Sustainable paper packaging: Keep it green

　　The packaging industry is finally paying attention to the environmental friendliness of its products. Both consumers and retailers are shifting their focus to green products -- sustainable paper packaging -- leading to changes in the way many companies approach sustainability.
　　Sustainable packaging. The two words do not always go hand in hand. Packaging waste is a huge global problem that your business may not want to contribute to! Therefore, understanding how to "go green" in packaging design is key to becoming a more responsible e-commerce retailer. In the discussion of corporate social responsibility, sustainability is increasingly the focus. Sustainable packaging is therefore one of the most viable ways for you to demonstrate your commitment.
　　
　　The environmental impact of packaging waste
　　Plastics play a huge role in consumers' lives. It's hard to keep track of how often we encounter plastic every day, especially in retail and food packaging. In particular, most of the things we buy are wrapped in plastic. It's no surprise, then, that the packaging industry is responsible for 40 percent of the world's plastic pollution and a third of all household waste. This is terrible!
　　Unfortunately, the e-commerce industry is one of the biggest culprits. This is due not only to the use of plastic packaging, but also to the unfortunate reality of "over-packaging". We've all had the experience of an object arriving and filling our living room with plastic. We call this experience the "Russian doll" approach, which is commonly used for order fulfillment: placing pre-boxed items in a second box with a lot of padding, resulting in excessive packaging waste.
　　At the current rate of expansion, e-commerce will contribute more and more to the problem over time. Global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4.9 trillion by 2021, accounting for nearly a fifth of all retail sales. Without green packaging solutions, the amount of plastic waste going into landfills will increase dramatically.
　　
　　Sustainable packaging as a competitive advantage
　　Thankfully, times are changing. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their buying habits, especially online. According to a McKinsey study, more than 70 percent of customers are willing to adopt environmentally friendly packaging products.
　　There's also plenty of evidence that going green in your packaging design can actually benefit your brand. BBMG's Consumer Awareness Report found that 87 percent of U.S. consumers believe they are more likely to buy brands that are committed to environmental practices. As a result, packaging as a tangible marketing asset is increasingly tied to brand identity and environmental attitudes. On the other hand, if brand owners do not use sustainable packaging, they may risk damaging the image of their business. For example, if your packaging materials can't be easily recycled, your customers may feel frustrated rather than excited.
　　
　　We have shown that there are good financial and personal incentives to use sustainable paper packaging. As the environment becomes a more prominent issue, it will continue to be important for businesses to adopt sustainable packaging. Fortunately, there are more green packaging solutions on the market than ever before -- and they're more affordable too! This is a great way for your business to reduce its carbon footprint while also giving you a competitive advantage in your industry.