year.
This is why it’s important to use paper and cardboard that’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®). This ensures that the materials come from well-managed forests and recycled sources. The FSC® certification is a stamp of approval that demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and assures consumers of the environmental responsibility of the product. It can also be a defining factor when customers choose to purchase from you. In 2021, 71% of adults expressed a preference for FSC-certified products.
Implement sustainable packaging practices with Titan
Adopting sustainable packaging practices is not only beneficial for the environment but can also improve profitability by reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction. A lot goes into choosing the right packaging for your product, so it’s important to make sure you’re following government guidelines and opting for packaging that protects your product and is cost-effective. Find out more about how to effectively package your products.
Get in touch with Titan Packaging today.
