What is Green Packaging?

Green packaging, also known as sustainable packaging or eco-friendly packaging, refers to packaging designs which have the lowest environmental impact possible. They achieve this by limiting the packaging waste created, maximizing sustainable materials (such as recyclable or biodegradable packaging elements) and the use of renewable energy during production. In short, sustainable packaging is all about being mindful of your business’s carbon footprint.

Why does this matter? Because packaging is one of the biggest outputs of waste for retailers. Last year, the delivery service UPS delivered 5.2 billion packages - that’s a lot of packaging materials! According to the EPA, sustainable packaging design is one of the easiest ways for small businesses to lower their footprint.

What is the definition of sustainable packaging design?

There is no universal definition for sustainable packaging. But an environmentally-friendly design comes down to a combination of these factors:

Meets cost and performance requirements. Sustainable packaging options, as well as minimizing environmental impact, still need to be affordable and fulfill the same needs as regular packaging designs. If they don’t, they don’t present a viable alternative to businesses. Think of it like choosing a Smart pump controller for industrial use—you need something that works reliably without breaking the bank. Similarly, packaging must balance cost and function to be a practical choice.

A life-cycle that feeds back into reuse and regeneration. The life-cycle of the average packaging design is a very linear one. It’s produced, used once, and then thrown away. Even if it’s biodegradable packaging, this is still a missed opportunity to integrate packaging materials back into a circular economy. A sustainable packaging design allows for reuse and recycling options. So, it uses far less non-renewable or renewable energy than one which requires packaging materials to be produced from scratch. This approach mirrors how modern industrial wireless automation systems optimize energy use by cycling resources efficiently.

Avoiding petroleum based packaging materials. Petroleum based substances, such as plastic, affect the sustainability of your packaging design. Petroleum is not a renewable energy source. This means it’s not a viable long-term solution for the packaging industry. Plastics aren’t biodegradable packaging because they don’t break down in a reasonable timeframe. (A plastic bag takes over a thousand years!) Recycled plastics are possible for containers such as bottles. But the soft versions which make up the majority of plastic packaging can’t be regenerated. This gives plastic a massive carbon footprint, meaning it can’t be considered a sustainable packaging option. For contrast, consider how a wifi garage relay or a dc wireless power relay can be reused in smart home setups, reducing waste through longevity and adaptability.

For more information on this topic, you can check out our 2019 sustainable packaging study here!

What are considered to be sustainable materials for green packaging?

‘Zero waste’ packaging is very difficult to achieve. But you can limit packaging waste by choosing eco-friendly packaging options wherever possible. As we’ve discussed, the most sustainable packaging materials are those with the smallest carbon footprint. They maximize renewable energy and present the most options for reuse, regeneration or safe disposal.

For example, a ‘single-use’ packaging design can have a negative environmental impact. But biodegradable packaging is designed to break down within a short timeframe. This is a great eco-friendly option for businesses, which is why we introduced compostable mailers into our range.

Biodegradable packaging materials include:

• Biodegradable plastics are also becoming a more viable option commercially. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition estimating that this market will see a 25% growth rate between 2015 and 2020.
• Recyclable packaging materials, such as paper and cardboard, are already in widespread use. Because of this, many businesses don’t always register that they use sustainable packaging already. But trust us, it makes all the difference!

But not all paper is created alike. As with most things, there are better and worse options. For example, sourcing paper and cardboard certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ensures that your packaging design is as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible.

Likewise, the ink used has a massive bearing on the sustainability of your design, especially for custom packaging. Petroleum based inks have a harmful environmental impact. So, soy-based inks present a viable eco-friendly alternative. Soybeans are a fantastic renewable energy source. They also produce much more vibrant colors for printed packaging designs! This is a bit like how a Smart Remote Relay or an ac relay receiver module can switch between energy sources to optimize performance—small choices add up to big impacts.

What are the benefits of sustainable packaging for my business?

All businesses have a responsibility to do their bit and lower their carbon footprint. But sustainable packaging has more benefits for your business than a more environmentally friendly outlook!

With the rise of the ‘conscious consumer’, sustainable business practices are what customers want. People are feeling greater empowerment to support brands which have the same values they do. Whether it’s about fair labor, renewable energy usage or reducing waste. According to a Cone Communications study, 91% of consumers expect businesses to practice corporate social responsibility. Packaging also remains the preferred method for receiving information about businesses’ efforts. In short, your packaging design matters. It’s a convenient shorthand for your customers to judge your eco-friendly efforts. So, making an effort to use sustainable packaging materials doesn’t just help the planet—it helps to attract business too! Just as industries like Silt Pond Pumping or Canal Drainage Control rely on efficient, sustainable systems to maintain operations, your packaging can signal your commitment to a better future.

For businesses exploring automation, technologies like a Wireless Pump Jack Switch, an industrial equipment controller, or a Constant Pressure Variable Speed (VFD) system show how smart design reduces waste and improves efficiency. Similarly, sustainable packaging uses principles of reuse and regeneration to minimize environmental harm. Whether you’re considering an agriculture relay controller for a farm or a zigbee home automation system for a smart home, the goal is the same: create solutions that work smarter, not harder.

If you’re curious about how tendlyn approaches sustainable packaging, feel free to reach out to us at info@axwp.com. We’d love to help you make your packaging greener and your business stronger.