Packaging and sustainability: the road to a lower carbon footprint.

For years, the terms sustainability and carbon footprint reduction have been talked about. But what do these terms really mean and how do you make sure you can actually implement them in your daily operations?

Sustainability literally means ‘making sustainable’, which means reducing your impact on the environment. To achieve this, the carbon footprint needs to be reduced. This means reducing in the amount of greenhouse emissions created by an entity's activities. Lowering your carbon footprint is a challenge, but with the right information, choices and support, it is an achievable goal.

Around packaging, many laws and regulations are being discussed to reduce environmental impact. For instance, the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is emerging within the EU. These regulations aim to reduce packaging waste, limit harmful substances such as PFAS, apply recycled materials, promote the reuse of materials and ensure that packaging is easily recyclable.

In addition, the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) scheme has been in place for several years. This scheme was tightened in early 2024 and includes a waste management fee to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste and encourage more sustainable use of materials.

These new standards are slowly being implemented over the years. But how can you ensure that your packaging complies with these new standards?

Choice of material

Paper or plastic packaging: which is less environmentally damaging? The answer is not simple, as neither material is ‘better’ than the other. The environmental impact depends on the product to be packaged and the whole life cycle of the packaging, from the production of the material to its disposal and function. If you choose a material with the lowest carbon footprint, but this reduces the shelf life of the product, you should carefully consider whether this is the right choice. In the future, these choices will be based more on data and insights, enabling a more informed decision.

Reducing material

Less packaging material means less waste that can pollute the environment. Reducing the thickness (micron or grammage) of packaging materials can significantly reduce waste without sacrificing functionality and protection.

Minimalist design is an effective way to reduce material use. This involves designing packaging to be functional and attractive with as little material as possible. This can be done by using simpler textures, less colour and ink, and by eliminating unnecessary components, the starting point being that the packaging should be easily recyclable.

By following these steps, companies can make their packaging more environmentally conscious and contribute to a lower carbon footprint, ultimately having a positive impact on the environment and future generations.

Efficient logistics

Efficient logistics is crucial but often overlooked when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. By making your logistics planning as efficient as possible, for example by fully utilising containers, planning your route as efficiently as possible and producing products locally, you can significantly reduce the number of kilometres driven. This not only has a positive impact on the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it can also reduce operational costs. In addition, efficient logistics ensures that goods can be delivered faster and more reliably, increasing customer satisfaction. By planning smart routes and using technologies such as route optimisation and telematics, you can achieve further efficiency gains. Finally, a well-planned logistics operation contributes to a more sustainable corporate image, which is increasingly important in a market where consumers increasingly value eco-friendly practices.