Why Eco-Friendly Packaging Matters to Consumers

 

Reading Time: 6 Minutes

The move to sustainable and eco-friendly packaging has been a long-term culture shift across various industries, particularly food and beverage. A survey conducted by McKinsey & Company consumer found that American consumers are more aware and concerned about the environmental impact of packaging in the products they purchase. In fact, 60-70% of those surveyed said they are willing to pay for greener options and are searching for packaging partners who offer more recycled, recyclable, and fiber options available to them.

This major shift in consumer attitudes and behavior contributes to Belmark’s environmental focus on sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options. Explore why choosing eco-friendly packaging is so important to consumers and how to improve your brand’s green footprint with packaging.

Media coverage of climate change, landfill waste, and community interest stories have played a role in helping to draw awareness to the bigger picture issues of sustainability and safety. Concerns related to toxic runoff, environmental leaks, and landfill crisis are top-of-mind for consumers. Communicating the recyclability and post-consumer waste composition of packaging products helps draw attention and inspire confidence in the marketplace.

For food packaging, other concerns that top the list for consumers include shelf life and quality, as well as safety and hygiene. Consumers’ requirement for labels and packaging that convey safety and quality was most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when brands were pushed to double down on upgrading their packaging. High-quality packaging doesn’t have to trade off environmental-friendliness for function. They can match the shelf life and quality you have come to expect from conventional options (and look great on shelves) while drastically reducing waste to landfills.

Increased Flexibility, Increased Sales

Craft brewery Castle Danger aimed to reduce the environmental impact of its beer packaging and moved to 100% recyclable packaging (that is also 35% post-consumer waste). Taking advantage of Belmark’s quick turns and no minimum order quantity, see how this brewery became has become a standout for sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Examples of Eco-Friendly Packaging

eco-READY™

Consumers are on the lookout for recyclable, eco-friendly product packaging more than ever before. With the eco-READY™ line of pressure sensitive labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons, recyclability is within reach for nearly every kind of packaging you need. You can add to your own sustainability story with eco-friendly product packaging options that display your values and align with environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, Belmark’s eco-READY™ labels and packaging options offer enhanced capabilities like washable label adhesives and How2Recycle^® badging that can go on products.

Sealutions™

Belmark’s Sealutions™ checks all the boxes—transparency, safety, functionality, sustainability—with five types of sealed and re-sealable lidsto meet any product need. Using significantly less plastic than the standard clamshell packaging option (over 30% reduction), Sealutions™ offers aneco-friendly alternative that doesn’t cut corners.

Packaging That Makes Produce Craveable

Be sure to read the story of Plenty, a Silicon Valley-based vertical farmer that reduced its plastic use by 46% thanks to the implementation of resealable film. With bold branding and quality products, see how Plenty has become a standout that delivers freshness in an environmentally-friendly way.

tru-IMPACT^®

Give customers the confidence of sustainable packaging with tru-IMPACT^® eco-friendly pressure sensitive labels, flexible packaging, and folding cartons. Belmark’s tru-IMPACT^® pressure sensitive labels and flexible packaging are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Folding Cartons are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). All products have a high composition of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Consumers are on the lookout for products that use compostable or recyclable packaging. At Belmark, we’ve made a commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices. We provide our customers with sustainable product solutions that help build their brands. By doing so, we make the biggest impact. Together. Partnering with a team of packaging experts will guide your team on options to increase your green footprint and market to consumers while maintaining the integrity and shelf quality of your product.