Packaging materials that meet the environmental requirements mainly include the following categories:
1. Paper packaging materials
Paper and cardboard: reusable, recyclable and biodegradable, it is one of the most common environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Corrugated paper and boxboard: has good cushioning properties and is recyclable.
Honeycomb cardboard and pulp molding: have a wide range of applications and are easily degradable.
2. Biodegradable materials
Polylactic acid (PLA): made from corn starch, easily degradable.
Polyhydroxy fatty acid ester (PHA): highly biodegradable.
Corn starch packaging: biodegradable, suitable for FMCG packaging.
3. Recyclable packaging
GRS and EN15343 recyclable packaging: Realize 100% recycling of the same material.
PE/PE recyclable composite packaging: recyclable.
4. Natural Biomaterials
Plant fiber materials: biodegradable and renewable.
Mushroom packaging: special purpose and biodegradable.
5. Edible materials
Made of natural ingredients, they are not harmful to human body after consumption and are biodegradable.
The cost of environmentally friendly packaging materials is usually higher than that of traditional materials.
Raw material cost: The raw material price of environmentally friendly materials such as PLA, PHA, etc. is usually higher than that of traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Production Process Complexity: The production process of environmentally friendly materials may be more complex, requiring higher technical requirements and energy consumption.
Market demand and supply: Although the demand for environmentally friendly packaging materials is currently increasing, the supply chain is still not fully mature, resulting in relatively high prices.
However, from a long-term perspective, eco-friendly packaging materials can bring additional economic benefits by reducing waste disposal costs, avoiding fines related to environmental pollution, and enhancing brand image. As a result, their full life-cycle costs may be lower or flat, despite higher initial costs.
1. Environmental protection
Reduce waste: Reduce the amount of waste in landfills and reduce environmental pollution by using recyclable, biodegradable or compostable materials.
Reduce carbon footprint: Reduce carbon emissions from production processes by using renewable resources and cleaner production techniques.
2. Economic Benefits
Cost savings: While initial costs may be high, long-term costs may be reduced through increased production efficiency, waste reduction and recycling.
Brand image enhancement: Adopting environmentally friendly packaging can enhance brand image, attract environmentally conscious consumers, and increase sales and profits.
3. Social Responsibility
Meet government policies and consumer demands: As government policies and consumer preferences change, adopting eco-friendly packaging can help companies meet relevant requirements and avoid potential legal and reputational risks.
Promote sustainable development: By promoting environmentally friendly packaging, companies can contribute to the sustainable development of society and enhance their sense of social responsibility.
4. Technological innovation
Promote technological progress: the demand for environmentally friendly packaging promotes the research and development of new materials and technologies, and promotes the innovation and progress of the whole industry.
In short, environmentally friendly packaging materials not only help protect the environment, but also bring economic benefits, enhance brand image, and promote technological innovation.
Impact of using environmentally friendly packaging materials on product quality
1. Protective properties
Durability and cushioning: Eco-friendly materials such as paper or biodegradable materials may not be as durable or have cushioning properties as traditional plastics. To address this issue, stronger eco-friendly materials or optimized packaging design can be selected to ensure product safety during transportation.
2. Moisture and humidity resistance
Moisture control: Some eco-friendly materials may not be as effective as traditional materials in preventing moisture or humidity, which may affect the quality of moisture-prone products. The use of moisture-proof materials or the design of special moisture-proof packaging can help solve this problem.
3. Food safety
Material safety: Ensure that environmentally friendly packaging materials meet food safety standards, especially when used for food packaging. Choosing certified materials can avoid the risk of contamination of the product.
4. Design optimization
Packaging design: By optimizing packaging design, you can reduce the amount of material used while ensuring product protection. For example, using a more compact package size or structure can reduce material waste and improve transportation efficiency.
5. Material selection
Performance matching: Choose environmentally friendly materials that match the needs of the product. For example, for products that require high-strength protection, choose strong cardboard or corrugated materials.
The following factors are key in recyclable packaging design:
1. Material selection
Recyclable materials: Choose recyclable plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or traditional recyclable materials such as cardboard and glass.
Avoid composite materials: Composite materials are difficult to recycle and should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
2. Design Optimization
Easy Recycling Design: The design should consider easy recyclability, reduce the use of printing and labeling, and choose packaging structures that are easy to handle.
Simple and compact: Reduce material usage and improve efficiency by designing more compact packaging.
3. Marking and education
Clear labeling: Clearly label material types and recycling guidelines on packaging to help consumers recycle correctly.
Consumer Education: Encourage consumers to recycle properly through education and messaging.
4. Recycling Infrastructure
Infrastructure support: Ensure that appropriate recycling infrastructure is in place to support the recycling and reuse of packaging materials.
5. Cost-benefit Analysis
Cost control: When designing recyclable packaging, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered to ensure that the design meets environmental requirements while remaining economically viable.
With these key factors, it is possible to design recyclable packaging that is both environmentally friendly and efficient.
Selecting environmentally friendly packaging materials requires consideration of a number of factors.
1. Eco-friendly material selection
Biodegradable or recyclable materials: Choose biodegradable or recyclable plastic materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene (PE).
Natural materials: Use purely natural materials such as paper and cardboard to minimize the impact on the environment.
2. Certification and testing
Ensure that the selected materials have relevant environmental certifications, such as OK Compost or degradable certification.
Check the food safety test reports of the materials to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
3. Simplified packaging design
Design simple, functional packaging to minimize the use of unnecessary materials.
Clearly label the packaging with recyclable symbols and material composition.
4. Cost-benefit assessment
Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different materials and choose the most budget-friendly and efficient option.
5. Product Characterization
Select appropriate packaging materials according to the type of product (solid, liquid, powder, etc.).
Consider factors such as shelf life, water content, acidity and alkalinity of the product.
6. Target Markets and Sales Channels
Understand the needs and expectations of the target market for environmentally friendly packaging.
Adjust the packaging design according to the sales channel (online or offline).
In short, through rational design and material selection, environmentally friendly packaging materials can protect product quality while realizing environmental goals. These materials play an important role in reducing environmental pollution and conserving resources, and their applications will become more and more widespread as environmental awareness grows.
