How to Adopt Sustainable Packaging — and the Role of Your Supplier

Reading Time: 6 Minutes

Whether driven by consumer expectations, regulatory requirements or brand values, sustainability has become critical in every industry. More brands than ever want to minimize their environmental impact and have viable ways to do so, including packaging. From source reduction to recyclability to transparency, packaging can help you meet sustainability goals while appealing to eco-conscious consumers and retailers. 

But, good packaging also requires performance, convenience and numerous other factors to convert consumers and cultivate brand loyalty. 

So, how do you meet packaging sustainability goals without compromising performance? We’ll share insights to keep in mind as you navigate the packaging process and what to look for in a sustainable packaging supplier. 

Understand sustainability regulations and how they might impact your brand. 

Emerging regulations like extended producer responsibility (EPR) can be complex and create packaging challenges. Limited recycling infrastructure and consumer knowledge gaps further complicate sustainability efforts, with actual recycling rates remaining low, according to McKinsey.

A knowledgeable packaging supplier will understand these challenges and provide support and solutions tailored to your product, brand and budget. They will also stay engaged in regulatory changes as consumer and retailer priorities shift. Partnering with a supplier committed to service and innovation ensures you stay ahead of industry changes and achieve long-term success.

Ask the right questions.

Your packaging supplier is imperative in meeting your sustainable packaging goals. Asking the right questions upfront will help you pinpoint solutions that work — or avoid solutions that are too good to be true. 

Questions to ask sustainable packaging suppliers include:

• How do you define sustainable packaging? 
  • This question will help you identify whether a packaging solution will support your sustainability goals. 
• Do you have the resources to support continuous productivity and adapt to industry changes? What are they? 
  • Effective packaging partners should have a continuous reinvestment plan and the capital to support it, as sustainable packaging and regulations are always evolving. 
• What do your research and development processes for sustainable packaging look like? 
  • The right packaging partner should be able to shed light on their processes and how it arrived at a solution. Additionally, they’ll always test performance and product compatibility. 
• Do you have samples and spec sheets?  
  • At a minimum, sustainable packaging suppliers should be able to share material spec sheets and samples so you know what you’re buying.
• What sustainability initiatives do you have in place? 
  • Sustainability goes beyond packaging. Working with a supplier that has efficient processes and sustainability goals of their own can further support your efforts to lessen your environmental impact. 

Choose the best sustainable packaging option for your product. 

Packaging for sustainability and performance is a balancing act. Even though sustainability remains a consumer value, consumers are also more sensitive to cost due to inflation and expect performance, especially if what they’re buying comes at a premium. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to sustainable packaging, it’s important that you choose a supplier who can help guide you to the right fit.

Packaging decisions should thus consider product qualities, price point, brand values, budget, and sustainability goals. This requires knowing what your brand needs from its packaging and establishing a specific definition of sustainable packaging. 

Types of sustainable packaging

Eco-READY™: Recyclable product packaging

• Single-resin flexible packaging recyclable through store drop-off
• Pressure-sensitive labels recyclable through standard recycling streams
• Folding cartons recyclable through standard recycling streams
• Helps meet extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements
  

Tru-IMPACT®: Made with responsibly sourced materials

• PCR content or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified 
• Flexible packaging
• Pressure-sensitive labels
• Folding cartons
  
• High-quality printing 
• Soft touch, matte and gloss finishes available
• Helps meet extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements
  

Sealutions™ Peelable and Resealable Lidding Films 

• Reclosable films for multi-use products, such as produce
• One-time seals for on-the-go products
• Reduces total plastic use by eliminating need for rigid lids 
• Reduces food waste by extending shelf quality
  

If your definition of sustainable packaging means fully recyclable, the packaging industry has made strides in engineering functional options that maintain product integrity. If it means source reduction, packaging made with post-consumer recycled content (PCR) is another potential solution. These options reduce reliance on virgin plastics, promote responsible sourcing methods and support the circular economy. 

Further, solutions such as peelable and resealable lidding films help reduce plastic use and food waste, extend shelf quality and require fewer materials. Flexible packaging generally uses fewer resources throughout its lifecycle than rigid packaging, offering a viable way to reduce energy and water use. 

Regardless of your goal, the right packaging partner will help you balance the factors you need to consider as you work toward it. 

Educate your consumers. 

Transparency is instrumental in creating trust. If you’ve adopted sustainable packaging and processes, tell consumers about them. Offer proof points about sourcing, production processes, waste reduction initiatives and other sustainability features. Leverage packaging real estate and emerging technologies like 2D barcodes to further educate consumers — and illustrate how to recycle your packaging, if applicable. 

Choose a packaging partner, not a vendor.

Successful packaging comes down to collaboration. Whether you’re a startup looking to package sustainably from the start or an established brand looking to optimize your packaging, your supplier should act as a partner in your growth. A true packaging partner will not only have a pulse on regulations and consumer expectations but will also be able to help you navigate them, guiding you to a packaging solution that makes sense for your brand, product, and goals.

Belmark combines decades of packaging engineering and expertise with a commitment to service and productivity, working with you to tackle sustainability challenges as you grow your business. With no order minimums and industry-leading turnaround times, Belmark can adapt to your needs as they arise.