Brand owners have always thought about how to manage the packaging system for their products. As 2021 progresses, there are pertinent and successful initiatives that satisfy the customers’ need for brands that respect the environment. The objective of brand owners to use sustainable packaging is still being driven by customers’ growing awareness. Approximately 74% of customers claim they would be prepared to pay more for items that come in environmentally friendly packaging (Jerelyn, 2021). However, customers are concerned about disposing of the packaging because it can pile up in their homes. It means that companies need to pay attention to this and switch to eco-friendlier packaging.
One of the best examples of sustainable packaging in 2021 is refillable parent packaging. Refillable container usage helps Zero Waste programs that focus on sustainable packaging. This program operates on a straightforward premise: containers can be filled themselves in the store, without spending money on packaging, which means the companies do not have to pay more for the packaging (Jerelyn, 2021). Products for cleaning and personal care are frequently accessible. Although the use of refillable containers lowers the costs of manufacture and delivery, the effectiveness of this system depends on a number of elements. This might include public acceptability, increased costs to the supply chain, and a plentiful supply of containers.
Another example of sustainable packaging is bulk dispenser refilling. More and more places of sale are beginning to put out vending machines, through which you can get goods in their own packaging, saving on the price of the product itself. In the most European countries, the tendency is escalating quickly (Jerelyn, 2021). Retailers are asked to bring their container and fill it full, according to the wholesalers.
There is also edible packaging that is becoming popular in the food industry. Edible packaging is accessible for use in commerce. Chitosan is the most effective natural substance for making edible packaging out of all of them. It is a polysaccharide that is abundant and has built-in antibacterial properties. Chitosan packaging is used because it may shield food from a variety of threats and is edible (Jerelyn, 2021). It acts as a physical barrier and keeps microorganisms from coming into touch with the meal. By preventing oxygen from reaching the microorganisms within the container, it also prevents them from breathing.
In addition, bioplastics are used to provide substantiality in the packaging of most products in 2021. Starch, proteins, and polylactic acid are just a few examples of the biodegradable, renewable materials used to make bioplastics (PLA). In recent years, the number of goods and providers has multiplied, and bioplastics are now widely employed in commercial marketplaces across the world (Boz et al., 2020). Of all the polymers used for packaging, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is considered one of the best types for packaging. (Wu et al., 2021). Although it is primarily made from feedstocks, bio-based alternatives can be used in place of some of the petroleum-based parts.
Thus it can be concluded that product development is a priority for any manufacturer, but do not forget about the production of packaging for the product. It has an advertising value, attracts the customer, and a grammatical approach to its production is one of the keys to the firm’s success. More and more people are paying attention to what kind of packaging is used for this product. In many respects, it is connected with the fact that the world is on the threshold of ecological discoveries, and the question of global warming is very sharp now. Therefore, the possibility of easy recycling of packaging opens up new opportunities for the sale of goods and their distribution. Now more and more often, it is possible to notice the refusal of packing of goods and the possibility of direct sale without the use of environmentally harmful materials, which will lead to a new development in the sphere of products and goods packaging, as well as the search for possible alternatives.
References
Boz, Z., Korhonen, V., & Koelsch Sand, C. (2020). Consumer considerations for the implementation of sustainable packaging: A review. Sustainability, 12(6), 2192.
Jerelyn, A. (2021). 7 Sustainable Packaging Trends for 2021. Packagingdigest.Com.
Wu, F., Misra, M., & Mohanty, A. K. (2021). Challenges and new opportunities on barrier performance of biodegradable polymers for sustainable packaging. Progress in Polymer Science, 117, 101395.