Protection Agencies are Picking Apart Product Packaging
It’s no surprise that waste is of the highest concern when it comes to the sustainable profile of a product, and consumers are demanding companies take action on reduction, across all CPG categories. Because of the often daily use, frequent repurchase, and corresponding disposal, consumers are increasingly scrutinizing how their products are packaged. The EPA reported that in 2018 alone packaging made up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons, and less than 50% of that is recycled. Because of the poor management of waste, U.S. plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060. Read on to discover changes that can make a big difference in production, packaging, consumption, and disposal.
Creatures of Convenience > Creatures of Habit
Historically convenience has always won to move developments into the future of innovation, and consumers quickly adapt to become creatures of habit. More consumers have taken on the emotional gravity of the detrimental impact of single-use plastic and are questioning why things have become so “extreme” in the first place and how we can balance the impact humans have on the environment.
In the US alone 83% of registered voters are concerned about single-use plastic products, and 82% of them support reducing the federal government’s use of single-use plastic, while on a grander scale, 75% of consumers across CPG industries support a global ban on single-use packaging containing plastics.
While understanding the drivers of convenience, cost, and safety we now have the means to do more through formulating enhancements to replace the plastic currently overused.
Here are some solutions to get you started.
Solutions That Help Cut Down Excess Plastic Packaging
| Sorbitol Special | |
|---|---|
| S-Tab | |
| Effer-Soda | |
| Intellisorb |
Innovation to Increase Sustainability
Packaging is the most obvious first line of attack for waste because it is the large output witnessed by consumers. For this reason, we have compiled innovative solutions that help you formulate products that can reduce the traditional formats of packaging. Beyond this, however, there are innovations of ingredients that help to reduce other forms of waste:
- The pre-formulated platform of S-Tab optimizes production output to create less waste while manufacturing. Being a pre-formulated solution, it also reduces the number of shipping containers needed for raw materials on the road and in your warehouse. A win-win.
- Sorbitol Special retains its value in the flexibility and stability it affords during the formulating and packaging processes. By reducing leakage, controlling moisture, and avoiding breakage your packaging options become much broader. Sorbitol Special has the added benefit of reducing energy waste with a reduced drying time. More efficient operations through faster capsule production and reduction in cost.
- Effer-Soda has a surface modification of each particle to help prevent contact with water to avoid premature effervescence in both effervescent tablets and effervescent sachets again broadening your packaging options to beyond plastic and prevent product damage and waste.
- While not used in the formula, adding Intellisorb to your packaging process greatly increases your packaging possibilities to more sustainable options without the use of plastic while still maintaining control of the environment within your device or drug packaging.
How to Power Your Sustainability Story
As the last several years have put a spotlight on our environmental impact, a focus on health, and now economic uncertainty, consumers continuously are reevaluating their choices. They are more focused on the health of themselves, their family, and the environment, which means demanding more accountability and transparency from the companies they buy from. As you support their Health and Wellness journeys, share in their desire for sustainability also.
