Reusable Packaging, and how it Opens the door to sustainable Futures 

Sometimes, recycling isn’t going to cut it. biodegradable packaging is still pretty new, and you might not be ready to shoulder the costs for sourcing.

Enter reusable packaging. It’s what it says it is. it’s packaging that allows you to use and reuse it again. Think of those mailers that have a little sticky end for returns, or a box that can be repurposed for shipping something else out or holding it. there’s a ton of different types of ways to reuse packaging, and here we’ll go over how it’s done. 

Durable Construction and Design 

With reusable packaging, there’s a lot of emphasis on the durability of materials, and their design. You’re not just making a package that’s going to be used once, but multiple times. boxes that are reusable tend to be thicker and offer a lot of fun ways to really improve the construction process. 

You want to make sure that when you design this, use corrugated materials, and consider using a harder plastic or bottle to use again and again. 

Designs for Usages 

Now, not every reusable package is going to be just a box that you can use in the future for another item. They can be designed for many different uses. 

For instance, a box that turns into a hanger, or even a box that has perforated edges, in order to cut out a game, are good examples of this.   Having a box that doubles as a fort for kids is a great way to get the little ones involved, enhancing the experience and making this even more fun for everyone. 

The benefits and Challenges of this 

When you’re using reusable packaging, you’re grossly reducing waste. There’s less being tossed away. Little by little, it saves the planet, making it a valuable item for a lot of people looking to really enhance their product and packaging. 

It also is good for the environment. You’re tossing out less plastic and waste, and thereby, enhancing the overall experience of such. You’d be surprised at the difference that this makes, and the results that come from all of this too.

But with this, comes some challenges. Reusable packaging does need to be more durable. This can be a problem, especially in the costs front, because corrugated and double-walled sorts of boxes do cost a lot more to produce, and you’re taking a gamble on if the person’s going to actually use it. 

The second thing is the usability of it.   some items might not be easy to use again and again, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t really see a use for it. kids may like box forts, but how long are they going to use this?   it can in turn create a problem in the form of the way you handle your boxes.   That’s why it’s important that, if you plan to design these, you’re able to create something that has some semblance of reusability that will help the person that buys it use it.

When you design these, make sure to make these reusable options as appealing as possible. Tell them, but definitely don’t be too in your face with it.

Make it convenient for people to use it too. give them pictures on how they use it. 

Finally, ensure that you have brand identity in place with this.   your brand is what you put out there, and the brand identity can make a huge difference.

Doing all  offers you a chance to have some unprecedented growth, and really make it shine for customers. 

The Benefits of Recycled Packaging 

When you’re trying to get more customers, your packaging might be what’s holding you back. With over 70% of consumers choosing to be more eco-friendly and sustainable, if you’re a company that isn’t, it’s going to damage you.

Even “recycled” plastics may also not be recycled. They tend to lead more to landfills than to a recycling plant.

That’s why sustainable packaging that’s recyclable might be the answer to look into. 

The Benefits for the environment 

For a lot of people, packaging is crucial for protection, information displaying, and boosting your marketing.

But one conventional approach that packaging offers has also been a problem. The environmental crises have started to happen, due to the onslaught of single-use plastics, along with non-recycled types of materials.  They’ve led to landfills that are overflowing, waters that get polluted, and ecosystems that harm people.

Many consumers do understand that which is why over 80% of them actually think that these retailers will curb this plastic packaging.

What’s your alternative though? Recyclable packaging will boost the image of the brand, and bolster sales too. 

The Best Packaging: corrugated board 

Corrugated board or cardboard is considered one of the best types of packaging, not just for protection, but also on a sustainability level. 

Many corrugated boards have two types of outer layers, known as linerboard.  Then in the middle, is fluting. Fluting offers durability and is good for protecting products when they’re shipped out. 

It’s one of the best and most popular types of packaging and is used to transit items across many distances. 

Corrugated also is much more renewable, so it’s far less harmful to the world around you than plastics and other packaging. 

The Benefits of Corrugated Packaging 

There are a few benefits that come with corrugated packaging.

The first is that it does reduce waste. This is due to it being customizable, so that the material waste is eliminated. its’ formatted so that it fits around products snugly and reduces this material and interior packaging that’s used.  This is good for eliminating packaging peanuts.

Corrugated also doesn’t minimize the upfront waste, but it also reduces the material wasting that happens after you’ve shipped out something.  Corrugated is very recycled, especially compared to plastics.  Many times, a lot of it is disposed of as a residue, especially when you use this.  recycled corrugated material is better, and it reduces the energy within incinerators and waste.

It also is good for resources and energy conservation. Many recycled packaging options don’t just result in less waste transported to landfills, but it also provides a better way to conserve resources and energy. Due to the fact that corrugated is very recyclable, it’s made primarily with materials that are reused, creating more powerful results than if you just used other types of options. 

Because of the low amounts of recyclability, a lot of plastic packaging is virgin. Virgin packaging is not good for the environment, especially since many times virgin packaging is discarded into the oceans and landfills.  You also need to use more energy to build and craft new plastics.  Did you know that plastic is responsible for 3% of the total energy consumption within the US? This is actually double what the aviation industry does, so it’s important for a lot of people to look at this.

Corrugated paperboard does use energy, but it’s usually about a third of this, and a lot of times there’s far less virgin packaging with that regard.

Keep this in mind and choose the right packaging that best fits your needs.