Sustainable Packaging as a Customer Experience Advantage

No matter the size of your business, you want your customers to have a fantastic experience every time they receive a package from you. Sustainable packaging is one way to achieve this, regardless of whether your merchandise is opened by one person or viewed by thousands in a social media unboxing video.

But just why is sustainable, eco-friendly packaging so attractive to business and customers? And how can companies use recyclable packaging and marketing techniques, such as unboxing, to enhance their customer experience?

What is sustainable packaging?

Sustainable packaging is something of a buzzword, but what exactly is it and what does it do?

Sustainable packaging is any packaging solution designed to minimize environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. This includes using renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials and reducing waste and energy consumption in production to create packaging that supports eco-friendly practices while remaining functional and protective for the product inside.

To be truly “sustainable,” sustainable packaging must meet the following criteria:

1. Packaging must be curbside recyclable
2. Materials must be responsibly sourced and made from renewable, natural materials
3. Packaging must be safe to handle
4. Material must be created using an environmentally-friendly production process

And where there are plenty of companies marketing themselves as “sustainable,” few actually meet that standard.

MORE: The Complete Guide to Sustainable Packaging in 2026

How sustainable and eco-friendly packaging can drive your customer experience from delivery

True, sustainable, and eco-friendly packaging is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses that want to build and maintain customer loyalty.

Unboxing is a great way to drive community engagement

Unboxing is a huge part of the customer experience. And these days, unboxings are usually shared on sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where they can sometimes reach hundreds of thousands of viewers—that’s a lot of free eyeballs.

So how can something as simple as an unboxing impact your brand? Unboxing is so effective by:

• Making a first impression on new customers that can turn into repeat orders.
• Letting video viewers see what to expect when ordering from your company.
• Helping you stand out from the competition if the unboxing that ticks all the right boxes.
• Reinforcing your identity with repeat customers, building brand loyalty over time.

Increased awareness of your brand’s environmental consciousness

But it’s not just the product that your customers will be seeing when they unbox—they’ll also see what you wrap your product in.

A growing factor in the shipping experience (including unboxing) is making your packaging sustainable. Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, meaning they're more likely to support companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

Eco-friendly packaging helps brands better tell their story and push their sustainability efforts. Put simply, if brands can highlight sustainable packaging choices in their marketing materials, they can foster customer trust and loyalty. And with the potentially massive reach of the right unboxing video, having the right packaging partner is critical.

Tips for using sustainable and eco-friendly packaging to drive customer engagement

• First Impressions: Aim for visually appealing packaging that protects items. Use natural or attractive colors to enhance presentation.
• Minimal Packing Materials: Use the least amount of material necessary. Replace excess tape with sustainable options such as paper bands or hemp twine. Consider protective paper mailers for smaller items.
• Use Space Wisely: Avoid excess flyers. Print information on the box flaps or the packaging's interior. Include QR codes or brand hashtags, and use eco-friendly ink.
• Personalization: Add notes or small gifts based on customer habits. Maintain a personalized touch as the company grows.
• Disposal Guidance: Include recycling reminders on packaging. Suggest creative reuse ideas, and consider offering reduced-packaging refills for sustainable products.

Why is switching to sustainable packaging so important for brands?

If you’ve been thinking about switching to sustainable packaging for your business, today is the ideal time to make the change. You and your customers both reap multiple benefits when you choose more eco-friendly packing material. These advantages go beyond the customer experience and affect your bottom line and the health of customers and workers.

Sustainable packaging is technically superior to traditional options

Sustainable packaging doesn’t just look nice; it aligns with your customers’ ethos about caring for the planet. When you choose the right brand and use products like Kraft paper, void fill, and product wrap, you can also enjoy better protection for your merchandise.

Sustainable packaging that utilizes a honeycomb design has these pluses that help your bottom line:

• The packaging stores flat, taking up little space, but expands to provide excellent three-dimensional cushioning for goods.
• Honeycomb kraft paper packaging doesn’t flatten over time, like many other types of packaging, for longer-lasting protection.
• The outstanding cushioning provided by honeycomb packaging helps businesses reduce costly returns and exchanges due to damage.
• You can use less packaging to achieve the protection you need, saving on storage, packing materials, and labor costs.
• Sustainable paper packaging can be used with manual dispensers and automated dispensers, providing flexibility for businesses of all sizes.
• The slits in the paper allow the material to interlock, so no tape or adhesives are needed, saving you time and money.

Microplastics pose a threat to human health

One of the biggest reasons for the surge in sustainable packaging is recent research about microplastics, also known as nanoplastics. Few plastics can actually be fully recycled, so the vast majority of them end up in landfills or the world’s oceans.

And as plastics—including plastic packaging—break down, they leach harmful chemicals into the environment and often break down into tiny plastic beads (microplastics), which are associated with environmental harm and a number of human disease states, from cardiovascular problems to reproductive and gastrointestinal conditions.

Single-use plastics are being phased out

Soon, companies won’t even have the option to use single-use packaging, such as plastic bubble wrap or pillows. Multiple US states and the European Union have enacted new legislation to reduce single-use plastics and encourage recycling. Pacific Rim states and other Asian countries are also getting on the bandwagon with their own regulation, so if you ship globally, your business must comply with these rules.

Consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging

And, most importantly, your customers are willing to spend more to save the planet.

According to McKinsey and Company, nearly 70% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. That data mirrors a 2018 study that found the majority of Americans make future purchasing decisions and form impressions of a business based on its packaging, with 67% of respondents preferring paper and cardboard packaging because it reduces waste.

Sustainable packaging is critical for a company because it conveys the business’s values to consumers. And with deliveries at all-time highs, packaging is more important than ever. A thoughtfully designed packaging solution can save money, reduce waste, and drive returning customers.

Why HexcelPack should be your sustainable packaging partner

Not only can sustainable packaging drive consumer interest and loyalty, but it can also save you money when it features a truly innovative design. However, when looking for a sustainable packaging partner, make sure you choose an experienced manufacturer with a track record of innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly products.

HexcelPack’s® story goes back more than three decades, when David Goodrich developed the original slit paper technology—a unique way to transform a simple piece of paper into a three-dimensional cushioning solution while reducing landfill waste.

The power of the HexcelPack approach lies in our patented technology. HexcelPack’s slit paper design flexes to create volume, leveraging paper fibers for strength and resilience, outperforming traditional plastic bubbles and other packaging materials, while offering 100% curbside recyclability and biodegradability.

If you’re excited about creating memorable customer experiences with sustainable packaging, check out our online store or give our team a call to discuss larger quantities and customized dispensing options.