In the hyper-competitive business world that we live in today, companies must do all they can to try and win the attention of their potential customers. Undoubtedly, one of the key areas that businesses must focus on is their packaging designs and how those appeal to their target customer base.
Typically, you will come across big, bright, flashy designs that are intended to entice their target market and draw them in. However, over recent years it has become increasingly important for companies to consider using eco-friendly options for their packaging designs, too.
Over the last few years, there has been a massive rise in demand for eco-friendly packaging and products, and now companies more than ever are looking for alternatives to their standard packaging strategies.
So what exactly does it mean for packaging to be eco-friendly? Simply put, eco-friendly packaging does not harm the environment in any way, shape, or form during their production, use, or disposal.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the critical areas highlighting the importance of eco-friendly packaging.
Improves Brand’s Image
As the demand for recyclable and eco-friendly packaging continues to rise, so too does the importance of brand complying with this demand and switching to more eco-friendly solutions.
Consumers are now more conscious than ever of the products that they purchase and how they impact the environment. What better way to show an eco-conscious consumer that you care about the environment and the sustainability of your products by presenting them in eco-friendly packaging?
Eco-conscious consumers will most likely seek an alternative if the brand that they frequently buy refuses to switch to a more sustainable packaging alternative. It has become one of the most significant consumer trends over recent years, and companies who fail to adapt to this shift will more than likely begin to lose some of their customer bases.
The flip side of this is also true. If a company does implement eco-friendly packaging and has a clear goal to become more sustainable, then it will most likely develop a stronger brand image and will lead them to acquiring new customers and retaining the loyalty of those customers that they already have.
After all, not many people would want to avoid purchasing a product due to it being eco-friendly.
Company Social Responsibility
Companies must recognize the key role that they play in the battle against climate change, pollution, and the harmful effects that unsustainable products and packaging can have on our world.
Large corporations often act as trailblazers for a wide variety of trends in the market, and more often than not, the smaller sized companies will follow suit. This is what makes it crucial that they incorporate solid corporate social responsibility practices and minimize the adverse effects that they cause the environment.
Not only will it help to protect our environment, but it will also more than likely to improve their sales figures, too. According to one study, “91 percent of global consumers expect companies to do more than make a profit, but also operate responsibly to address social and environmental issues.”
On top of that, Nielsen Global Survey on corporate social responsibility stated that over half of respondents across the world said packaging designs influence their sustainable purchase decisions.
Marketing
Introducing eco-friendly packaging has the power to transform a company’s brand image and set them above from their competitors. Companies that use eco-friendly packaging as a means to market their product in innovative and thoughtful ways will likely outperform their competitors.
In fact, in a recent survey, 51 marketing managers were asked what the most important factors were when making decisions about packaging. Unsurprisingly, the number one answer was whether or not the packaging was environmentally friendly or not.
Put it this way; if there are two identical products next to each other on a store shelf and one of them reads “made from 100% eco-friendly materials that will completely biodegrade in 10 years or less”, while the other one says nothing, it is much more likely that the consumer will opt for the eco-friendly option.
What are some methods of eco-friendly packaging?
Last but not least, let’s take a look at some methods that companies can implement to make their packaging more eco-friendly:
- Cardboard and paper packaging
- Eco-friendly/biodegradable plastic
- Plant-based/organic packaging
- Multi-use packaging
- Eco-friendly ink
- Corn starch packaging
- Biodegradable bubble wrap
The list goes on. There are seemingly countless ways to implement eco-friendly packaging. The more innovative a company is with its design, the better it helps to boost their brand identity and awareness and shows that they have a keen interest in their corporate social responsibility.
At this point, it seems that eco-friendly packaging is no longer an option for companies; it has become a necessity if they are to survive in this ever-changing consumer conscious world.
