Consumer concerns about the sustainability of the brands they favor and the products they buy are demonstrated by the dollars they spend. In one study, two-thirds of respondents said it’s important to them that packaging is recyclable. Not only did 57% of buyers say they’d be less likely to buy products in harmful packaging, 86% of consumers under 45 said they’d be willing to pay more for products in sustainable packaging.
Between consumer dollars favoring brands that offer more sustainable packaging and avoiding brands that fail to make the grade, real money is on the line. That means a conscious, focused effort to promote environmental responsibility is crucial for brands hoping to keep up with the market. How can you tell if your packaging will hold up to consumer scrutiny? Here are three areas to focus on.
Sustainable Materials
The most visible sign of a brand’s commitment to eco-friendliness is the packaging material the consumer sees in front of them on the shelf—not to mention the layers upon layers of plastic wrapping and padding underneath that outer packaging. Wasteful packaging, overpackaging and nonsustainable materials can put a lie to any brand’s claims of being environmentally responsible. Minimizing plastic waste and focusing on materials that are not just recyclable but easily recyclable for consumers underscores a commitment to sustainability.
Carow’s glass bottles are made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, which is 100% recyclable without any degradation in quality. We also offer PCR options for many of our closures. Our polypropylene pumps and screw caps—an extremely adaptable material that can be recycled into many other options—are recognized and accepted by most residential recycling programs in the U.S.
Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Processes
Popular demand for responsible, sustainable production doesn’t stop at your door—savvy consumers are doing their research to make sure the brands they use follow sustainable practices at all points along the supply chain. In one study, 32% of consumers said their trust in a brand would be improved by a transparent, environmentally responsible supply chain, and 34% said independent third-party verification was important.
Carow partners with many B Corps—corporations certified for their social and environmental performance—and other companies with sustainability pledges that mirror our own commitment to environmental responsibility. We manufacture our products at locations that have pledged to reduce water usage and carbon emissions. We have bottle suppliers that are certified by EcoVadis—one of the most respected sources for global sustainability ratings.
And just as we demand sustainability from our manufacturing partners, we can provide compliance documentation to our clients to support their eco-friendly certifications.
Overseas Manufacturing and Shipping
Even the most sustainability-minded brand, with the most eco-friendly materials and responsible manufacturing processes, can struggle with environmental responsibility in moving their products from point A to point B. Global shipping is a major contributor to environmental damage—ocean shipping alone accounts for approximately 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Sourcing your packaging onshore helps avoid the environmental harm of overseas shipping. Carow Packaging manufactures many dropper caps and pipettes inside the U.S. —in fact, we’re the only U.S.-based manufacturer of EuroDrop® caps and inserts. With domestic shipping and local production, our EuroDrop line aligns with our clients’ sustainability initiatives and improves their environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) scores.
Sustainable Packaging for a Sustainable Bottom Line
Consumers take sustainability seriously and they demand the brands they support also take it seriously. To compete in an increasingly eco-conscious market, you need a packaging partner who will make your sustainability needs a priority. To learn more about eco-friendly packaging that underscores your ESG goals and satisfies your consumers’ desire for a more sustainable lifestyle, call one of our Solutions Specialists at 815-455-4600.
