Categories: PRINTING

Eco-Friendly Packaging for E-Commerce: Making the Switch with Crystal Print Media

Shopping is no longer limited to physical stores. With the e-commerce boom in the recent decade, many buyers have turned to online shopping for all their retail needs. The global e-commerce market is projected to reach 8.1 trillion dollars by 2026. The number of retailers who are establishing digital stores is also growing day by day.With the growth in the e-commerce market, it has been very important to uplift your business and shine through eco-friendly custom packaging as the thing that actually hits the customer’s mind is the look of the product before they see the quality.

With online sales staggering in ridiculous amounts, the competition is getting fiercer. There is a constant need to be unique and different to set yourself apart from your fellow retailers. From marketing strategies to stickers to labels, brands are trying every possible way to attract customers. The only medium through which brands can interact with their customers is through custom packaging.

There are different ways a product can reach its customer, be it through convenient plastic cases, oversized boxes for a small product, or even cardboard boxes. However, these packaging materials do have their demerits.

Conventional eCommerce Packaging: Why It Is Not the Answer

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to packaging is cardboard boxes or plastic bags. These are both very common forms of custom packaging, and they have been used for decades. However, these types of materials have several problems associated with them:

They are made from non-renewable resources which takes a long time for them to decompose after use.
They are not biodegradable so they get accumulated in landfills and may take thousands of years before they break down.
Recycling them will be difficult as they require special machines, which most recycling facilities need access to.

What do the statistics say about e-commerce packaging?

Packaging is one of the biggest challenges facing sustainability today. It is estimated that over 50 percent of all household waste comes from packaging alone. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, packaging constitutes one-third of all household waste, and this is destined to rise along with e-commerce sales. Moreover, the packaging industry is responsible for 40% of plastic pollution in the world. Unfortunately, the e-commerce industry is one of the most significant contributors. For instance, Flipkart alone makes around 8 million shipments every month. This is not only due to the use of plastic packaging but also to the unfortunate reality of ‘over-packaging.’

If sustainable packaging solutions are not adopted, the amount of plastic waste going to drains and landfills will increase drastically.

Eco-friendly Packaging: The Need of the Hour

Eco-friendly packaging is also known as sustainable packaging or green packaging. The term ‘sustainable’ refers to a long-term approach to resource management that minimises environmental impacts and enhances economic and social benefits. Sustainable packaging helps to reduce carbon footprints and conserve natural resources.

However, eco-friendly packaging is not just about reducing waste or using recycled materials, it’s also about choosing packaging that doesn’t harm either people or animals. This means avoiding plastics or other harmful materials like BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates, and PVCs whenever possible.

Types of eco-friendly packaging

With e-commerce growing at a rapid rate, many companies are looking for ways to make their packages more sustainable. Whether they’re trying to reduce their carbon footprint or reduce waste, here are some eco-friendly packaging options you can use in your business.

Compostable Packaging

These types of packages are made from materials like corn starch and sugar cane, which break down quickly in a composting environment. If your business sells food items, then compostable packaging might be the best option for you because it allows consumers to easily dispose of their food waste by throwing it into their backyard compost pile or backyard composter.

Biodegradable Packaging

Biodegradable packaging is a type of eco-friendly material that breaks down into natural elements after it has been discarded. This means that it will not stay in landfills for long periods or cause problems with waste management systems if it gets thrown away improperly by consumers and businesses alike.

Recyclable Packaging

Certain types of plastics can be recycled indefinitely, but most types of plastic are not recyclable as they are made from blends of different resins that do not separate when melted down. Recycling depends on the material composition and the recycling facility’s ability to separate different types of plastic.

Top Environment-Friendly Packaging Materials

The most popular eco-friendly packaging materials include:

Glass jars and bottles – Glass is not only recyclable but also reusable. It is a great alternative to plastic or metal.
Paper boxes – Paper boxes are made from recycled paper fiber, which makes them an eco-friendly option for packaging your products.
Foam peanuts – Foam peanuts are made from polystyrene foam, which is 100% recyclable and can be reused multiple times before being recycled again by manufacturers.
Paper bags – Paper bags are made from recycled material and can be reused multiple times before being discarded into landfills after use.

Make the Switch with Crystal Print Media

Our company offers eco-friendly packaging for a wide range of products, from simple cardboard boxes to complex customised packaging items. If you are looking for an e-commerce packaging supplier in Australia for your business, then look no further than Crystal Print Media. We create superior products that meet all our client’s demands at competitive prices and with custom designs.

We have hand-picked the finest quality packaging material for your packaging requirements with an eye to making a positive impact on the environment.