Packaging protects products from breakage, spoilage, and contamination, which makes them essential. Unfortunately, most packaging materials harm the environment, especially those made of plastic. This is a serious problem every business – no matter its size, scope, or agenda – ought to attempt to tackle and be aware of. It is high time for both companies and consumers to work on and implement initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. At DisplayBG, all our practices are environmentally friendly, and our packaging is 100% sustainable.
Negative environmental impact
Firstly, let’s define negative environmental impact. Negative environmental impact includes:
– The overuse of packaging materials
– The waste that is generated throughout production and wrapping
– The emissions generated during production and disposal.
Mitigating all of the above is extremely important for a cleaner planet and being responsible towards human health.
Plastic waste in particular is one of the biggest factors contributing to the environmental crisis we are facing. Other packaging materials negatively contribute as well. To better understand what these harmful effects are, let’s explore the three primary stages of the lifecycle of most means of packaging.
Inception and Production
The problem with most packaging materials usually starts at their inception. Crafting various types of packaging necessitates resource allocation and energy consumption. Consequently, this process emits heavy metals and greenhouse gases which damage the quality of air. The manufacturing process involved in the production of packaging materials leads to toxic waste in sources of water.
Logistics
It’s not solely the overproduction of packaging that damages the environment. Transportation also leads to harmful emissions entering the atmosphere. Airplanes, vessels, and trucks need fuel for the transportation of packaging materials from one location to the next. Although we can’t entirely forgo transportation services, there are many things we can do to better the process and make it more sustainable.
Waste Disposal
The final phase of the lifecycle of packaging revolves around its transformation into waste. All types of packaging greatly contribute to pollution, but plastic, when not disposed of correctly, poses a particularly severe threat. Improperly discarded plastic waste contaminates streets and oceans, putting birds and marine life at risk.
In 2016 alone, an estimated 23 million metric tons of plastic waste found its way into the ocean, leaving aquatic animals and birds entangled, stuck, or them mistakenly consuming it. Unfortunately, these statistics are on the rise.
Growth
There are many advantages to incorporating eco-friendly packaging materials into your practices leading to positive change for your business. Adjustments simultaneously benefit the environment and your business – bettering your brand’s reputation, enhancing efficiency, reducing expenses, and ultimately boosting profits. Embracing sustainability in business is an essential step towards long-term growth. Change requires consistent efforts from businesses and consumers towards sustainable practices.
Choose DisplayBG
If you’re considering incorporating sustainable advertising displays, boxes, POS materials or packaging into your operations, let’s connect. Our experts are on hand to address your inquiries and assist you in selecting the most suitable products.