What really is sustainable environmental packaging? The word ‘sustainable’ is thrown around pretty often these days, but what does it actually mean, and what does it mean for the future of mono material packaging?
How important is protecting the environment to you? If you are anything like countless others around the world today, the answer to that question will likely be ‘very important’. In 2018, a Nielsen survey concluded that among American consumers in the United States a whopping 48% were ‘likely to change what they buy to meet environmental standards’.
But how many of us actually know what it really means for a package or product to be considered sustainable? In order to make well-informed choices and not let companies pull the wool over our eyes, it’s important to do a bit of research.
Many people aren’t aware nowadays there are even mono packaging materials that are completely composed of one single material. The options for renewably sourced packaging companies are growing year by year, supplying consumers with more options than ever for renewable packaging materials.
In this article, we’ll go over what sustainability truly means, and what the differences are between the two main types of sustainable renewable and recycled.
What makes renewably sourced packaging sustainable?
The term ‘sustainable’, when used to describe packaging material, implies that a product has a minimal environmental impact, as compared to other more environmentally damaging options.
In order to be considered truly sustainable, there are a few characteristics that must be considered.
Sortabilty
Can the packaging be effectively sorted at an MRF facility in a nearby location? And does the packaging have an end market?
Cost
Will the cost of the sustainability process be feasible? Companies that make packaging sourced from renewable resources must keep the cost of production and the respective cost to consumers in mind.
Performance
Does the packaging do a thorough and efficient job at protecting contents as intended? Does it carry said content as well as any other less sustainable packaging? Leaks, breaks, and degradation will only lead to a waste of materials, and therefore, would not be beneficial to anyone.
Sustainable
Can it be recycled, reused, and composted?
Sugarcane-based mono material packaging made from Polyethylene (PE) falls squarely in the category of sustainable. Thanks to its materials that come from renewable resources and the fact that it can later be recycled, gives this mono material packaging a sustainable label.
What is renewable content?
In order for packaging materials to be labeled as renewable, they must be made up of natural resources that can be efficiently and naturally replenished. These natural resources should be derived from well-managed sources. Today, most renewable materials come from sources like sugar cane, trees, and feedstocks.
The great part about renewable content is that it can be recycled just as easily as non-renewable content such as glass and plastic.
What is recycled content?
Sometimes, renewably resourced packaging is just not an option for a brand or company. When this is the case, recycled plastics packaging is the next best option for keeping things environmentally friendly.
Recycling is the process of turning existing materials into brand new products and packaging materials. Recycling can drastically help cut back on the energy and consumption of non-renewable materials.
Reliable and effective renewable packaging from DTS Europe
As mentioned earlier, there are many complex requirements that companies must meet in order or to declare their products renewable.
Companies like DTS Europe produce mono-materials for all kinds of cosmetic packaging needs. Their mono-material packaging is made from sugarcane-based resin that meets the criteria to be considered a fully renewable resource.
According to their website, DTS Europe says; “sugarcane production (which occupies 1% of arable land in Brazil) is extremely efficient regarding water consumption since it is naturally irrigated by rainfall. Choosing a sugarcane PE mono material contributes to reducing the carbon footprint as, during its production process, it captures and reduces carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The final word
Thankfully, it’s becoming increasingly more important to consumers, to buy from brands that use renewably sourced packaging. This is driving up demand for companies to reach out to more renewably sourced packaging companies.
Renewable packaging materials such as the renewably sourced packaging company DTS Europe’s mono material packaging can be easily and effectively recycled, which is crucial when it comes to actively protecting our environment.
Mono material packaging is one of the best options for renewable packaging. It does its job well, and compared to other packaging materials, has a very minimal effect on the environment.
