As our awareness of the impact we are having on the planet increases, there is a growing need to develop sustainable and socially responsible practices in order to protect the Earth for future prosperity. For businesses, this means meeting the economic and functional needs of a company, while also attempting to preserve the environment for the future.
This not only serves to give a business peace of mind that they are doing the best they can for the world, it also makes them more attractive to customers. As consumers are becoming more concerned about the consequences of their lifestyle, they’re more likely to invest in products that offer them a more sustainable choice.
One way that many ‘green’ companies choose to improve their environmentally friendly credentials is through the use of eco-friendly packaging. This includes reducing the amount of packaging used, along with using biodegradable and recycled labels and materials. However, while such companies may feel they are making their offering more sustainable in this way, many go on to fall at another hurdle – by using standard stickers and labels. If all the packaging materials used aren’t environmentally friendly, then there’s little point in using them at all. The answer is to use eco-labels to complement your recycled boxes, bags, and envelopes.
Just like other environmentally friendly packaging, eco-labels are designed to be kind to the planet through the materials they are made from and how they can be disposed of. Their aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of your packaging, and are the ideal solution if your business aims to have socially responsible practices.
Labels can be made in a variety of ways in order to be classed as environmentally friendly. Most commonly, eco-labels are made from either recycled materials or biodegradable materials, or often even both. For example, those made from recycled paper and natural adhesives that will then naturally break down. Similarly, the labels may also be recyclable themselves.
Other forms of eco-label might be made from more sustainable materials than traditional labels. There are many ‘tree-free’ labels available that are instead made from plant-based paper, or film made from corn rather than petroleum. In these cases, the impact on the environment is much less than with traditional labels.
While you obviously want to be as cost-effective as possible when it comes to all aspects of your business, you don’t necessarily want to cut corners when it comes to environmentally friendly packaging. If you choose the cheapest product, it’s likely that you’re not actually getting what you’re paying for in terms of a genuinely sustainable product. Instead of relying on cheap prices, it’s worth the investment of offering your customers a truly environmentally friendly service.
