5 Tips for Making Your Packaging Operations Greener

While product packaging has been around for centuries, today’s manufacturer faces unique challenges as the quest to go "green" to save the environment becomes imperative rather than optional. Here are 5 tips to make your packaging operations greener. You'll not only save money, but you’ll also please your environmentally savvy consumers, too – and that bodes well for public relations and for your bottom line:

Make packaging functional.

Packaging needs to be easy to use and "functional" for consumers to be attracted to it and keep buying it. Certainly the product within the packaging is the consumer’s main focus, but the package's functionality and attractiveness are also important. An eye-catching package that's easy to open makes your product a much better seller than a difficult to open and plain package that doesn't tell the consumer about the product at a glance. Functional packaging will cost you less because you’ll typically use less packaging materials. And you can promote this fact to show you are socially responsible because you are creating less waste with less packaging materials. Functional, attractive packaging makes your product more attractive and therefore more salable, too.

Make packaging from recycled materials.

This is almost becoming a no-brainer. Consumers are increasingly more and more savvy about environmental concerns, and many choose products in part based on what they see as the manufacturer’s environmental sensibilities. If you're seen as a product manufacturer that cares about the environment because you make your packaging from recycled materials, you enjoy lower production costs while simultaneously increasing your "green" quotient both in terms of your bottom line and in terms of environmental responsibility.

Make packaging recyclable or biodegradable.

Again a no-brainer, with so many options available. If your packaging is such that consumers can recycle it instead of throwing it out, they'll be happier and you'll also be helping the environment. Alternatively, if the packaging material can't be recycled (such as with many types of food packaging, for example), opt for packaging materials that biodegrade quickly. This is perhaps the most important of the 5 tips for making your packaging operations greener, because waste can be reduced or even eliminated over the long run when packaging can be completely recycled or is at least biodegradable.

A note about using non-toxic materials: Make sure the packaging you use is indeed non-toxic since toxic materials cannot be recycled. In fact, be certain all materials used in your packaging are non-toxic and eco-friendly, whether or not they are biodegradable or recyclable.

Make packaging that is light, lean and ships efficiently.

Lighter, leaner packaging means less expensive and more efficient shipping, and that directly impacts the environment as well as your shipping operation costs in a positive way. Lighter packaging means less gas or other fuels are used in transportation, which in turn has a major positive environmental impact. In addition, your bottom line also enjoys the savings that lower shipping costs bring. Obviously, the product inside the package must be protected, but today's packaging is much lighter than older styles without sacrificing sturdiness or protective ability.

Make packaging reusable.

Packaging that is reusable either by the consumer or the manufacturer is not only "green" but also cost-effective. Most consumers like getting something for nothing, so if the packaging can be used once the product is used up (for example, for storage), they feel like they're getting more for their money. Alternatively, reusable shipping boxes lower the manufacturer’s costs and saves time, materials, and resources. Simply having shippers return shipping containers to you means you don't have to make more and can ship more products more efficiently.