Spotted: Marisan in 'Doe maar Duurzaam'!
Eco-awareness is on the rise
To the question "Would you like a bag?", consumers answered "yes!" without batting an eyelid until recently. Now they increasingly ask what happens to packaging after use and how it is disposed of. Consumers are thus becoming more and more environmentally aware and looking for ways to reduce their footprint. Companies are also thinking more often about the renewability of their packaging.
Sustainability pitfalls
"The biggest pitfall? Thinking that packaging made from a natural material is also sustainable anyway. It is a bit more complex than that. Packaging should be looked at in its entirety: from production to the end of its life cycle. "
So not merely examining the sustainability of the raw materials used is the message. After all, the production process and the end phase must also be environmentally friendly. Only then can you call a product truly sustainable.
In search of better and more ecological
A profound evolution is noticeable in the world of packaging. There is a continuous search for better, more ecological materials, which is a challenging process. It is constantly weighing up whether existing materials can be used in new applications or whether new materials have to be developed for traditional applications. And vice versa.
"We always have to consider how the product will be finally processed. How will it be recycled and can a new product possibly be created from it afterwards?"
Surprising alternatives
That search has already yielded some surprising materials as raw materials. Just think of paper carrier bags made of straw fibres, for example. In addition, fallen leaves from trees or even banana leaves are an excellent alternative.
"In the production of labels, a shift is also noticeable. Increasingly, biodegradable inks and adhesives that leave no trace in the environment are finding their way into label production."
Together against global warming!
Meanwhile, a classic carrier bag, but made of natural raw materials, already removes more CO2 from the air than it emits during the production process. So every bag already contributes a little to the fight against global warming. However, the packaging world also wants to make long-term efforts to combat global warming.
"We need to think differently about producing and consuming in order to push back CO2 emissions. We are already doing this by, among other things, using materials with an 'I'm Green' label (made with renewable resources instead of oil)."
Together towards a sustainable future!
Curious about the full interview? Watch it here.
So ecological and sustainable packaging is about much more than just the end product. We are constantly looking for innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to make the transition to a circular world. Would you like to contribute to a more sustainable future yourself? Contact us for a sustainable packaging proposal tailored to your company via info@marisan.be or +32 9 232 06 16.