Sustainable Packaging options for NZ Business

Picture of a dolphin strangled by pieces of plastic is my worst nightmare. Unfortunately, this is not a nightmare which one can avoid. It is an awful reality which will strangle all life from this planet we call earth. Plastic is killing the earth, and this awakening has lead to ban of plastic shopping bags. But this is not enough, and we need to do more.

Plastic-free packaging option is the next target. Many argue that plastic is the need for easy transportation and preservation of product from atmospheric aberrations. But there are numerous options available which can be environment-friendly, durable and with excellent preservation capabilities. The focus has only been on plastic for the past 3-4 decades.

The present-day mantra is to develop a business plan without creating too much of a carbon footprint. If all the business companies worldwide can be more environmentally responsible and conscious, then this world can be saved. And this has to be done now as it is already too late. Plastic-free options in packaging are vitally important as they cause maximum damage.

Biodegradable Product Packaging can be researched and introduced in a large scale manner. Just as printed office stationery has taken a back seat with the advent of emails and online communications. New Zealand is a country which strongly supports environment-friendly venture and knows the importance of saving this earth at any cost.

New Zealand is a small country with a very delicate ecological balance, and it has to be protected and preserved intricately. But can this low economy sustain the financial pressure of eco-friendly plastic-free packaging which can be expensive and sometimes hard to get. Here are some eco-friendly packaging ideas which can be introduced in New Zealand without too much burden on the financial aspects. There is a great demand for biodegradable material, exceptionally durable, temperature resistant and easy to recycle.

Here are some exciting alternatives to plastic-free packaging which are environment-friendly :

Card Board Packaging

There are several benefits of using cardboard packaging. It is cheap and easy to shape. Cardboard packaging is convenient to ship. The boxes and packages can be sealed and taped tightly without tearing. It can absorb moisture and keeps the products inside safe and dry. The material is easy to recycle and can be used again and again. There are numerous varieties from thick and hardy to soft and paper-thin which can be used as required. Cardboard is also flexible and can mould into shapes. Finally, there are compressing machine which can render cardboard boxes onto small balls, which makes it easy to dispose of.

So cardboard packaging is one of the best options of different kind of products like electronics, medicines, cosmetics and even dry food items.

Glass Packaging

Glass packaging used in beverages and glass packaging is a boon with packaging qualities. Plastic bottles often lead to chemicals seeping into the juices and drinks. Glass bottles are healthy and safe options, which is maintaining the flavours of the drinks. It is safe in terms of any chemical leakage or contamination. Glass bottles and containers can mould into most creative and aesthetic shapes which can be recycled again and again infinitely. Even the recycling process is cheap and easy, without too many efforts. Glass never loses its shape or gets distorted. Now the particular glass is being manufactured which is unbreakable and durable

Bamboo Packaging

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on this earth. As packaging material it is long-lasting, robust and environmentally friendly. As it grows fast, it renews rapidly and can give a great source of material for packaging. Bamboo is very adaptable and multi-facets. From sheets to a pulp, it can be moulded into any shape and requirements. Bamboo packaging can compost easily and quickly into the soil benefiting the plant life. Bamboo packaging has immense strength and quite durable. The long-lasting quality can help to create packages which can be shipped to long distances keeping the consignment within safe and protected.

Jute Packaging

Jute is the oldest packaging material in the world used for centuries. It is amoung the most popular material as it is very cheap and easy to procure. Jute is a natural fibre and very easy and quick to biodegrade into compost. It can also be recycled without too much expense. Jute packaging is robust, with excellent moisture absorption and ventilation qualities. Jute is a material that is very versatile and can be used in numerous ways. Bags are the most common packaging option. But apart from that, jute fibres can also be utilised to make paper sheets, wrappers, cloth bags, sacks and even cartons.

Coconut Packaging

Coconut is the new revolutionary packaging material generated from discarded waste. Coconut husk and shells are often thrown away and discarded. These can be processed into sheets and other material required for packaging. The coconut shells are fire and insect resistant. They also absorb moisture, which makes them ideal for packaging requirements. Amazing boxes and containers can be created from the coconut husk pulp, which is very food-friendly. An additional benefit from coconut packaging is the increased income to coconut farmers from something which was left to rot. So coconut packaging works in multiple ways safeguarding the environment.

Plastic-free packaging is catching on rapidly. But for a business, especially a New Zealand business – there is the question of business viability. Does it offer a cost-effective solution? Since New Zealand is a very environmentally conscious country, then the above options are indeed very effective solutions. Not only it is benefiting the planet, but it also gives us an opportunity to give back to Mother Earth. In the long run, these environment-friendly packaging solutions will help the business as further restrictions for plastic use come into effect. There might be a bit of research and exploring needed to source such packages, but it will be hugely beneficial to the health of the business and earth.