In a time where environmental damage is a constant presence in the news, it is evident that big changes are having to be made by both businesses and individuals in order to be more environmentally-friendly. One industry which has faced a lot of criticism is the packing industry due to the heavy usage of plastics – this is all changing now as the industry makes big changes to go green.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets have faced a lot of criticism in recent times due to their usage of plastic as a packing material. This includes the packaging for their products as well as the use of plastic bags for consumers. Many supermarkets have now committed to reducing or eliminating plastic packaging and bringing in charges for each plastic bag and/or switching to paper bags. This encourages shoppers to bring their own bags to the store or to use an environmentally-friendly alternative.
Packing & Distribution
The packaging and distribution industry is another one which is undertaking large changes to reduce their carbon footprint and improve brand reputation. There are a number of ways that packaging and distribution can be more eco-conscious, including using environmentally-friendly alternatives, like recycled materials which are also cheaper. Using lighter/fewer materials can also help businesses to lower their shopping costs too.
Challenges
The difficulty that many businesses face, particularly when it comes to food packing, is that plastic is such an effective material and the best way to protect food. This means that there are still obstacles to overcome and it is not as simple as simply banning plastic. Businesses in the packing industry need to find ways to drastically reduce the amount of plastic that they are using and only use it where it is currently necessary. Fortunately, technological advances in the production of green packing materials are being made which will help businesses to phase out their use of plastics gradually.
Consumers
Of course, a large reason that these changes have come about is consumer demand as most consumers would now pay more for an item that does not use plastic packaging. This will drive further change and encourage packaging businesses to rethink their strategies. Consumers must also consider usage of plastics in their own life and find ways to reduce single-use plastic, such as switching to paper bags or not using plastic straws.
The packaging industry has faced a lot of criticism in recent times with so much attention being placed on plastic usage in the media. This has brought about a lot of positive change in the industry and consumer demands are changing, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done now and in the coming years to be more eco-conscious in this and other industries.
Article Submitted By Community Writer