Category: Blog

5 Styrofoam Peanut Packing Alternatives

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Pressure is mounting on business owners to do away with plastic and non-biodegradable methods of packaging. While it was once socially acceptable to tip tonnes of non-recyclable Styrofoam peanuts into your delivery boxes, people today are quite rightly calling for a move towards sustainability.

Nevertheless, it can be difficult to know where to start when looking for viable alternatives to packing peanuts. So, here are the five best styrofoam peanut alternatives we believe business owners should trial packing their products in.

Avoid packing material completely

While this is an obvious one, many people feel that packing material is a necessity. However, by having the perfect sized boxes for your products, you can eliminate, or at least reduce the amount of packing material you need. You can purchase on-demand cardboard boxes which are made to fit the product you want to pack, so you don’t need excess packing material.

Alternatively, if you can’t afford to get your boxes personalised to fit your products, consider collecting waste paper and cardboard for shedding. Though it won’t look quite as smart, it will still be an effective packing mechanism, and you could even leave a little note in each of the boxes to customers detailing why you pack in this way – that way, if they are eco-conscious they will be aware about your companies caring, good nature and might buy from you again. Many people will appreciate this more than they will unnecessary packing peanuts exploding onto their kitchen floor.

Unbuttered Popcorn

Putting unbuttered popcorn into your boxes sounds like an odd thing to do. Since it isn’t a particularly well-known method either you might be worried about what your customers will think. However, it’s just as effective, often cheaper, and once again you can always leave a note explaining why you use popcorn to pack products.

The only drawback for using this method is that the popcorn is easily crushed and can become quite messy if the box is bashed around too much. You could always wrap your product in recycled paper first if you want to ensure no popcorn-dust collects on your product. This is especially important if you are packing any form of technology, where there are charging port nooks that you wouldn’t want dust to collect in.

Corn Starch

Corn starch packing peanuts are now widely used as an alternative – and it’s nearly identical to Styrofoam peanuts. These strong peanuts look and feel almost the same as Styrofoam and will keep your product safe.

Moreover, it is easy for your customer to dispose of them after they have unpacked their goods. Leave a note to let them know they can simply run them under cold water and watch them dissolve. They will appreciate this easy method of disposal and the space you have saved in their bins or recycling requirements.

Coconut Husk

Coconuts have innumerable benefits, both as a food and drink source and as a packing material. The husk of the coconut is not only incredibly strong, but the fibre it contains is also non-flammable. However, while that is fantastic for durable packaging, it can mean they are difficult to dispose of after their use.

Some companies have begun combing thermoplastic with the husk to make it compostable, too. Whichever option you choose though, you will be doing more good for the environment than you would have been using Styrofoam peanuts.

Sphagnum Peat Moss

The natural material, Peat Moss, will provide a springy protective layer around your product. It’s extremely adaptable since it mushes together easily so it will work with your product no matter its shape or size. You could either purchase this versatile plant in bulk, or you could make a name for yourself as an eco-company by growing it in-house.

There will be no need to worry about where it will go after its use either since it is a natural source of packaging. This means it is compostable and therefore it will be just as easy for your customers to dispose of it as the dissolvable corn-starch peanuts.

Business owners want to know that the alternatives will just as efficiently prevent damage to your product as the Styrofoam peanuts did. These alternatives will undoubtedly be just as capable. Moreover, though it might take your customers a little bit of getting used to, if you keep advertising the reason for your strange packaging solutions you may even become more memorable due to your whacky packing unique selling point

Custom Product Packaging: Why Should You Invest In 2018

Posted on by definitionconsulting

While standard packaging may seem quick, convenient and budget-friendly, custom product packaging could actually prove to be a vital investment for your business. With the increased demand for packaging in 2018 with the rise of e-commerce as well as the number of start-ups, many businesses have a limited budget, especially when it comes to packaging.

However, 2018 is the perfect time to invest in custom product packaging. While customised packaging may be a higher initial outlay, there are plenty of reasons to invest in custom product packaging, especially as it may well save you money in the long run.

Why should your business invest in custom product packaging?

 

  • Reduce returns

 

Wrongly sized packaging could cause products to break in transit. This will not only be costly for your business, but it will create a complicated reverse logistics process as well as giving customers a poor service experience. Having the right sized packaging for your products will limit the number of breakages, lower the cost of returns and damage. However, most importantly, it will ensure your customers are happy and reduce the risk of a negative experience.

Make sure to calculate the number of returns before and after you change packaging so you can see whether you have a valuable return on investment or whether you need to make further improvements.

 

  • Competitive advantage

 

With the rise of the internet, every company seems to compete in a global marketplace. This means there is even more competition to outshine. To do this, you need to show your business to be different in as many ways as possible. One of these ways is to think outside of the box when it comes to boxing up your products. Custom product packaging allows you to achieve a distinctive design that sets you apart from the rest of your competitors.

It may be worthwhile conducting market research for your competitors to find out how they package items and whether you can design a better packaging system that will help to differentiate your brand for all of the right reasons.

 

  • User experience

 

Businesses should consider user experience in every aspect of the sales journey. From browsing online to receiving the product, how the user interacts with your brand is critical for the overall success of the business. You should think about the user experience when it comes to packaging too. For example, is the packaging discreet or bold to suit the customer? Is it safe but also easy to open? Does the packaging have any secondary use or is it eco-friendly?

If you want users to become brand ambassadors and promote your business, then there has never been a better time to invest in custom product packaging to meet customer needs. Use your customer demographics wisely to make sure you create custom packaging that works for them.

 

  • Reduce waste

 

In 2018, there is a growing concern for the environment with more and more people taking a stand against waste and unnecessary product packaging. Before your business becomes a social media sensation for using too much packaging for your products, start to create custom product packaging that reduces waste and is kinder to the planet. Demand is growing for environmentally friendly packaging. As well as eliminating any excess waste, also consider the materials you use and whether your packaging can be reused or recycled.

Reducing waste packaging will not only impress your customers, but it may also save you money too as you will no longer need to purchase filler material and you will only use the material you need.

 

  • Make a great first impression

 

When a customer receives a package, it is like a gift. People love to unbox items and the moment should be special for consumers. There is even a rise in ‘unboxing videos’ on YouTube. With your custom product packaging, you have the chance to make an excellent and memorable first impression for your customers.

Custom packaging will show your customer exactly what your brand is about. An unusual packaging design will confirm that your brand is innovative, while eco-friendly packaging will demonstrate your principles as a business. Whatever you want your brand to portray, custom product packaging is an excellent way to get your message across.

The experience you create will turn first-time buyers into repeat purchased and repeat buyers into lifelong, loyal customers. While your packaging may not seem significant, it could be the difference between a client choosing you over a competitor.

4 Reasons Why Corrugated Board Is The Answer To The Plastic Problem

Posted on by definitionconsulting

It is estimated that eight million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the oceans every single year. With marine life threatened as well as seabirds, with their inadvertent consumption of plastic, it is no surprise that there has been a sharp increase in concern lately. More and more people are becoming worried about the threat of plastic and the environmental devastation that plastic is causing.

With demand for the reduction in plastic growing, consumers are desperate for businesses to come up with better ways to package products. However, what is the solution when almost all packaging seems to use plastic in some form? Well, surprisingly, corrugated board may be the answer to the plastic problem that the world is facing. Here are just four of the reasons why.

Four reasons why corrugated board is the answer to the plastic problem

 

  • Food packaging

 

Plastic is prevalent in supermarkets where lots of food are wrapped or stored in plastic containers for customer convenience. When it comes to fresh food, plastic can help to provide a stable base for the food to prevent damage; it can also help to make it easier when shipping and transporting goods. However, corrugated cardboard can offer the same benefits without the burden of adding more plastic to the environment.

Corrugated board is stable and provides a secure base for food and well as being easy to carry, transport and ship. Lots of fruit suppliers already use corrugated card for this reason. However, corrugated card can be used for a range of different food items. Especially as corrugated board can help to keep moisture away from products, which can increase their lifespan and ensure foods can withstand a long shipping journey.

As corrugated board is incredibly versatile with different thicknesses, shapes and sizes, it makes it incredibly versatile for a range of food items. This means customers can avoid unnecessary plastic when loading up their trolleys.

 

  • Custom creations

 

Plastic is often chosen for packaging as it can be moulded into a range of shapes to suit a range of products. However, corrugated board is just as versatile and customisable. The thickness of corrugated cardboard can be altered to suit different products while the fact it can be cut to any size and create a range of shapes mean it is easy to create a bespoke packaging container using cardboard alone.

What’s more, the corrugated board can receive a range of treatment and coating to help bolster the strength and versatility of the packaging. For safety, corrugated cardboard can be coated with a waterproof material as well as flame resistant material to make it an ideal packaging choice for a range of different industries.

Cardboard can then be printed using digital and screen printing to create a vibrant design for your packaging. This can help you to increase visibility for your brand, become a powerful marketing method and ensure your products and packaging stand out from the crowd. While plastic can also be customised, the fact that you can print directly onto corrugated board means it is cheaper, quicker and more convenient to produce.

 

  • Sustainability

 

Corrugated board can be made from 100% recycled material. Furthermore, it can be completely recycled after use. As well as being recycled, corrugated board is strong enough to be reused many times. In most cases, corrugated cardboard can be folded down flat for storage and then be used again when it is needed.

With sustainability at the forefront of people’s minds, it has never been so important to promote greener materials, products and packaging. With more and more people wanting to veer away from non-degradable plastic, the corrugated board provides the perfect sustainable packaging alternative to plastic.

By printing messages directly onto the cardboard, you can make it clear to customers how sustainable your packaging is and how they can dispose of your packaging after use.

 

  • Cost-effective

 

Corrugated board can be a cost-effective packaging solution for many businesses. Firstly, corrugated cardboard is relatively cheap to produce and budget-friendly to purchase. Secondly, it is lightweight for packaging which may help to lower the total weight of products when shipping. This means that you can achieve savings in shipping costs, whether you use a third-party supplier or by saving money on the fuel used to transport goods.

Furthermore, corrugated cardboard can be shaped to fit custom product sizes, which means you can save space when shipping, helping you to send more items for the same cost which will help your bottom line.

Why Are Manufacturers Using Custom Boxes For Products?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

With so many competitors, it can be hard to stand out in your field, especially when your product has lots of similar competition.

Your brand needs to be unique and stand out for all the right reasons. One of the best ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors is through your packaging. Custom boxes are an excellent way to break from tradition and give your product a fresh and exciting look. However, there are many reasons why manufacturers are thinking out of the box with their custom boxes for products.

Seven reasons why manufacturers are using custom boxes for products

  • Extra protection

Traditional boxes sizes may mean there are gaps and spaces around the product. This could result in damage and make transportation difficult due to the weight distribution. With custom boxes, you have a box that is the perfect shape for the product so that it fits snugly inside.

  • No need for box filler

As custom boxed can ensure your product fits inside snugly, you do not need to use packaging filler in the box. This can save you money as you no longer need to keep box filler in stock, but it’ll also save your space on your production line too. Furthermore, the time it takes for packaging will decrease, and productivity of workers will increase too.

Reducing the requirement for box filler will also help to cut waste, helping you to become more eco-friendly and sustainable as a business.

  • Branding

In a fiercely competitive market, you need to stand out. Custom boxes allow you to position yourself in the market and stand out. Custom boxes will enable customers to pick out your product with ease. By having custom boxes, you show that you are an established company who has put thought and attention into the product and the packaging. It can help to bolster your reputation and shows your integrity. Custom boxes can even instil customer trust with your brand.

  • Presentation

Without a doubt, a custom box can work wonders for the presentation of your product. By putting thought, attention and creativity into the design and shape of the box, you will have a product that is packaged beautifully. The power of presentation helps to boost the first impression and can then be reused in the future. With eco-conscious customers, the fact that they can reuse your packaging may help to increase your sales.

  • Eco-friendly

With custom boxes, you can ensure they are made from recycled material and that they are fully recyclable in the future. Furthermore, custom boxes can fit your product, which can help to eliminate the need for wasteful material. With a focus on reducing waste and going greener, your custom box design can help to show your committed to Corporate Social Responsibility and show that your brand cares about the environment.

  • Automation

An increase in packaging technology has made it much easier for the production of custom boxes. With machinery able to create bespoke boxes for every product, it has made it much easier for firms to adopt custom boxes for all of their products. Furthermore, an increase in automation means it is easy to handle reverse logistics. If you have returns in damaged packaging, you can simply switch the product into a custom box and be able to resell the product right away.

  • Save money

Custom boxes can help your brand to save a considerable amount of money. Firstly, custom boxes are designed to fit, meaning you are saving money on the amount of packaging material you need, as well as a filler. Secondly, the ideal box size will reduce the risk of damage to the product, which means less costly returns and refunds.

As well as this, having custom boxes can help to reduce your logistics costs. Reducing the size of boxes can help to increase the number of products that you can distribute via freight as well as assisting with the amount of fuel you use. It can also help reduce the postage and shipping costs if you use a logistics provider.

With a custom box, your business can save money, increase productivity, further automation and reduce waste and storage of packaging. As well as this the customers benefit from stand-out packaging that reduces waste and makes it easy to recycle or dispose of. Retailers are also happy as your products will look inviting and unique which can liven up their shelves.

Is it time your business opted for custom boxes for your packaging needs?

Six Reasons For Using Cardboard Product Packaging

Posted on by definitionconsulting

For businesses who have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) high on their agenda, it is time to evaluate every process to help find more eco-friendly methods.

However, maintaining strict budget requirements and being greener can be difficult. Fortunately, cardboard product packaging can help you to offer a more environmentally friendly solution with a whole host of benefits.

Say goodbye to plastic and hello to cardboard product packaging with six reasons why you should be using cardboard for your product packaging.

Six reasons to use cardboard product packaging

  • The war on plastic

As e-commerce grew, so did the use of plastic. Plastic is a cheap and versatile product packaging, but it is also wreaking havoc on the environment. Plastic packaging adds to our single-use throwaway culture. In fact, 50% of the plastic we use is single use. Furthermore, we throw away enough plastic every year to circle the earth four times.

Plastic is not just causing significant problems for the environment; it is also found that plastic chemicals are being absorbed by the body, which could pose severe health risks. It is no surprise with all the terrifying statistics about packaging that consumers are becoming more aware of the consequences of plastic.

Many consumers will actively seek out brands that do not use single-use plastic or plastic at all. By making the change from plastic to cardboard, you will not only be helping the environment by choosing a recyclable, degradable form of packaging, but your customers will be happier too.

Furthermore, recycled cardboard is a growing trend. Experts predict that recycled cardboard will be the next in-demand product for most packaging needs due to its versatility and eco-friendly nature. Added to this is the fact that many countries are now taxing plastic products and we may soon find a ban on plastic packaging as a whole.

  • Flexibility and versatility

With cardboard product packaging you have a blank canvas to create innovative packaging designs to fit and shapes and sizes necessary. Custom cardboard packaging is easy to acquire, and there are now machines that will automate your packaging needs by creating the right size boxes to fit the products you need. Automated cardboard packaging machinery is a significant help for businesses who ship a wide variety of products of all shapes and sizes.

The versatility of cardboard means you have the chance to be as inventive or as ordinary as you like. Boxes can be made to fit all sizes and shapes. However, you can think outside of the box and design cardboard packaging that is bespoke for your product too. If you are worried that your product won’t stand out among a sea of cardboard boxes, create a shape that is distinctive and even more practical.

  • Cost

When considering packaging for your products, it requires a careful cost analysis. You need packaging that is safe enough to reduce the number of damages and return but is also cost-effective enough to improve your bottom line. The right packaging is critical for your balance sheet. Spend too much, and your profit will suffer. Spend too little, and you may receive bad feedback for damaged items.

In many cases, recycled cardboard will cost less than plastic packaging. Furthermore, as cardboard is lightweight and you can alter the size to suit your product, you can save money on shipping too. If you have the space available, then recycled cardboard is easy to store and buying in bulk will usually ensure a cheaper rate also.

As well as this, there will be a low cost of damaged returns and cardboard is a safe and durable packaging material, designed to keep your products safe and damage-free.

  • Customer ease

Cardboard product packaging should be designed with the customer in mind. It needs to be easy for the customer to carry and handle while also being convenient, easy to use and mean little hassle for disposal. As cardboard is a very light material, it makes it easy to transport. This is ideal for saving money on logistics bit also handy for your customers too.

With cardboard, it is easy to add manual handling aids such as handles of holes. Your product packaging should be designed for customers to make it easy for them to pick it up. After all, they are more likely to purchase if it makes life easier for them. It is worth bearing in mind that if you offer a carrying mechanism, make sure it is robust and durable enough for the weight of the product. Flimsy plastic carrier bags frustrate customers when they break, make sure your product stays secure, and your packaging remains easy to hold.

Finally, after the customer has opened their packaging, disposal needs to be as easy as possible. Fortunately, recycled cardboard can be recycled with ease. If your cardboard packaging is large, it may be worth having some fold lines or perforated edges to help the customer fold and dispose of the packaging with minimal effort.

  • Branding

One of the most significant benefits of cardboard packaging is its ability for branding.

You can easily print and coat cardboard for branding needs, without limiting its recycling ability. Printing on cardboard is easy and cheap to do making it easy for your product and product packaging to stand out and get noticed.

As cardboard packaging technology has progressed, combined with computer-aided design technology, it is now easy to get your perfectly branding packaging through an automated system. This means that personalised branded cardboard is now much more affordable and accessible for businesses of every size.

While designing your branding for cardboard, it is important to be unique and stand out from your competitors, but it is also essential to think about the environment. There is no point using cardboard as an eco-friendly alternative if your additional branding or plastic coating renders it unable to be recycled. With environmental-conscious customers, you will need to think carefully about how to produce the most eco-friendly packaging that still delivers your brand message.

  • Reuse

Cardboard is an excellent material for product packaging because of its reuse-ability. A strong and sturdy box will no doubt come in handy for storage or transportation at a later date. You can also offer your customers ideas on how to reuse their cardboard packaging to make the most out of it before recycling.

Reuse ideas could include a magazine box or paper file store. With a linen liner, a generic cardboard box can be transformed into a laundry basket, stylish storage box or the ideal play box for children, especially if they have a hand in designing it and decorating it themselves. Cardboard can even be repurposed as a shelf (albeit not for heavy items) or an organiser for messy desks.

Other reuse ideas include a desk organiser, complete with drawers and multiple sections for the most creative reusers. Some may choose to reuse their cardboard box by creating a vanity unit or cosmetic tidy.  With lots of cardboard, the possibilities of repurposing are endless. For more robust pieces you simply need to add more layers of cardboard while thinner cardboard is ideal for flexible shapes.

Some brands even offer their cardboard packaging as seed trays as they compose in the ground. When you think about how to repurpose your cardboard packaging, think of your target audience and what they are most likely to benefit from after the packaging use is over. It can also be an excellent way to encourage social media engagement too.

How Much Paper Comes From One Tree?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Many businesses are trying to achieve the goal of a paperless office.

While this effort is driven by the desire to reduce the clutter associated with paper documents, it’s also an opportunity to make choices that positively impact our environment. By embracing sustainable paper practices, we can help to save the number of trees from being felled, but just how much paper comes from one tree? And how many trees can we save by limiting our paper usage?

Can we accurately work out how much paper comes from one tree?

Paper manufacturing uses a mix of different tree types.

While the majority of paper is made from pine trees, often other trees are used to create the pulp that will then become a sheet of paper. As well as the different types of trees used, another consideration is the fact that trees will always vary in the size and shape. Some trees will be tall with thin trunks while others may be shorter and wider. Of course, trees will always vary depending on their age, environment and type of tree.

How much paper comes from one tree, on average?

It is estimated that a standard pine tree, with 45ft of the usable trunk and a diameter of eight inches, will produce around 10,000 sheets of paper. To consider this in another way, one ream of paper (which is 500 sheets) will use 5% of a tree.

Estimating the size and type of trees for paper creation is just the beginning. Other factors, such as paper quality and thickness, influence the amount of wood pulp required. Notably, the combination of recycled material within the pulp further refines the environmental impact.

In the last 40 years, paper usage has surged by 400%, resulting in the daily felling of over two million trees to meet global paper consumption needs.

Recycled Paper: The Green Alternative

Recycled paper is often referred to as the best option in relation to sustainability. Choosing recycled paper significantly reduces the demand for virgin pulp, which in turn helps conserve forests. In fact, it takes substantially less energy and water to produce recycled paper compared to virgin paper.

The Positive Influence of Sustainable Practices

To futureproof our environment and supply chain, organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) play an important role. FSC ensures the sustainable management of forests, guaranteeing that every tree used is replaced. This commitment not only supports responsible paper production but also ensures the longevity of our forests for years to come.

By making greener choices today, businesses are not only contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, but they are also actively participating in the preservation of our precious forests.

 

At Ribble we use 100% recyclable, environmentally sustainable packaging. Get in touch if you want more information on how your packaging can be more sustainable.

Bad Packaging: When Companies Get It Really Wrong

Posted on by definitionconsulting

When it comes to packaging, consumers get to enjoy really innovative designs but also struggle with impossible and seemingly inconceivable bad packaging ideas. Packaging is there to protect items, promote the brand and generally make like easier, ideally in an environmentally friendly way.

We see the use of intelligent packaging materials and packaging that has a secondary purpose as well as enjoying recyclable packaging. However, what about the times where manufacturers have got it badly wrong?

What constitutes bad packaging?

  1. Unnecessary
  2. Waste of material
  3. Misses the point
  4. Poor design
  5. Bad branding
  6. Mistakes, translation and grammatical errors
  7. Bad/unfortunate positioning
  8. Not recyclable
  9. Does not protect the product
  10. Does not serve a purpose.

We have all been infuriated by bad packaging in one form or another, here are just a few examples of bad packaging frustrations.

Truly terrible bad packaging

When buying scissors or a knife, it is impossible to cut the rigid plastic case to access the product without scissors or a knife. If you buy a product designed to open the annoying plastic packaging we face, would it not be smart to make the packaging opening product easier to access?

There have been so many cases where tough to open plastic packaging has broken scissors, so when you purchase a replacement pair, manufacturers would save plenty of stress by using packaging that is easier to open. The irony is not lost when buying scissors, and the instructions tell you to cut on the dotted line or tab to open.

  • Doorstep sandwich box

As consumers we understand, why choose a thin, supermarket on-the-go sandwich when you can select chunky doorstep bread with a deep sandwich filling? However, consumers, do not need the sandwich to actually be packaged to look like a doorstep in order to know what it is. Instead of wasting more packaging than necessary, a simple label may have sufficed.

 

The great thing about nature is that it comes up with its own ingenious packaging solutions. The humble banana, for example, has a thick protective skin which means the fruit stays damage free and tasty when it comes to eating. What’s more, the packaging is biodegradable meaning no impact to the environment, unless it is slipping on a banana skin humour.

With this in mind, it makes us question why Del Monte decided that wrapping individual bananas in plastic was a good idea. They claim that their wasteful use of packaging was to be a ‘green initiative’ to make picking a healthy snack easier when on the go. We think a typical banana does its job perfectly.

Just like the banana, the avocado does a great job of providing its own packaging. Considering that it takes only a few seconds to cut an avocado in half, it seems unfathomable that companies would individually wrap avocado halves in shrink-wrap plastic packaging and then encase two halves within a cardboard box to waste yet more packaging.

Not to mention that buying pre-cut packaged avocado halves is more expensive than purchasing an avocado as a whole. If you only want to use half an avocado, then leave the stone in place and sprinkle with lemon juice to keep it fresh, without needing plastic.

While having individual packages may be handy, they are only useful when they are small and fit the product. Zyrtec have a huge plastic container to contain five individually wrapped tablets. However, the individual sachets are ten times the size of the actual product. So much wasteful packaging, we do not know where to begin.

Ever-present in the technology industry is the draw of small products and micro sizes. So why do small products need such big packaging? Usually, USB drives and memory cards are encased in a little plastic shell; they do not need extensive cardboard backing and a plastic case as well. Furthermore, this plastic case is usually one of the hardest aspects to open. People have reported accidentally stabbing themselves and breaking scissors in an attempt to get through the rigid plastic package.

  • Packaging that leads to disappointment

Can’t wait to tuck into that big bag of crisps, sweets, nuts or popcorn? How disappointing once you open the packet, the air whooshes out, and you are left with at least half of an empty bag. Big packaging can be misleading for customers. Packaging can make us believe we are getting good value for money. Alternatively, packaging can lead us to have an expectation of the product inside the protective box or bag. However, sometimes over exaggerated packaging can dash our hopes and disappoint us.

It is worth noting that there is a requirement for a certain amount of air in crisps packaging to prevent the snacks from being crushed. However, the packaging also poses a problem as crisp packets (especially the foil layer variety) cannot often be recycled.

So, the next time you grab a jumbo-sized product because you think it is good value, check the weight or description to see if it will actually live up to the mark. In the meantime, we hope packaging companies will cut their costs and reduce their packaging sizes.

With a solid shell, it is hard to imagine that a coconut needs any more protection. However, companies providing coconut juice fresh from the coconut had added a straw and pull top for ease. Added to that, they have then wrapped the coconut in plastic film and added a cardboard base so that the coconut has stability on the shelf.

This excessive packaging became a viral sensation and caused outrage for its wastefulness. One company responded by saying that the plastic film is vital for keeping the freshness and maintaining the green flesh to prolong their shelf life.

We have all had an online delivery where it feels like we play a game of pass the parcel. Opening one large box only to find shredded paper, polystyrene packing peanuts, the uncover another box and then another one until you actually discover the product you were looking for.

With excessive waste filling the recycling bin, it angers many consumers. In fact, many customers campaign for businesses to use less packaging where possible and where relevant, eliminate packaging altogether. Some delivery companies now ship products without packaging and just use a simple address label.

  • Cosmetic products

Lots of cosmetic products use their packaging to appear more exclusive and high-quality. However, a glass or plastic containers already uses a high amount of packaging. This is increased when the jars are then placed in cardboard boxes and then wrapped in plastic. For products with such as a small volume, the amount of packaging often weighs and costs more than the product itself.

The packaging also comes into consideration when the products are transported. With excessive weight from bulky packaging and increased volume, it can create significant emissions through the logistics process.

  • Sushi packaging

Grabbing an on-the-go sushi box for a lunchtime treat may mean spending most of your lunch break unwrapping each item before you run out of time to eat it. Sushi boxes will have chopsticks, wrapped in a paper packet, a plastic sauce container, sachets to season your meal to taste. The outer packaging itself is often wasteful because it is moulded plastic, using more plastic, to separate each section.

As a side dish, you may opt for a convenient fruit snack, such as pineapple fingers, apple slices or grapes all in individually sealed plastic bags that many of us forget to check whether they are recyclable and dispose of it correctly. Remember, many packaging options such as pizza boxes cannot be recycled if they have food contamination.

Seven Ways Wasteful Packaging Is Hurting Our Environment

Posted on by definitionconsulting

While many consumers are more environmentally conscious, there is still a lack of recycling.

In the UK in just one year, only 17% of the total waste was recycled. Recycling is essential; it can help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill.

Many people want to contribute to reducing waste, in fact, 90% of people say they would recycle more if it is easier. However, would it be easier to recover and reduce the amount of waste if there was less packaging in society?

Excessive packaging is seen daily across the world.

Food products considered gourmet might have three different types of packaging to add to its luxury feel. While seven million takeaway coffee cups are thrown away every day and 38.5 million bottles of water are consumed and thrown away without a thought. As a society, we become almost blind to the amount of wasteful packaging because it is so apparent in daily life. However, it is dramatically affecting our environment in many different ways.

Here are just seven of the ways that wasteful packaging is damaging our environment.

Seven ways wasteful packaging affects our environment

  • Litter

In terms of the total waste, litter is only on a small scale, with a small percentage of packaging waste accumulating as litter. However, litter is a major concern for many people. Wasteful packaging such as food and beverage containers make up the third most abundant component of litter. Packaging sits behind cigarettes and food for the highest amount of litter.

While many people complain about the litter because it is unsightly, it can actually be a health hazard to humans too. Broken glass, for example, can cause injuries while excessive cardboard packaging can be a fire hazard (the risk is heightened when you consider the main proportion of litter are cigarette butts).

Litter can also attract vermin which then creates a breeding ground for bacteria which can threaten public health as well as risk the health of pets and wildlife too. Wasteful packaging as litter can also lead to clogged storm drains and can even increase algal blooms in water which can, therefore, affect the water quality impacting aquatic life and wildlife which use the water.

Not only is litter damaging the environment, but a great deal of money is spent combatting the litter problem. With less packaging, this money could be better spent developing recycling schemes which can reduce waste and lower the amount of litter too.

  • Air pollution

Air pollution can be caused by two major concerns dust and dry particles which hang in the air and fumes such as smoke, gases and vapours. Excess and wasteful packaging can contribute to air pollution in a variety of ways. For example, wasteful packaging leads to more waste incineration activities. This type of processing leads to the production of harmful gases which infiltrate the environment. These gases include vinyl chloride, CFCs and hexane.

The electricity use and transportation emission of excessive packaging also contribute to the increasing air pollution problem. Another aspect of air pollution from packaging is through landfill sites. As material decomposes in landfill sites, the decomposition process can release carbon dioxide and methane gas which can contribute to the global warming effect.

  • Birdlife

Worryingly, plastic kills over one million marine birds every single year. Birds ingest plastic packaging both directly and through the food chain. Birds can also be killed or injured by plastic packaging by getting caught up or tangled up in plastic. This is prominent with plastic can holders and six-pack rings.

Unfortunately, the excessive amount of plastic in the environment is having a severe and detrimental impact on bird life.  In fact, plastic wastage is now found in over 90% of seabirds due to the amount of plastic waste in the oceans. Furthermore, plastic is a contributing factor to the fact there has been a 67% decline in seabird populations in the last sixty years.

Another frightening statistic of how much damage plastic is causing to the birdlife is that 40% of Laysan Albatross chicks die before flying the nest. The reasons for the 40% mortality rating is the fact that their stomachs are filled with harmful plastic waste. Albatrosses are more likely to be affected by plastic packaging due to the way they hunt. An albatross will skim their beak across the surface of the water to catch fish and will often ingest plastic that is floating in the process.

  • Landfill space

In 2017, the UK generated 9.3 million tonnes of packaging waste. Unfortunately, many types of packaging take a long time to degrade. For example, plastic bags and Styrofoam cups will take from 500 years to forever to degrade. Glass bottles take up to 1 million years to degrade, and aluminium and tin cans can take up to 100 years to degrade.

With this in mind, the UK is rapidly running out of landfill space. Creating landfill areas has not been a priority for the UK as they have been making the most of the European energy-from-waste initiatives. However, as Britain leaves the EU, it remains doubtful whether the UK can still utilise these schemes. In fact, it is believed that by 2020 there will only be 50 landfill sites left in the whole country.

  • Sealife

The ingestion of plastic can be fatal for sea life. In fact, 100,000 marine animals die as a result of waste pollution every single year. A Sei whale was killed because of a laceration in the stomach caused by a plastic DVD case. A sperm whale died in Spain because of an intestinal blockage caused by 37 pounds of plastic from 59 pieces of wasteful packaging.

Plastic bags can also be incredibly harmful as they can look like jellyfish to the unsuspecting turtle. Sadly, there have been 693 different marine species that have been found to have ingested or become entangled with plastic waste in the ocean.

  • Water pollution

The production of packaging can have a high water use as well as causing water pollution. To create just one plastic water bottle takes three bottles of water as well as a quarter of a bottle of oil. It is not just water bottles that use a high amount of water, many packaging production methods use a high volume of water, wasting precious water resources.

Plastic pellets used in packaging can also affect the water. The pellets release toxic chemicals which can leach into the water. Research has found that the concentration of toxic chemicals in the pellets becomes a million times higher when in water.

  • Loss of species

Landfills are a result of a high amount of wasteful packaging and can be incredibly dangerous to the environment. Landfills not only release large amounts of methane and other toxic chemicals which can contribute to global warming, but they can also result in a loss of species.

Research has shown that between 30 and 300 species are lost per hectare of landfill site which can significantly impact the biodiversity of our planet.

Landfills also have a damaging effect with waste materials leaching toxic chemicals which leads to groundwater pollution. Furthermore, it can reduce the soil quality and fertility which can mean that plants cannot grow or thrive in the area, effectively wasting the environment and playing a key role in the food chain.

 

How To Get Rid Of Void Fillers Packaging In Your Business

Posted on by definitionconsulting

For manufacturers, businesses and customers across the globe, void fillers packaging is one of the biggest irritations.

Void fillers packaging can help to protect products and can serve as a vital armour for logistic problems that can affect products such as dropping, shaking, impact, crushing and shock. However, there are many negatives associated with void fillers too.

What is void filler packaging?

Void filler packaging is the added material that is used to fill any empty spaces in packaging to help protect a product. Void filler effectively fills in any gaps in boxes and packaging to help keep the product in its place and to stop it moving. The protection can also help the product during transport.

There are many different types of void fillers packaging, some of the most common materials used for void fill include;

  • Cardboard strips
  • Board honeycomb
  • Polystyrene pieces
  • Paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Shredding
  • Packing peanuts
  • Airbags.

The problem with void fillers packaging

1. Expense

One of the main issues with void packaging is the additional expense that it brings. Void filler means that you are using packaging that is too big. Your business is, therefore, paying unnecessary postage or logistics costs to transport empty space. Furthermore, you are not only paying for the privilege of shipping empty space, but you are also paying for the void filler material itself.

2. Time-wasting

Filling packaging with void filler is a task which takes valuable time. In fact, staff could be using the time with wasteful void filler by packing more products into better packaging solutions. With the right packaging, you do not need to fill spaces in boxes and packages. This time spent ensuring that there is adequate filler protecting the product could be spent so much better.

In fact, with the right packaging for your product, you can reduce the packaging and fulfilment time. You can then, therefore, increase your delivery cycles and better utilise staff time for value-adding activities rather than non-value adding activities such as void filling.

3. Space utilisation

Another irritation of void filler is the use of your valuable space on your premises. Often void filler packaging can take up premium warehouse space that could be utilised for storage of products, machinery or other profit-making activities. Often void filler is large and cumbersome, making it difficult to store, especially when it is needed close to hand for packaging on the process line.

4. Environmentally-unfriendly

Void fillers packaging will significantly lower your green credentials as a business. Using excess cardboard which needs recycling and process or harmful plastic which is often not recycled can be damaging to the environment.

Many consumers will not know how to process void fillers, which means they may not be recycled. Regardless of whether you are using recyclable materials or not, the fact is that you may still be wasting material which is unnecessary and does not showcase a business as being eco-friendly.

How to reduce void filler

1. Choose the right-sized packaging

Instead of choosing a generic box or envelope to pack your products into, consider offering a range of packaging sizes to suit your product needs better. It can be much more efficient to use the right sized packaging rather than a generic box and adding the necessary void fill to reduce the space.

Using right size techniques which give you the right sized box for every product can be a significant cost-saving investment for your business. Alternatively, taking the time to find a more suitable sized package may be worthwhile.

2. Seal boxes correctly

By sealing products with strong materials such as pressure sensitive tape, you can significantly enhance the strength of the packaging as well as its stability. By sealing products, you help to protect them from harmful conditions such as moisture and odour. Furthermore, it can help with the balance when the product is in transit, assisting the package to maintain its shape and reducing the risk of crushing and compression.

3. Test your packaging

If you feel void fillers are inevitable, then you may still be able to reduce the amount you need. It is worthwhile conducting a range of ‘stress’ tests with your products to see how they fare and therefore work out what is the optimal packaging that you need. It may surprise you to find that your product is just as protected without void filler as it is with it. By checking your products and packaging in a variety of situations, you can then standardise your packaging process which can help you to save money and become more efficient.

Why The World Needs Us To Move To Custom Product Packaging

Posted on by definitionconsulting

For every business, having the right packaging is essential.

Your packaging is often the first impression that customers have of your business and it needs to count. Packaging should not only be practical but it also needs to add value, while it can protect your product from damage, it can also help to sell your brand.

Custom product packaging is a highly effective way to not only improve customer experience but your brand reputation as well. In fact, there are many reasons why businesses should move to custom product packaging for their products, here we have analysed some of the best reasons why you should make the change to customised packaging.

Five reasons to use custom product packaging

  • Brand awareness

Having customised packaging can help to get your brand noticed. By introducing a unique box that precisely fits the shape of your product to printed packaging which helps to market your business, custom product packaging can help to get your business noticed.

Tailored packaging can quickly become distinctive. For example, although Amazon has a very low-key packaging type. However, their brown boxes and envelopes with signature tape and printed logo make the parcels instantly recognisable.

  • Environment impact

Instead of using a one-size-fits-all packaging, a custom-sized package can significantly reduce the impact on the environment. For a start, custom packaging cuts wastage as you can tailor it to the size of your product. You also reduce the amount of filler product used which again reduces the waste of resources.

Customised packaging can also be eco-friendly, such as the recycled cardboard used by Ribble in our Right Size packaging solution. By choosing environmentally-friendly product packaging, you can show your customers that you have a commitment to saving the planet. You may even decide to make a pledge to go plastic-free to reduce the harm that your custom packaging has on the earth.

  • Reduce returns

It makes sense that the right-sized packaging for your product will help to keep the item secured and steady while in transit which reduces the risk of damage to the product. This is particularly pertinent for businesses that ship fragile, high-value goods.

Tailored packaging can help to keep the item safe and in perfect condition so that the object arrives safely. This not only improves customer satisfaction, reduces the administration and reverse logistics associated with returning items, it also can help to improve your bottom line too.

  • Cut transportation costs

The costs of shipping can be significant for your business. However, by using the right-sized packaging for your products, you can reduce the amount of space your products need while in transport, which can significantly cut costs. Whether you pile products onto a lorry for shipping or utilise a logistics company, the weight and size of your product will impact your costs.

By reducing the size of the packaging, you are able to fit more products on the necessary transportation which can allow you to transport more or cut your costs whether you use your own transportation or use a logistics provider.

  • Shrink your carbon footprint

Another benefit of using custom product packaging is the ability to shrink your carbon footprint. You can lessen your carbon impact by using less packaging which reduces the amount your business need which, in turn, reduces the energy required to produce the packaging.

As products have only the necessary packaging that they need, it can also help to reduce the weight while in transportation which can cut your fuel consumption and size of transportation required which can all contribute to lowering your carbon footprint.

Create custom product packaging with Ribble

The team at Ribble are committed to lowering the cost of packaging for business and being kind to the planet. As standard, all of the packaging products that we supply are fully recycled. Furthermore, your customers will be able to recover them easy once finished as a packaging function as all of our cardboard is fully recyclable too.

Using our innovative Right Size solution, you can create customised packaging to suit the exact size of your product. Furthermore, our on-demand box making machine can change for each product or be used for batch production. With Ribble Automate, you can create the exact sized box that you need helping your business to lower packaging costs as well as your impact on the environment.

To find out more about our innovative on-demand box making machinery, contact the team at Ribble by calling 0161 284 9000.

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