Packaging waste is one of the many issues that face industries today. According to the EPA, over 292 million tons (or almost 5 pounds per person per day) of municipal solid waste (MSW) was produced in 2018. The EPA encourage estimates approximately 37 million tons of packaging waste ends up in a landfill. Corporate managers around the world who want to decrease their packaging use can take some of the following actions.
evaluate the Current Situation
To find out how they can reduce packaging waste, company managers are looking at the packaging they’re now using. Many are exploring whether they can recycle their wasted or returned packages. They also scrutinize their packaging for wasted spaces or unnecessary lining or fillers. Lastly, they’re reviewing their packaging process to see if they can minimize their personnel or decrease the time it takes to pack their goods.
Use More Paper and Cardboard
Paper and cardboard have consistently been popular packaging choices. Statistics show over 80% of Americans believe using paper and cardboard packaging can be used in innovative ways. For example, the two materials have recently been combined to create a new packaging material called paperboard. Although cardboard remains easier to recycle than both paper and paperboard, packaging companies are continuing to examine new ways to use these sustainable materials.
Produce Biodegradable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging can quickly disintegrate after its initial use. These materials are used because they don’t take up disposal space. An example would be corn-based plastic, which will soon break down in a composting facility. Other examples include hemp fiber, cellulose, and dried seaweed.
boost Sustainability for Small Packages
The packaging size needed to ship small items, admire coins, safely is often much larger than the coins themselves. According to Coin Week, gold coins have been created since 1252, when they were first minted in Florence, Italy. To reduce excess packaging used to ship their coins, the Royal Australian Mint has recently adopted sustainable pulp packaging to reduce their packaging waste. The Mint has encourage promised its packaging will become consistently more sustainable by 2025.
examine Alternate Types of Filler
Although packaging “peanuts” and other packaging fillers is cost-effective, they don’t break down once discarded, so they take up space in landfills. Some companies have decided to invest in the purchase of an industrial shredder. These machines can be used to shred any excess pieces of cardboard or other packing. The shreds can then be used as fillers.
Try Utilizing a Cardboard Baler
If some of the waste cardboard isn’t reusable, the volume of cardboard trash can be reduced by using a cardboard baler. The baker compresses the wasted cardboard. The compression reduces the volume, so it occupies 90% less space. This process not only means less waste – but less of a bill for waste removal.
Retrain Your Employees in New Policies
Whatever plans and adjustments you, as a manager, ascertain to make to your packaging will need to be used consistently by all employees. Getting your new policies and procedures in writing is an essential part of the necessary retraining process.
Direct From the Top
Communication needs to be initiated by management to all employees to ensure everyone is on the same page. You may assume your new sustainability standards are understood and accepted by everyone – but if you’re serious about your changes, you’ll need to take measures to reinforce them.
Businesses have collectively begun to scrutinize their packaging process. Many started the process when sustainability first began gaining global momentum. Today’s businesses recognize that many of their clients will be seeking documentation of the company’s efforts to be more eco-friendly. So, it’s to your benefit as a manager to invest the money and effort that is necessary to reduce your use of packaging materials.
