You can probably sympathize with consumers frustrated by the amount of products that are over wrapped, (90% of all products according to the latest studies.). Most of you have noticed that many natural products are presented in boxes, small crates, or with plastic wrap, such as fruits and vegetables that already have natural protection. It is not uncommon to spend more than 15 minutes to unpack the products you bring back from the shop. Merchants too are concerned about the time it takes to prepare the products for display. In short, everyone agrees that there is room for improvement in this environmental challenge. In fact, this image, taken from an ad campaign in Liege, Belgium, is what we call : a picture is worth a thousand words!
Extreme pollution: a challenge for brands!
Certainly, the major brands have made efforts to transform their packaging to incorporate recyclable materials, but reality shows that less than 70% of the packaging is recyclable so far. There are legal and security constraints required to protect the consumer, but is it necessary to put a cardboard wrapper on yogurt containers that are already attached together, or put toothpaste tubes in boxes, which also arrive at the merchant over packed to avoid breakage during transit. This necessary evil forces the recovery of a large amount of boxes that in the best case are recovered by retailers of slightly used boxes, such as Cartonnerie Montreal and B.Box, or in the worst case, in recovery sites. So in the name of consumer protection and product marketing, packaging represents 175 kg of waste per person per year, or 385 pounds, it’s huge.
Legal constraints, security and marketing: and Green thinking?
All these excesses in the cost of packaging are passed on to us. Whereas the overall packaging can represent up to 65% of product costs, potential savings are substantial. Of course, we all want to be informed, and have safe packaging but admit that the imperatives of design should prioritize green resolutions, or at least be ecological and economically sound. The 3R approach should be a priority if we want to significantly reduce the amount of waste associated with packaging, third, it is too much. We triggered an embracing of the green movement in February.It is imperative that companies join the bandwagon thinking of future generations rather than product advertising needs.
The future of packaging: What can actually be done?
It would be very clever to predict the future, but if we extrapolate the present, we know that solutions are constantly studied, tested, and innovation seems to make way in this area. Think ecological packaging: buying in bulk, or food wrapped in organic packaging, and refillable containers. Interestingly, two Berliners have even started a supermarket without packaging, awesome is’nt it? The list goes on continuously, In the hope that attitudes are changing, and that solutions come quickly, meantime, we strive to give a second life to transport boxes, encourage their reuse, and refer us to enterprises that would benefit from preparing a recovery program organized for large quantities of boxes in good condition. We also work hard to provide efficient and environmentally friendly packaging materials. Let’s work together!
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