When it comes to saving the environment, the topics that come to mind are recycling, waste-control and repurposing materials. The Australian government has set targets to make all packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
70% with materials actually recycled and 30% with recycled content used. At UPD we believe in creating solutions that align with the goal of acheiving the world’s long term ecological balance.
Having close ties with China, we believe the recycling crisis triggered by the recent ban on waste import could have an upside. It can lead to better solutions for managing waste and thus encouraging manufacturers to make their products easily recyclable.
As humans we tend to play the blame game when it comes to doing the right thing. It is easy to point fingers when others are not using sustainable solutions while conducting business activities, but for the sake of the environment, it starts with each of us!
- Bio-based Alternatives
Bioplastic global production is said to increase by 18.8% from 2017-2022 as well as new product development (NPD) in biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions, due to companies recognizing it’s long-term cost effectiveness.
- The Era of Make-Use-Reuse
According to Dr.Michael Okoroafor, VP of global sustainability and packaging at McCormick, “The era of make-use-dispose is over. We are now in the era of make-use-reuse”. This is in line with the circular movement to ensure landfills are eventually a thing of the past.
- Consumer Preferences
The 2019 Global Food & Drink Trend analysis by Mintel revealed that when it comes to Australia, 32% of urban Australians prefer products that are sold in eco-friendly packaging and 34% prefer to buy products that are produced using sustainable sourcing methods.
- Paper over Plastic
The anti-plastic sentiment and the rising demand for recyclability have sparked a spike in paper and paperboard packaging. Paper is renewable, recyclable and compostable which appeals to the increasingly eco-conscious society.
Sustainable packaging is no longer a trend, but an expectation of consumers. In our dealings with customers, there is always a strong desire to use materials that are environment friendly. This could even mean reducing the size of the package, using fewer adhesives and optimum use of post-consumer recycled material.
Join us as we embark in this journey of sustainability, one box at a time!
– Rozanne Vaz, Marketing Assistant @ UPD
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