While the term ‘sustainability’ has become commonplace in most conversations about the future – both in communities and amongst policy makers and leading industries – the word itself remains incredibly subjective. If we look at sustainability holistically, it can be described as meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future. However, what may be sustainable for one business may not be for another; just as our communities may perceive sustainability differently, depending on their capacities to make the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle. Communities and the individuals within them are, after all, the driving force when it comes to businesses moving towards more sustainable practices.
Sustainability and packaging: Can the two co-exist?
When considering packaging options, consumer choices are sometimes made out of convenience, or lack of education about other available options, rather than a lack of care for the planet. However, uneducated choices about which packaging is harmful to the planet can lead to people inadvertently purchasing the wrong product or making uninformed decisions. For example, many forms of packaging end up being far heavier than what is actually required to store the item, with incorrect materials chosen or simply too much of it used.
Businesses may create unintended consequences with their choices of packaging when it comes to their operational efficiency. Packing time in a warehouse may take significantly longer, and more labour, if the packaging used is not suitable for any current packing equipment. Oftentimes, moving to sustainable materials requires changing or purchasing equipment that is optimised to suit the requirements of the new material. This calls into question whether businesses themselves can remain sustainable when changing products and processes to suit the demands of their people and the planet. It is important to consider if any increased costs to the business will return sustainable solutions in the long-term.
Sustainable products do not exist in a vacuum; they cannot purely serve the environment without serving the needs of the customer and community as well. Packaging solutions need to be sustainable in terms of affordability, the planet’s resources, and the customers’ lifestyle. It’s a lot to balance. However, with climate change becoming increasingly more important to all businesses and their respective customers, the future of sustainable packaging promises to be far-reaching and innovative.
