During 2013, there were 78 million metric tons of plastic produced throughout the world. Almost all of this plastic was either dumped in landfills or ended up in the environment. Data indicates that 40% of the plastic entered landfills and 32% entered the environment. As a result, and various bodies of water became polluted. One of the best solutions to address this type of waste is to use plastic that can be recycled and reused.
It’s been established that a large percentage of this plastic waste enters the ocean, which amounts to an estimated 150 metric tons per year. This signifies that 31.9 metric tons isn’t disposed of properly. Recent figures indicate that the damage this causes to the overall environment amounts to a minimum of $13 billion every year. According to a 2016 Ellen MacArthur Foundation report, if concerted efforts aren’t made to address this situation, it’s possible the ocean will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
Customizable packaging solutions/options to this issue do exist, of course. Green packaging is at the top of this list for a variety of purposes. This ranges from retail packaging to plastic products, such as small utility boxes and safety glass cases. There are also customizable packaging solutions/options for a variety of other purposes, such as reusable clamshell packaging.
The 2016 West Rock Consumer Insights Study revealed some important consumer views and behaviors. Many consumers, for instance, will purchase a product because it has environmentally-friendly packaging. This was the case with 45% of the study’s participants. Furthermore, 26% of the consumer participants indicated that the way in which a product is packaged is extremely important to them. It’s interesting to note that in 2013, just 18% of consumers indicated that this was the case for them.
The aforementioned study also found that just 14% of the consumers they surveyed felt that many brands weren’t making an effort to satisfy consumer needs by improving their packaging. However, 66% of the participants stated that they had purchased a new product because the packaging attracted them. It’s highly likely that these packages were labeled as being made with recycled materials or that the brand engaged in other socially and environmentally-friendly practices.
Is your business searching for customizable packaging solutions/options? Reusable, eco-friendly plastic packaging can be created by select manufacturers. As a result, it makes good business sense to schedule a consultation to learn more about the best types of packaging for your products. When you use recyclable materials for your products, chances are that consumers will purchase your company’s products rather than a competitor’s.