The 2021 Consumer: The Value of Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability: A packaging buzzword that is taking over the world. While sustainable packaging has always been a hot topic to discuss, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly expedited consumer behaviors and perceptions towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options globally. As companies pour money into switching their business models and packaging design to appear more environmentally friendly, are consumers buying it? Is the simple design of a recycled kraft paper tube truly setting companies apart from their competitors? How have consumers’ values changed over the past year, or even several years, to ensure your commitment to sustainable packaging is worth the financial investment?
June 04, 2021
Packaging and the Impact of COVID-19
2020’s global pandemic raised many concerns. Many industries have been influenced by the pandemic, one of which being the packaging industry. As many companies were looking towards more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options prior to COVID-19, the safety and well-being of consumers became the priority. In retail efforts to reduce the spread of the virus, businesses quickly gravitated from reusable packaging to disposable alternatives.
What consumers don’t see is how our supply chain has been dramatically affected by COVID-19. Bare shelves and depleted inventories have left companies struggling to get products back into stores. 2020 became survival mode for many businesses, as they had to do what was best and most cost-effective to ensure their products were back on shelves for immediate consumption, despite cost and disruption within the supply chain. Unfortunately, this meant placing sustainability on the back-burner and possibly reverting back to “old habits” by means of using single-use plastics.
Fortunately, there are positives to come from COVID-19. Our global pandemic has boosted consumer values and appreciation for personal hygiene, wellness, and food safety. As consumers continue to develop an awareness of sustainable and environmentally friendly options, they’re seeking brands that aim to cater to their new lifestyle. While consumers have always wanted quality products, the idea of quality has shifted. Consumers are now seeking and willing to pay for products by companies who are aligning their business values and products to coincide with their personal values and beliefs.
Agility, New Product Launches and Sustainability
As consumers continue to educate themselves on sustainable and environmentally friendly options, in order to stay competitive, brands must be agile and responsive to consumer demands. The ever-evolving role of packaging continues to be a talking point for businesses. Companies must develop a packaging option that not only protects the products while simultaneously ensuring that the packaging is sustainable and maybe even environmentally friendly. Ultimately, the packaging of a product is how companies communicate with consumers. Now, more so than ever, companies have a lot to consider when deciding on the packaging for their product:
Product packaging must:
- Protect the product within
- Market and promote the product
- Assist the consumer how to use the product correctly
- Assist in recycling and be a sustainable option, lessening environmental damage
While businesses may have planned to become more sustainable in the foreseeable future, COVID-19 and the rapid change in consumer attitudes and behaviors have caused many companies to quickly transition their products to adhere to the newly educated eco-conscious consumer. Thanks to COVID-19, not only are consumers seeking products that guarantee product protection, but their freshly heightened environmental values must also be a value of the brands they purchase.
Does Sustainability Mean Eco-Friendly?
Simply put, sustainability encompasses the term environmentally friendly. Many companies are working towards more sustainable options in order to assist in our global movement to protect our Earth and reduce the amount of resources used in production and consumption. Whereas “eco-friendly” isn’t as broad as sustainability as it pertains to something that isn’t harmful to the planet.
Consumers are looking for packaging that is:
- Compostable
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
Sustainable packaging options include plastic alternatives such as push-up kraft paperboard tubes, paper boxes, glass, fully recyclable plastic films and plastic bottles.
Eco-conscious consumers are willing to pay extra for sustainable packaging, which is why many companies are already switching gears towards ecological and sustainable packaging alternatives. As consumers continue to educate themselves in understanding the consequences of their behaviors, companies must continue to study consumer behaviors and be willing to invest and adapt their products to meet the eco-conscious consumer, while staying competitive within their industry.
How Can HB International Assist You?
Our business is entirely based around our customers. As you, our customer, continue to evolve your products and packaging towards more sustainable options to suit your customers’ needs, our responsibility is to ensure your investment towards sustainability is met through our high-quality suppliers and packaging experts.
Are you looking for a change? If you’re amidst a packaging makeover and looking for more sustainable options, our project managers are here to help you get started. HBI’s team is equipped with high-quality suppliers and a team of packaging experts that will take you through a step-by-step journey to deliver the highest quality of sustainable packaging that will exceed you and your customer’s expectations.
