Sustainable Packaging Spotlight
Source: Aldi
Consumers today want a more sustainable shopping experience, and this preference for more eco-friendly products is showing up in their purchasing behavior. According to NIQ Retail Measurement and Product Insights data, products with sustainability claims grew 34% more than products without claims from 2018-2022. NIQ survey data also reveals that 95% of consumers indicated they are trying to live more sustainably, taking actions including recycling, buying products with recyclable packaging and using refillable containers.
Brands are taking notice and are shifting packaging strategies to reduce the environmental impact of their products to align with consumer preferences and promote a more sustainable future.
Amazon recently made headlines for eliminating the use of plastic air pillows in its boxes. Instead, the company is now using paper fillers made from 100% recycled content. According to Amazon, this paper filler is curbside recyclable, making it easier for customers to recycle at home. The company estimates that replacing 95% of plastic air pillows from delivery packaging in North America will avoid the use of nearly 15 billion of these pillows annually.
Amazon isn’t the only brand rethinking packaging strategies and prioritizing recyclable materials. Some of the other companies making news for optimizing the recyclability of their packaging to reduce waste include:
Source: ThePackHub
Aldi – Aldi recently introduced new plastic-free packaging on its everyday own-label toothbrushes. The company replaced the plastic and card packaging with a cardboard alternative, making it easier for customers to recycle at home without the need for separation. According to the company, the change applies to Aldi’s two-packs of Dentitex Soft and Whitening toothbrushes, helping to remove an estimated 17 tons of plastic packaging per year.
Craft Naturals –Packaging World recently reported that Craft Naturals is now offering hand soaps and shampoos in recyclable canned packaging to provide both convenience and sustainability for consumers. With this new packaging, customers can either empty the can’s contents into a refillable bottle or attach a pump dispenser directly to the top.
Starbucks – Waste Dive reported that Starbucks is launching new fiber-based, compostable cups for cold beverages in select locations. The cup is manufactured from double-walled paperboard with a bioplastic liner, and the lids are made from molded fiber. According to the article, the compostable cups and lids will initially roll out in 24 stores, based on local mandates, and more markets are likely to be added in the future.
method – method announced in June that it is making all of its clear plastic bottles from recycled recovered coastal plastic sourced through a partnership between SC Johnson and Plastic Bank. Recycled recovered coastal plastic is plastic collected on land, within 31 miles of the coast, to stop it from ending up in the ocean or a landfill.
Dole – As part of its promise to reduce plastic packaging, Dole will debut new paper-based packaging for its Dole Smoothie Bowls. This new packaging uses 97% less plastic than the previous design. The new paper-based bowls will launch in late 2024.
New packaging innovations today are helping brands like these make their packaging more sustainable.
CCT’s EEASY Lid is a consumer-facing packaging innovation that helps brands:
- Meet growing shopper demand for sustainably packaged products
- Reduce their environmental footprint
- Deliver on their sustainability initiatives
The first jar lid innovation in 80 years, the EEASY Lid is made of recyclable aluminum. The recyclability of the EEASY Lid not only caters to consumer preferences but meets evolving regulatory requirements for reducing waste and conserving resources.
Contact us today to learn more about how the EEASY Lid can help your brand attract new customers and build brand loyalty, powering success in an increasingly competitive market landscape.