Sustainability in the plastics and packaging sector

Sustainability is becoming more than a best practice for the plastics and packaging industry. Consumers, retailers and governments are pushing for more eco-friendly solutions, creating commercial pressure on plastic and packaging companies.

This shift is driven by increased consumer awareness of environmental issues, ambitious sustainability targets set by major retailers, and evolving government regulations regarding waste and recycling.

To remain competitive and meet these growing expectations, packaging companies are increasingly assessing their internal operations.

Related: How agriculture talent can support your ESG initiatives

Responding effectively to these external demands requires tangible and impactful internal efforts. While the options available are as varied as the products offered on the market, a few key strategies to consider include conducting thorough Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), supply chain assessments, optimizing packaging weight/size and practicing transparent communication.

• LCAs: Conducting an LCA in a manufacturing environment involves evaluating the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire lifecycle. This systematic approach helps organizations identify, quantify and minimize negative effects on the environment while optimizing resource use and efficiency.

• Supply chain assessment: Assessing your supply chain against leading sustainability initiatives ensures a comprehensive approach to sustainability. By aligning supplier efforts with your corporate sustainability initiatives, you reinforce a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term business success.

• Packaging size and weight: Many companies are focusing on optimizing packaging size and weight to minimize material use and transportation emissions, investing in sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce their environmental footprint and fostering strong collaboration within their supply chains to promote sustainable practices across the value chain. These evaluations often identify legacy profit leaks and yield solid returns.

• Communication: Practicing transparent communication about sustainability efforts is crucial for building trust with stakeholders. In recent years, we’ve seen organizations increasingly hire consultants to evaluate internal sustainability efforts while guiding communication to the market. Communication through website content, package label content or press releases can be effective tools for organizations to spread awareness of what they are doing on the sustainability front.

Through the adoption of initiatives like these, companies can position themselves for long-term success in the evolving market. While mitigating regulatory risk and bringing innovation in areas of materials and technology, these actions also can meet customer expectations and enhance brand reputation.

Moreover, optimizing operations with an eye towards sustainability often leads to improved efficiency and cost savings. Embracing sustainability is no longer just a responsible choice but a strategic advantage for companies seeking to differentiate themselves and thrive in the future.

Are you seeing interesting developments regarding sustainability in the plastics and packaging industry? We want to hear about it! Contact Jesse Warnke at (336) 217-9102 or jesse.warnke@charlesaris.com.