Reusable and Returnable Containers

Guide to 'Green' Packaging

Recycled product packaging and transport materials can help save money as well as the environment
By Beth Stackpole

Packaging waste has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Choosing recycled or "green" materials for your product packaging as well as your transport materials is socially responsible and often economical, too. The U.S. currently has no legal requirements regarding environmentally-friendly packaging, but other countries do have special requirements. If you're exporting, you'd better be aware of them. There are a number of reasons to go "green," including:

1. To help save the environment and be a socially responsible business.
2. To gain a competitive advantage as more people become concerned about environmental problems.
3. To stay ahead of regulation.
4. To save money on shipping – environmental packaging can be lighter weight.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shopping bags and totes Recycled shopping bags have come a long way from the simple Kraft paper models of yesteryear. These days, merchants can choose from recycled paper and plastic shopping bags and totes that have an upscale look and feel. Applying graphics and logos is no problem with these bags.

I recommend:  For a variety of recycled retail shopping bags, go to EarthPack.com.

Food packaging To-go containers, plates and coffee cups are dished out in the millions each year. Restaurants and other foodservice businesses can do their part for the environment with a variety of biodegradable packaging products.

I recommend:  Find suppliers for foodservice packaging that's designed to biodegrade quickly at the Biodegradable Products Institute, or go to EarthShell.com.

Packing materials If you have a mail-order business or an online retail operation and ship a lot of packages, consider converting to eco-friendly packing materials.

I recommend:  EcoProducts.com offers a full line of boxes, tubes and bags. They even carry biodegradable peanuts.

Bottle packaging With green packaging, bottles can showcase your brand and send a message to consumers that you care about the environment.

I recommend:  NatureWorks' PLA Packaging, a 100 percent corn-based packaging product, is available for beverages, consumer goods, food packaging and serviceware.

Plastic packaging Environmentalists have singled out plastic as a major offender. But it's viewed as a packaging necessity in many industries. Fortunately, innovative manufacturers are devising new ways to create packaging materials that aren't as harmful as plastic.

I recommend:  Buckell.com manufactures thermoformed packaging using renewable materials for the retail, health and beauty, and food industries, among others. Its product line includes blister and clamshell packaging.

Industrial packaging Manufacturing and other industrial businesses can do a lot to reduce waste and to minimize their impact on the earth.

I recommend:  Sinlessbuying.com offers a line of paper products made from sugarcane fibers and plastic products made from starch-derived plastic, including industrial packaging, food packaging and even janitorial supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Minimize the amount of material of any sort used for packaging purposes.
• Make sure your recycled packaging materials are durable enough to stand up to the wear and tear associated with the distribution of your product.
• Pay attention to weight. Many recycled packaging materials are lighter weight than traditional offerings and thus can save money in the long term due to lower postage costs.
• Be sure to factor in the ability to recycle whatever recyclable packaging materials you choose as part of a larger strategy to embrace 'green' principles for your business.