Biodegradable Packaging as an Innovative way to Reduce global waste

The global waste problem has only gotten worse in recent years, with packaging being a big reason. Companies are scrambling for solutions. One of them is biodegradable packaging.

This type of packaging breaks down when you put it in the soil, and is the ultimate solution for reduction of global waste.   With more and more eco-friendly packaging options for customers and various businesses, there’s a lot of potential. Here, we’ll go over the elements of biodegradable packaging, and why more companies are choosing this as a solution for their packaging needs. 

Elements of Biodegradable Packaging 

With biodegradable packaging, you’re looking for a more natural type of packaging that breaks down. These tend to be plant-based, whether it’s the outer box, or even the inner lining for the packaging.

With so many great options to choose from, the sky’s the limit on it.

Cornstarch and mushroom are two popular ones. These are manipulated, and then will be manufactured into packaging. When done, it breaks down in the soil, since it is made with plant-based materials. Cellulose also works too, so it can be a viable solution to your packaging needs. 

With biodegradable packaging, you do need to make sure that you get the right certification for this. These include packaging certifications that show these are sustainably sourced. One problem with this type of packaging is that when they’re not sourced properly, it creates problems down the line. It contributes to soil erosion, and other problems.   With the right certifications, your packaging is totally good, and won’t cause further issues due to oversights. 

The other thing to look at is to ensure that it really is biodegradable. With more coming to the market, they want pieces of the pie. This means that the packaging might not be as sustainable as you think. make sure to do your research before you start to begin with biodegradable packaging solutions. 

Why go Biodegradable 

Here’s what’s scary: our landfills are filling up, and our oceans are being polluted. The pollution entraps animals, and leads to the emission of pollutants, contributing to the increase in greenhouse gasses.

With the climate crisis in full swing, companies need to consider other solutions. This includes looking at your packaging, ensuring that you’re able to give something safe and sustainable.

With biodegradable packaging, you’re reducing the rampant plastic pollution and landfill filling of needless items with various biodegradable alternatives that are out there. 

If you do this, you’ll make customers happy too.  more and more customers love that the companies take care of their packaging. Giving these solutions will aid with making it so that you’re able to appeal to a larger customer base than ever before. 

The considerations of Biodegradable [packaging 

There are a few considerations that you need to be mindful of, in order to use biodegradable packaging.

The first are the costs. This packaging costs a lot of money at the beginning, more than some of the beginning businesses are willing to fork over.   Keep this in mind, and make sure you can shoulder those costs. 

The other problem is the durability of the packaging.   It isn’t as durable as other means.  If you can’t get the results that you want from this, consider alternative solutions such as recyclable or reusable packaging.

Finally, scalability.   As you grow your business, you will need to scale it. This can be a challenge if you’re sourcing from c companies that are small. Keep them informed, and see for yourself . Biodegradable packaging is the future, and something worth considering too.

Sustainable Packaging for the Beauty Industry

These days, the beauty industry is all about taking care of the environment. While we are familiar with reduction of testing on animals, it’s now moved into another direction that is familiar for many.

The packaging of their products. The beauty industry does create a marked effect on the environment, but their packaging is something we don’t talk about as much.

Unsustainable packaging has been a problem, especially with the rise of packaging products that you cannot throw away.

That’s why some brands are taking it upon themselves to be sustainable, and to have the packaging work well for those beauty brands. Here, we’ll go over the different types of sustainable packaging beauty products can use, and the end result of this type of packaging.

Materials and Practices for Sustainable Packaging 

In the world of beauty, there are some practices that are worth mentioning. The first is the outer container.

Paper is usually what’s used for the outer packaging. Kraft paper especially has become popular, especially for more natural brands.   In other industries, some of them have started to upcycle and recycle the packaging boxes that are there.    Some even try to use alternatives to plastic packaging, such as glass. These are all valid means. 

Speaking of recycled and biodegradable, both of these are also used in packaging. Some beauty brands have made it so that their bottles are recycled when brought in, and then after you’re done, you get some cashback for bringing it back.

In the world of biodegradable materials, there’s a lot.   Some companies have even started to use biodegradable plastic for each of these, as the material is very easy for you to use.   

Some companies have started to use refillable solutions. A customer buys the bottle, and when they’re done, they can refill it.   if they need to buy a replacement they can. This is a great way to use an item again and reduces the use of single-use plastics. 

Finally, in a lot of sustainable companies, there’s a new rise in edible and washable inks.   Good for the environment, these come right off, without harming the fibers of the packaging. Some beauty brands have started to use this, because it is safer for the cosmetics as well, reducing the chemicals that are present. 

The Benefits and Challenges 

When packaging for the beauty industry, there are some major challenges that come with this, and some different benefits that also follow as well.

One of the biggest benefits is of course, reducing the waste and environmental impact. This is the most obvious, but when cosmetic companies change to this, it does create a surefire impact.

But there are some downsides. One of the biggest challenges is that they struggle with actually pricing out the packaging so you still are in the black.   Aesthetics are another. Some beauty companies benefit from the more natural aesthetics, whereas those that are a little more luxurious do need to be mindful of how they’re going to make their materials sustainable to use. 

Finally, the functionality. Not all customers have the ability or desire to go in and return a bottle when they’re done. Brands need to realize this and provide an optimized solution so that their audience is willing to be sustainable with their packaging. 

Obviously there’s a lot of different ways to grow with this, and a ton of growth in this realm. With that side, if you’re a beauty brand and trying to stand out a bit more, consider going sustainable, and seeing for yourself just what types of packaging you have.