Why Is Eco-Friendly Packaging So Important?

In a world under the threat of global climate change and swiftly depleting natural resources, the packaging of products is gaining increased attention among stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, and supply chain partners as well as consumers. Packaging is a vital and unavoidable component of any product, an excellent place for advertisers and a significant component of a brand's image. Driven by the growth of businesses, eCommerce, the complexity of global supply chains and the ever-evolving consumer preferences, product packaging has become critical for delivering safe products to market and reducing waste. However, in a world threatened by the menace of climate change, packaging undoubtedly must be sustainable as well as functional. 

The startling facts on packaging waste

Have you ever thought about what percentage of packaging from products regularly ends up in landfills? 

• According to the World Bank, 12% of the global waste composition is plastic waste, partially consisting of plastic packaging and other plastic products and materials. 
• Research conducted by National Geographic reveals that plastic trash underneath the ocean beds is expected to reach almost 29 million metric tons by 2040. 
• It has also been found that almost half of these packaging wastes get generated from the food packaging industry.

These mind-boggling figures point out that it's high time both manufacturers and consumers rethink their packaging habits and shift towards sustainable and green alternatives. 

What happens to the plastic or polymer packaging after use? 

Most packaging materials, be it plastic sachets or single-use containers, land in landfills or ocean bottoms after use. The problem with plastic, which tends to be the majority of packaging material, is that it never decomposes. Instead, it disintegrates into minute particles called microplastics and stays on the earth's surface for millions of years. 

The more we use plastic and non-bio-degradable packaging materials, the more we harm the natural environment around us. It significantly increases our carbon footprint too. The sheer scale of plastic production leads scientists to predict that plastic production will account for 56 gigatons of CO2 emissions from now until 2050. When you purchase products with eco-friendly packaging, you generate significantly less household waste. This reduces your overall carbon footprint and ensures garbage doesn't end up in other parts of the environment, like rivers or the ocean. 

What is meant by eco-friendly packaging? 

A buzzword these days, eco-friendly packaging is any packaging that's easy to recycle, safe for individuals and the environment, and made of recycled materials. It employs sustainable materials, processes and manufacturing practices with the lowest impact on energy consumption and natural resources during manufacturing. Popularly known as sustainable or green packaging, eco-friendly packaging solutions aim to:

• Lessen the amount of product packaging
• Promote the use of renewable/reusable materials
• Cut back on packaging-related expenses
• Be manufactured employing clean production technologies and best practices
• Eliminate the use of toxic materials in the production of packaging
• Provide options to recycle packages easily

The shift to eco-friendly packaging is not at all difficult and can be initiated by making some simple changes. You can easily start the process by using products like the Tirtyl hand soaps, laundry sheets, tirtyl towels or even the universal cleaner which are all packaged in regular cardboard which is degradable.

Since they are made from organic and natural substances, they decompose like any other organic waste in the landfill. These can be put in the compost pile rather than adding to the natural waste your home generates. All Tirtyl products, be it the Tityl universal cleaner, Tirtyl hand soap, and even the refills themselves, are eco-friendly and help to minimise waste generation. 

The advantages of eco-friendly packaging

Using compostable, recyclable and eco-friendly packaging can have a significant impact on creating a safer, healthier and greener planet. The advantages it offers are:

• Reduces carbon footprint significantly: Your carbon footprint is the level of carbon dioxide you emit into the atmosphere. You can lower your CO2 emissions by reducing the amount of packaging for your finished products or by shifting to recyclable or renewable items.
• Toxin and allergen-free: Eco-friendly packaging allows consumers to have allergen and toxin-free packaging for their products. 
• Reduces plastic and other non-bio-degradable product consumption: Since eco-friendly packages are made from plant-based and 100% natural ingredients, they help to cut down the production, distribution and consumption of plastics.
• Strengthens a brand's image: When companies adopt sustainable packaging best practices as a part of their mainstream operations, it sends a strong message to their consumers. It thus positions the brand as a sustainable and environmentally conscious one compelling them to adopt it as a 'way of life and not just a 'part'.

Final thoughts

There is no denying that eco-friendly packaging is not just essential but also inevitable in the present. The lack of concern towards our environment has been causing detrimental effects on the overall well-being of life on the earth's surface. Waste generated from packaging alone contributes to a massive chunk of environmental pollution, plastics being a major contributor. The approach toward adopting green packaging material is one of the many things we could do to create a healthier environment than the one we currently live in. Adopting simple practices, for instance, like giving up plastics, non-degradable and pollutant packaging in place of degradable, 100% plant-based materials like the ones from Tirtyl's range of personal and home care products could be a significant leap in this direction.