February 24, 2022
Sustainable packaging is the new trend, especially for beauty products. It is also called green-packaging, clean-packaging, eco-packaging and environment-friendly packaging.
Green packaging is the type of packaging that is way less harmful to the environment. It refers to the practice of sourcing, developing and usage of the packaging solutions that have minimal impact and footprint on the environment.
It is an approach that aims to minimize the negative, social, and environmental impacts of packaging. This entails determining the lifecycle of various packaging materials as well as the availability of trash and recycling facilities to process waste.
With the rising trend of green packaging, skincare manufacturing companies are making sure to use eco-friendly packaged products to save the environment. As per ecommerce consumer survey conducted by Dotcom Distribution in 2021; “Given the choice between receiving an online order in a box or a poly bag, 82% of all respondents prefer boxes, with 27% of that group crediting their preference to boxes being more eco-friendly. 24% percent of those who prefer boxes said they reuse the boxes.”
The above-mentioned data suggests that end consumers in the beauty industry crave sustainable packaging. To knowhow private label beauty brands can use sustainable packaging strategies to their benefits, continue reading:
You can minimize your ecological footprint simply by reducing the packaging stuff you use. This reflects using smaller containers and boxes for your skincare products. Not only will this help you to be more sustainable, but it will also reduce your shipment costs.
Reduction in your shipment sizes starts with buying smaller packaging supplies and utilizing a few filler materials. If possible, you can opt for the size and positioning of the skincare products and observe if they can fit in small packages.
Another one of the top sustainable packaging strategies is to use recycled packaging materials. It is a useful way to increase the lives of used materials. When making a decision on boxes, or containers, consider opting for packaging that is manufactured of recycled materials.
Paperboard is among the common and glaring examples of recycled packaging. Paper pulp is used to create paperboard as it is lightweight and can be easily cut and formed, which makes it perfect for shipping boxes.
Also, you can go for containers that are structured from already used plastic materials such as bottles and single-use bags. These plastic materials are processed through recycling facilities. You can put them back into circulation in the shape of packaging supplies.
Plant-based packing options are increasingly making inroads into the world of skincare sustainable packaging. Self-explanatory, plant-based materials are structured out of biological sources. This means everything from seaweed and mushrooms to food waste and corn.
The right options for plant-based packaging materials will depend upon the products you need to ship. If you’re selling lotion, for instance, you should make sure the material can shield your product efficiently (bioplastics can be a useful solution for this). If you have to ship bulkier skincare products, then pick plant-based materials that are durable such as the packaging of mushrooms and cornstarch.
Plantable packaging is similar to what it sounds like. You can plant these materials while this packaging is a good option for private label skincare products. Plantable packages contain embedded seeds and therefore, the end consumers can plant them after they finish using them.
Compostable packaging material is manufactured out of the stuff that you can compost commercially and at home. Often, they are produced from plant-based polymers that can be decomposed in compost.
How much time is required to completely compost these packages? It depends on the materials and quality. A facility of commercial compost can vanish these packages in 90 days, while some domestic compost conditions can break it in180 days. Plantable packaging is a great and workable option for lightweight and small items such as cosmetics and skincare products. They can be used as product wraps or fillers too.
Aluminum has been a long recycled medium. It is strong and light, durable, flexible to form, corrosion-resistant, and highly conductive. It is100% recyclable and among the only packaging materials that can recover its collection cost and can be processed into a newborn metal.
Besides safeguarding perishable items, recycling aluminum retains natural resources. Further, saving energy also suggests a reduction in carbon emissions. For example, a ton of recycled aluminum saves 95% of the GHG emissions during primary manufacturing.
Corrugated boxes carry the image of being 'environmentally correct' as they can be recycled into fresh boxes and other products. This particular image is justified up to a considerable extent as the content of recycled fiber of corrugated packaging is usually the highest among paper products. As per study, by 2023, the global market value of corrugated packaging is expected to reach 294 billion USD.
Contract skincare products manufacturers use paperboard mills for both pre and post-consumer old corrugated containers. Pre-consumer waste is a form of corrugated material such as trimmings and off-rolls from box plants. Post-consumer waste includes containers that have been utilized for shipping.
Glass is among the popular sustainable packaging in the skincare industry as it can be recycled indefinitely while maintaining purity and quality. Contract companies that specialize in recycled glass bottles aim to make private label skincare products lightweight. Also, they help in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide.
There are different methods of manufacturing glassware: semi-automatic, automatic, and mouth or hand blown.
The automatic technique is used for jars and bottles because it is a cost-effective and fast method to produce bulk quantities of items that are never touched until they are completed. The semi-automatic technique uses both manual and machine work. The equipment creates the mold while the human hand said in the more decorative design pieces. Also, the hand or mouth-blown packages are the most unique as glass artists put effort in to fine-tuning their glasswork.
Packaging materials are vast in the skincare supply chain. Products are baled, bagged, or bundled before they get to you, additional packaging is often needed. As such, you require optimization regarding how merchandise shifts across the chain to minimize these materials.
Work with your contract manufacturers to optimize your practices for the supply chain. A few things you should try are:
1. Properly predict demand to make sure you don’t overproduce products.
2. Consolidate shipments for using fewer packaging materials.
3. Urge your partner to use sustainable materials all through the process.
Opt for working with contract manufacturers who prioritizes sustainability. Do the research. Before agreeing with a private label skincare product brand, ask the manufacturer about the manufacturing practices.
Do they apply sustainable materials? What do they do to minimize their carbon and ecological footprint? Wherever possible, examine their facility to get a first-hand look at their equipment, supplies, etc. By observing these, you can make an informed decision on whether or not to work with them.
There are a plethora of ways to go green with sustainable packaging strategies while the right approach depends upon your business. Whether you use eco-friendly materials, switch up to eco-friendly skincare vendors, or optimize your process for the supply chain, you have to ensure that your sustainable packaging initiatives stick. The best way for that is to apply one strategy at a time, measure the outcomes, and then continue from there.
