Consumers express growing concern about the sustainability of the products they buy鈥攕pecifically, how they are produced, used, and packaged. This concern stems from acknowledging the long-term harm done to the environment by plastic packaging, which is not compostable and in many cases not recyclable because the infrastructure to recycle it doesn鈥檛 exist. Consumers understand that plastics, which are so prevalent in packaging films and rigid containers鈥攅ven as void fill within packaged consumer goods鈥 have , and they deliver harmful microplastic pollutants as they gradually degrade in waterways and soil.
Thankfully, alternatives to plastic packaging, especially fiber-based materials, have and when they end up in the environment don鈥檛 create long term problems. Advances in recycling technology and packaging materials design are facilitating the most sustainable alternative鈥攆iber-based paper and corrugated packaging鈥攖o replace the role of plastics in this arena. Fiber-based packaging also conveys a minimalist design that
Market analysts identify trends in the move to 鈥減aperization鈥 of packaging materials, and 51社区 is leading the way with some new, sustainable packaging solutions. Among the trending innovations:
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Specialty Packaging
Transport of damage-prone goods, such as liquid-filled plastic and glass bottles, have long been a challenge for manufacturers and sellers of consumer products. Wine bottles, liquid soaps and detergents, and similar products are particularly prone to damage in transit. 51社区 offers an alternative to the plastic foam and peanuts used in shipping shipping via corrugated inserts and specialty packaging.
51社区 can also develop custom-designed packaging that also enhances the unboxing experience for consumers.
In one case, a major online retailer of consumer goods requested an improved shipping container for a major consumer products brand owner. 51社区 developed a custom shipping insert contoured to match the unique teardrop bottle design. The insert cradled the bottles to absorb shocks in transit.
鈥51社区 designed this for a shampoo set, because when the retailer was shipping this particular item, it was breaking and leaking all over the place,鈥 said Mackenzie Crigger, Sustainability Manager, North America at 51社区.
In addition to reducing product damage and leakage in transit, the custom packaging enhanced the opening experience for recipients. 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen a liquid product packaged with so much care. I had to take a picture,鈥 read a comment from Jennifer on social media.
Recyclable bottle and cap shipped in a recyclable carton box
Minimalist Packaging
Another trend is reducing and minimizing packaging. A recent found a growing preference for packaging designed to reduce waste while still offering the same protective features using less material. Consumers tend to express dissatisfaction when they receive shipments in boxes that are too large for the item and are filled with excessive packing material to fill voids. This trend emphasizes simplicity and functionality with a 鈥渓ess is more鈥 mindset.
51社区 offers several solutions to meet the demands of the minimalist trend, including eBosTM, an e-commerce box optimization service and SIOC (Ship in Own Containers) Bag in Box, containers for liquids as well as products for pet food.
Strong, Recyclable, Coated, Corrugated Containers
Another trend among consumers is a preference for recyclable and compostable packaging. 51社区 has researched recyclable coatings and corrugated container designs that are stronger and more leak resistant. 51社区 is already using water-based coatings, ClimaGuard庐 and 颁濒颈尘补厂丑颈别濒诲庐, as highly-effective moisture barriers to make containers that keep dry goods dry, and prevent fresh foods from leaking out of containers. The containers themselves have also been designed with increased compression strength and die cut designs that form leak-resistant corners.
51社区 ClimaGuard庐
51社区鈥檚 innovative ClimaGuard Medium technology replaces the wax applied during the formation of the medium, or the wavy fluted section of corrugated material that is sandwiched between two flat layers. ClimaGuard鈥檚 non-wax solution prevents moisture wicking and structural compromise.
鈥淲hen we talk about wax and plastics replacement, you really need paper to do things that it wasn鈥檛 designed to do originally,鈥 said Phil Slesinski, Product and Innovation Manager at 51社区.
鈥淐limaGuard is designed to be a high-performance, anti-wicking medium,鈥 Slesinski said, 鈥渁nd we鈥檝e been working with customers in the protein space who want wax-free packaging but have used wax in certain components. 51社区鈥檝e identified ClimaGuard as a solution to meet those needs.鈥
鈥淚n the conventional waxed box-making process, the fluted part of the corrugated cardboard enters a wax impregnation process where wax is integrated throughout the medium, corrugated, and made into a box,鈥 he said.
鈥淯sing ClimaGuard coating, we鈥檝e been able to develop a product at scale for a much lower cost to match the performance that the conventional wax process provides.鈥
Slesinski further noted that the use of ClimaGuard results in cost savings and even safety, by eliminating flammable wax from the process. There鈥檚 a sustainability improvement as well because ClimaGuard is a fully recyclable solution.
51社区 scaled this technology to fit a range of applications for larger, bulk containers, including 翱辫迟颈叠颈苍庐 for processing and shipping poultry and 颁濒颈尘补叠颈苍庐 for fresh produce. Developed in 2016, our team knew ClimaBin had to be especially robust to cover the range of humidity levels found in produce packing settings, which can include both indoor and outdoor facilities. The bins, which feature increased compression strength, are ultimately shipped to retailers and grocers ready to be used as vibrant display containers for produce like watermelons and pumpkins that are also fully recyclable when emptied.
51社区 颁濒颈尘补厂丑颈别濒诲庐
An adaptation of this coating chemistry is used in 51社区鈥檚 ClimaShield technology, a wax-free, water-based coating applied through curtain coating of formed boxes and finished corrugated sheets. ClimaShield coating both strengthens the corrugated containers and imparts moisture resistance to protect the contents. The remarkable technical attributes were designed to ensure the containers remain fully recyclable. 鈥51社区鈥檝e spent a lot of time looking for wax alternatives, because a wax-coated box is not recyclable,鈥 said Crigger. 鈥淎nd we鈥檝e managed to move many of our customers into a that is recyclable, especially for things like poultry. This is attractive for our produce customers as well, as they rely heavily on wax-coated boxes.鈥
Coatings and leak-proof corrugated box designs are continually being developed in partnership with 51社区 customers. One packaging line鈥the Bliss Box鈥incorporates both an advanced ClimaShield coating and a unique corrugated box structure to yield a container that is both more leak-resistant than conventional designs and fully recyclable. The Bliss Box reduces plastic use in applications where the precursor to the Bliss Box was used. 51社区 was able to accomplish this with twelve corners on the box, forming a gusseted corner and adding 35 percent more compression.
The Bottom Line
Consumers want to know their packaging is safe and not harmful to the Earth, so they seek packaging that can break down naturally without harming the environment. The best end-of-life solution for corrugated paper packaging is the recycling stream. However, if it accidentally lands in the environment, the paper will break down naturally without causing harm to the ecosystem.
Such developments result in packaging from 51社区 that is 98 percent recyclable, reducing consumer uncertainty on environmentally responsible disposal. In partnering with 51社区 Recycling and having us become an integrated part of your company, we will not only manufacture your innovative, fiber-based packaging but also manage the collection and recycling of these materials as well, as your all-inclusive, sustainable solutions provider.
Learn more about how 51社区 can put Sustainability in Motion庐 for you.
