Posted on 25th February 2020

Both the government and consumers are piling the pressure on companies to reduce their plastic consumption. With small businesses looking to increase their online sales, packaging is a significant area where they can be doing more to reduce the use of plastic.

A common frustration for consumers is the amount of packaging used to transport their purchases. Have you received a small product, packaged in a large box containing excessive amounts of plastic, non-recyclable filler? Not only does it strike you as wasteful, you need to consider whether to recycle it or just stick it in the bin. It’s rubbish, literally.

It seems not even online retail giants, Amazon, aren’t immune to scrutiny, with customers famously taking to social media to complain about their careless parcelling. While Amazon is undoubtedly large enough to weather the storm, and even turn this criticism to their benefit, smaller independents can’t afford to risk this kind of negative publicity.
Sainsbury’s supermarket has been down in the polls over the years for their lack of action in plastic packaging reduction. Recently, however, they’ve launched a campaign pledging a 50% reduction of their plastic packaging by 2025. This is a smart move by Sainsbury’s, dispelling their previous criticism and no doubt leaving their historically more eco-friendly rivals scratching their heads about how to launch a more enthralling and original initiative. Being proactive, rather than reactive, puts you in a much stronger position.

 

There’s a new generation of customers emerging who expect more than just value for money – and being eco friendly is at the top of the list. Make sure you consider this, as it could affect your business. Working towards quality assurance and ISO accreditation with reducing plastics could retain customers, attract new ones and tenders. 

 

Top Tips:

• Research greener packaging alternatives.

• Start small, but switch non-recyclable items first.

• Train your staff in reducing packaging and reuse where possible.

• Keep a range of box sizes in stock to accommodate the varying sizes of product.

• Add a clear reuse, recycle message on your packaging to encourage customers.

• Don’t overfill with filler – and make sure it’s biodegradable paper or card.

• Remember the less obvious packaging items like tape and labels.

• Consider offering your regular customers a packaging return/reuse service.

• Shout about it – Wear your eco-friendly policy as a badge of honour.

There are many packaging products on the market that you can change to have a significant positive environmental impact such as: boxes, tape, filler, pallet wrap, jiffy bags/tubes, strapping, wrapping, labels and tags. Speak to your packaging supplier about looking at cost effective, eco friendly alternatives. Make them aware that being environmentally friendly is important to you and your business, and that if you’re not satisfied you’ll need to look elsewhere.

If you’d like to share your experience of switching to plastic-free packaging or your business’ new approach to becoming environmentally friendly, please contact Sarah Revell on sarah.revell@troyuk.co.uk

Posted in Corporate news, Troy insights