4 Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic in your Packaging

We regularly hear about the plastic-free revolution on the news. If you haven’t heard, it’s a movement involving people cutting down on their individual plastic consumption, particularly single-use plastic items like straws which pollute and damage the environment. Every day, we’re seeing consumers and businesses make changes for the sake of the environment. Supermarkets in Australia now follow the European approach to combating single-use plastic and charge a fee for their plastic bags, while local cafes offer discounts to customers who bring in reusable cups.

More companies are vouching to do their part for the environment and cut down on plastic use. So, what can your business do to join the plastic free revolution? Here we look at some plastic-free alternatives to packaging and their benefits:  

1. Opt for Cardboard

Cardboard is one of the most ecofriendly options when it comes to packaging. While cardboard packages can be recycled, many boxes already comprise of 100% recycled materials. Not only is carboard better for the environment than plastic but it’s also durable, suitable for a vast range of products and it can be easily adapted to showcase a brand through printing, colour and specialised design.

2. Use Eco-Friendly Inserts

Unfortunately, plastic inserts or protective materials like bubble wrap which are used to protect items during transit frequently end up in landfill. This is because these materials cannot be recycled unless they are taken to specialised places such as 830 REDcycle Drop Off Points across Australia. To avoid using wasteful protective materials, instead opt for eco-friendly inserts. Cardboard inserts are strategically designed to fix products in place so they can’t move, mitigating the risk of being damaged during shipping.

3. Apply Biodegradable Tape

Most sticky tapes and packing tapes are unable to be recycled but thanks to advances in technology there are now some biodegradable options which are equally secure and reliable to use! Biodegradable tape is extremely useful because often people forget to remove the tape from packages which hinders them from being recycled. But if you use biodegradable tape then it doesn’t matter whether it’s removed or not from a package.

4. Choose Custom-Made

While standardised packaging might seem like a straightforward option, if the logistics of your product packaging is poorly designed then you’re at risk of losing sales, disappointing customers and having to pay costly redelivery expenses. Getting your packaging custom-made ensures you receive the best advice on environmentally friendly, safe and secure, and reliable options for your product line. Custom packaging considers all elements of design and engineering, so your business receives the most efficient solutions for eliminating waste, cutting down on costs and satisfying your customers.

At PPI, our in-house team of packaging designers and engineers will work with you to understand your packaging needs. We offer custom solutions that are economical, protective and environmentally friendly.

Connect with us or call us now on 1800 25 8000 to book your FREE initial packaging consultation in Melbourne. We’ll work to ensure your packaging requirements are met, if not exceeded.