Why Sustainable Packaging Matters More to Customers Than Ever

More and more studies are pointing to the fact that consumers want sustainable packaging over alternatives that are bad for the planet and dangerous for their health. It’s vital to understand this behavior that drives customer sales and loyalty.

Read on to learn five reasons why sustainable packaging matters more than ever to consumers, including:

• Public awareness of how bad plastic is for the environment
• Research showing links between plastic and health problems
• Laws regulating recycling and single-use plastic
• A need for packaging that better protects ecommerce merchandise
• Greater focus on brand ethos and public perception on social media

By learning more about eco-friendly packaging consumer trends, you can make changes to your company’s packaging to capture more of the market while also benefiting the earth. 

Plastic Packaging Environmental Damage

It’s common knowledge how devastating plastic is for our planet. Consumers are realizing how little plastic is actually recycled, largely because it is not manufactured to be, or it requires special facilities not present in most communities.

What happens to plastic packaging that’s not recycled? Most of it winds up in landfills, where it takes years to decompose. As it breaks down, it leaves behind a trail of unwanted chemicals and often degrades into microplastics that contaminate water sources, soil, and wildlife.

Eco-conscious customers are turning to sustainable packaging to avoid the damage brought by plastic packing material. They’re willing to pay more for items packaged with products that can be reused, recycled, or composted. Where sustainable packaging once felt like a “nice-to-have” bonus, it is now an expectation, and businesses that don’t offer eco-friendly packaging risk losing customers and revenue.

Think this is an overblown fad? Consider the results of this recent global study highlighting the rising demand for sustainable packaging: 

• More than half of participants said they were extremely concerned about the environmental impact of packing material.
• Almost 70% said they would pay more for products with sustainable packaging.
• More than one-third stated they would buy more sustainably packaged items if they were readily available.

Increased Awareness of Plastic Health Hazards

The microplastics discussed above aren’t just harmful for the environment; they’re also being linked to a variety of health conditions, including:

• Reproductive problems
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Digestive issues
• Respiratory disease
• Autoimmune disease

How do microplastics enter the human body? They can be present in drinking water, either through ground contamination or through the water cycle that includes rain and snow. Nanoplastic exposure can also occur through direct contact or inhalation of these tiny particles.

Consuming animals that contain microplastics, such as fish, can also contribute to long-term accumulation. And everyday items like plastic food packaging and bottled water are additional, common sources of exposure.

As awareness grows, smart consumers are turning to the areas they can control, such as the packaging used in their daily lives. Many now prefer kraft paper packaging and other paper-based alternatives that don’t expose them to plastic, can be recycled, and are manufactured with less impact on the planet. 

New Regulations Supporting Sustainable Packaging

Because of the health and environmental risks of plastics and other unwanted non-sustainable packaging, many areas are enacting their own laws around sustainable packaging. The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act in Oregon is a leading example, and many other states are planning to follow suit.

Similarly, the European Union is phasing out single-use packaging over the next few years. This means that if your business wants to ship to Europe, it will have to follow these new guidelines—whether it’s a one-person Etsy shop or a medium-size e-commerce company.Getting ahead of these regulations now by embracing sustainable packaging positions your business competitively rather than waiting until the change is mandatory.

Desire for More Effective Packaging

For many consumers, the demand for sustainable packaging isn’t just about the environment, it’s also about performance. Customers want packaging materials that protect their purchases more effectively during transit. Damaged merchandise means returns, replacements, and lower online reviews, all of which reduce profits and customer loyalty. Frustrated shoppers often take their business elsewhere.

Savvy consumers have discovered that the right sustainable packaging can protect their purchases better than plastic and less eco-friendly options. Paper honeycomb packaging, for instance, when used for void fill, product wrap, or protective mailers (padded envelopes) doesn’t compact over time like plastic bubble does. Because it locks onto itself, it often eliminates the need for excess tape and adhesives inside shipments.

It's not just plastic packaging under scrutiny. Traditional wood crating is also becoming outdated. Wood crates are heavy, and the hardware used to secure them can damage delicate items—or injure the people unpacking them. And disposal is a challenge: treated wood can’t be recycled or burned, so it often ends up in landfills.

Fortunately, there is wood-free crating available to replace its older counterpart. This crating is made of recycled material and can be reused and recycled itself. It’s lighter and poses no danger to employees or customers. Plus, it protects fragile and expensive items better from impact and vibration. 

Public Perception and Brand Alliance

For consumers whose purchasing habits are public, especially social media influencers, sustainable packaging is non-negotiable. Viewers expect influencers to behave and shop responsibly, and excessive or single-use packaging in unboxing videos often draws criticism.

For influencers, aligning with the brands their followers favor is as important as introducing new brands. By supporting companies that use sustainable packaging, they can attract and retain a following that better meets up with modern sensibilities, particularly in younger demographics. 

Improve Customer Satisfaction with HexcelPack Sustainable Packaging Solutions

HexcelPack delivers the sustainable packaging solutions today’s consumers expect. Our innovative, paper-based protective packaging systems are designed to reduce environmental impact while improving the unboxing experience, and our team can tailor solutions for any business size or industry.

Small companies can find packing solutions in lower volumes through our online store. For larger operations, our packaging experts are ready to help streamline your fulfillment process with customized, efficient, and fully sustainable kraft paper packaging products.