The world is changing rapidly and every thing that we see today are either already sustainable or on the way to sustainability. Gone are the days when plastics ruled every field. For a number of decades now, the plastics have been in use but today, we as the inhabitants of the planet Earth have realized that the use of plastics is causing a number of problems. So, using sustainable items which are strong, durable and at the same time eco- friendly in nature is in trend and also the need of the hour. The packaging industry is not left untouched from this trend and therefore this industry too has shifted to the sustainable and eco- friendly materials. So, today, in this article we will discuss what are these packaging materials, how these packaging materials are made and understand how these materials are making a positive impact on our environment.
The Eco- Friendly Evolution
Leaving behind the plastic carrier bags and postage bags have become the new trend now. Not only do they save the environment that we live in but also, they keep our surroundings clean and free from litter as the biodegradable and eco- friendly packaging materials degrade easily in the environment. So, lets discuss what are the various kinds of packaging materials and how are they sustainably made which makes them eco- friendly in nature.
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Paper packaging
Most recognizable and widely used packaging material is paper. This packaging material has been in use for centuries now and guess what? They have always been an eco- friendly choice. The process of making paper is simple and it has extensive usage. The process of making paper starts from the extraction of wood fibres from sustainable forest option for example evergreen forests or from forests managed under forestry programmes where they grow trees which have a fast re- growth. The actual beauty of this packaging material lies in the fact that it can be moulded into any shape and cut into any size depending on the requirement. This also makes it the best option for making of other packaging products too such as paper bags, etc. So, for people aiming for a clean and green environment, this is a go to option with zero carbon footprint and completely biodegradable in nature.
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Biodegradable plastics
Plastics have always been one of the most reliable packaging materials in the industry but, they do not decompose for over 100 years and this becomes the ultimate reason why they shouldn’t be used. But, don’t worry off late the industry has started embracing biodegradable plastics. These plastics are made from renewable resources like cornstarch and sugarcane and this makes it the most sustainable alternative.
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Glass- the timeless classic
Glass is although not a new material in the packaging industry but its importance is now more appreciated than ever by the packaging suppliers and consumers as well. The reason behind why glass has maintained its importance is that glass is 100 percent recyclable in nature. It can be easily melted down and can be formed into required shapes again and again and the best part is that in this process the glass does not lose it quality or purity which prevents the loss of the material too. The process of making glass involve melting sand, soda ash and limestone at high temperatures which is then followed by moulding and reshaping them to create jars, bottles and other such containers. Packing materials in glass not only maintains the quality of the product by also increases the aesthetic appeal which makes it the first choice for packing makeup products and cosmetics.
Summing Up
Driven by the need of sustainability, packaging industry is in the need of transformation. A transformation which is sustainable and at the same time strong, sturdy and durable. The use of materials such as sugarcane fibres, bagasse, trees from evergreen forests, etc have brought about a considerable change in the packaging industry. Alao the process used to make these packaging supplies such as postage bag, etc from these materials are eco- friendly in nature which ensures that there is minimal impact on the environment. So, its time to say goodbye to those products leaving carbon footprints and welcome the sustainable future.
