Sustainable protective packaging: how it works!

The topic of sustainability is currently more topical than ever. As a result, awareness of our environment and sustainable living is increasing. As a result, more and more consumers and companies want to take responsibility. In the supermarket, for example, we don't reach for plastic protective packaging, but for cardboard protective packaging because we choose an environmentally friendly option.

Now you are probably asking yourself whether consumers actually use cardboard protective packaging or whether this is just wishful thinking on the part of us as manufacturers of cardboard protective packaging. We can understand that! Therefore, we will show you below that ​​sustainability influences the purchase decision. You will learn what makes protective packaging sustainable and what you as a company should consider when choosing environmentally friendly cardboard protective packaging. And why we are your ideal partner for sustainable protective packaging solutions.

Do consumers demand sustainable protective packaging?

Is this just hype going through the media? Or our subjective perception as a packaging manufacturer   and as people who care about your environment.

To answer that question, we'll look at the results of a comprehensive 2019 study by Pro Carton. Pro Carton conducted a survey on this subject in the seven largest European countries. Pro Carton found that the protective packaging material influences the purchase decision and that the idea of ​​sustainability shapes this decision.

Let's look at what Pro Carton learned from this survey:

• 52% of respondents are buying more products in eco-friendly protective packaging than they were 12 months ago.
• 52% of consumers consider cardboard to be the most environmentally friendly type of protective packaging.
• 75% of customers say a product's protective packaging influences their purchasing decision.
• 52% of consumers have switched brands or products because they had concerns about the protective packaging they used.
• If the same product were packaged in plastic and cardboard, 81% of respondents would choose cardboard protective packaging.
• 77% would pay more if the protective packaging of your desired product had a less environmental impact.
• 90% of respondents would like more information showing how environmentally friendly the protective packaging is.

Did you expect these numbers? We find it phenomenal that more and more people are dealing with the issue of the environment and are also consciously opting for sustainable alternatives. Pro Carton's survey clearly shows that you should choose carton protective packaging as a brand. Because many consumers consider cardboard protective packaging to be an environmentally friendly solution. You respond to the needs and wishes of your customers. And you also gain an advantage over your competitors.

Use this competitive advantage:

Customers are in the store and want to buy a product. The first thing you see is the protective packaging. Customers who are now concerned with the topic of sustainability will most certainly not use plastic protective packaging. With cardboard protective packaging, you have a good chance that the customer will take your product off the shelf. If your protective packaging is now printed with an attractive design, the customer will be impressed by your product protective packaging.

But what exactly is environmentally friendly protective packaging?

Sustainable protective packaging consists of renewable and/or recyclable raw material. Environmentally friendly protective packaging has the smallest possible CO2 footprint: This can be achieved through lean production processes and the shortest possible supply chain. In addition, the material of the protective packaging should be reused or recycled to extend the life cycle.

Cardboard protective packaging is, therefore, the right choice

Cardboard is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. Consumers consciously choose products in cardboard boxes because they want protective packaging that does not harm the environment.

Cardboard is made from renewable raw materials, wood and grass. Alternatively, waste paper can also be used for production. For example, turn your old notebooks or love letters into cardboard sleeves. Paper fibers are a renewable raw material that can be 100% recycled and reused as protective packaging material. Once the wood is put into the material cycle, it is used repeatedly.

In addition to the material, you have to consider this for sustainable protective packaging

Buy custom-fit protective packaging: Construct a cardboard box with millimeter precision to make it the perfect size for your product. Your product is securely packaged with tailor-made protective packaging without wasting any unnecessary material. Also, no cavity that has to be filled with filling material can arise. You only use as much cardboard as you need. This saves costs and is sustainable.

Order small quantities: Purchase your printed protective packaging in the required quantities. For example, if you need 100 pieces, then order only 100 copies. There are many advantages to ordering protective packaging in small quantities, especially when launching a product. Because that way, you can test the boxes first. You might even try out several designs before you decide. If your printed protective packaging is well received, you can order larger quantities. You also do not need much or even no storage space. In this way, the boxes do not "gather dust," and no protective packaging is left over.

Use only one material to pack your product: the protective packaging and the filling material should be made of the same material. So just cardboard and paper. Thanks to this measure, consumers can dispose of the material together without separating them before disposal. This eliminates the risk of the materials not being properly recycled. The probability is, therefore, higher that the material will be recycled. Examples of such protective packaging include cardboard sleeves such as folding boxes filled with tissue paper, stuffing paper or paper protective packaging chips.

Choose an environmentally conscious protective packaging manufacturer: You should be able to order cardboard protective packaging in individual sizes and small quantities. In addition, the protective packaging manufacturer should produce responsibly and conserve resources. Good indications for this are various certificates that prove that production is sustainable.

Why can you trust us for environmentally friendly protective packaging?

We don't waste any material: The online protective packaging company Britwrap produces using the collective printing process. This is particularly resource-saving since as many jobs as possible can be placed on one sheet. This leaves as little material as possible during printing.

The raw material wood is important to us: We guarantee that our raw material wood comes from well-managed forests and controlled and resource-saving cultivation.

Do you also opt for cardboard protective packaging?

Environmentally friendly protective packaging is more than just using renewable and recyclable raw materials. Sustainable protective packaging should have the smallest possible carbon footprint and not waste unnecessary material.

A conscious choice for a sustainable protective packaging material such as cardboard and a precisely fitting size of the protective packaging underlines that the environment is important to your brand.