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Practical overview
With climate change already causing disruptions in food and raw goods supply, sustainable business practices are more vital than ever and any business that has not started implementing more sustainability is already behind. Not only is it important for the health of the environment, but sustainable and environmentally friendly practices have a positive effect on consumers and workers alike. More than anything, consumers are now demanding sustainability from manufacturers and suppliers.
One major area where consumers demand more sustainability and accountability is packaging, particularly in foods. There’s a push for more recyclable, compostable, or otherwise environmentally packaging options, but there’s also the challenge of introducing new packaging processes while keeping the cost low for manufacturers and the end-user.
Here are a few options for introducing sustainable practices in the packaging process.
Less is almost always more when it comes to packaging food products, especially for produce. Many produce suppliers are packaging bulk options in plastic-free or biodegradable packaging, making it easier for consumers to recycle. This is an excellent alternative to the common plastic mesh bags used to package citrus, onions, potatoes, and other bulk produce.
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Develop Full Eco-Lifecycles for Packaging
The benefit of fully recyclable packaging material is that is has the potential for manufacturers to create a full eco-lifecycle. This means sourcing material from recycled packaging, and ensuring the finished packaging is in turn recycled after the product is consumed.
A full lifecycle of packaging material offers several benefits for manufacturers, namely increased marketing value of their products. A mention that the package is made from post-consumer recycled content and that it is recyclable is a big appeal for consumers. Additionally, this process keeps plastics in use rather than continuing to add to landfills.
Finally, whether the operation is utilizing environmentally friendly materials or not, responsibly sourcing these materials has a significant effect on the operation's overall sustainability. Consumers like to see companies being transparent about their manufacturing practices, and showing that materials are being sourced in a way that does not negatively impact the environment or other communities can be a huge selling point.
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Start Slow and Look Towards the Future
There are countless ways companies can make themselves more sustainable, and it can be overwhelming to get started. The important thing to remember is to start with small steps to slowly change practices towards sustainability. Changes won’t happen overnight. Set goals for the future, make efforts to work towards those goals and be transparent about it to consumers.
With the ever-changing economic environment, flexibility is key for every industry. With highly adaptable machinery and conveyance systems, businesses can maintain flexibility and change with the times to keep their market presence strong.