Design Solutions for Sustainable Retail Packaging

For many years now, ‘recycle, reuse, reduce’ has seemingly been at the centre of the endeavour for sustainable development. This mantra attempts to encourage consumers to try and recycle the component parts of a product after it has reached the end of its life, reduce the amount of materials used and extend the products life by reusing the same. In order for a solution to be identified in making retail packaging more sustainable, designers of packaging products must rethink their approach and should always be on the lookout for alternative, more sustainable materials. 

Considerations by package designers looking to make sustainable products should include:


Maximising Energy & Water Efficiency

In order to reduce the amount of energy and water utilised during the manufacturing process without making it costly or compromising the performance of the end product, designers may consider changing the production process or the materials used in production. 


Minimising Materials

One of the simplest ways of establishing a more sustainable practice is to reduce materials. Reducing the amount of materials used in the production process can be achieved by making optimal use of a combination of tertiary, secondary and/or primary materials. Where possible, the total amount of packaging used with a product should be reduced, however should not be taken away altogether with perhaps a greater focus on the functional role of packaging - being to ensure goods are protected from spoilage and damage. The World Packaging Organisation says that not using packaging would result with more waste from damaged goods than any items which could be saved through avoiding the use of packaging. The goal, according to the organisation, should be the ‘right strength’ and ‘right size’ packaging rather than none at all.


Use of Recycled Materials 

The packaging industry’s footprint can be reduced via use of a greater volume of recycled materials that can be designed into the manufacture of packaging - this being due to recycled materials producing less greenhouse emissions because they use less energy than virgin materials.


Use of Renewable Materials 

Designers should strive to maximise the use of renewable sources and materials such as bio polymers, card and paper in the manufacture of retail packaging products. Reducing energy use can only be achieved by finding ways to use renewable materials, this making for a major contribution towards a more sustainable industry and saving precious natural resources.


Materials from Reasonable Suppliers

Where possible, materials should be sourced from companies who have a commitment to environmental sustainability. Documented environment management systems should be used as sources for purchasing packaging materials, aided by certification schemes that make the task easier for businesses looking for the right supplier.


Design for Reuse

Where appropriate, packaging designed to be reused can make significant saving’s in raw material and energy usage, however, complete reuse of a packaging product is extremely rare in today’s market - meaning recovery for recycling provides much more promising chances for sustainable packaging designers.


Designing for Recovery

Companies that make use of recyclable materials when designing their packaging and offer consumers with appropriate recycling information are leaders in making a positive contribution towards the maximisation of recycling and recovery rates. Despite this, there are a number of common packaging items like crisp bags, toothpaste tubes and take-away pizza boxes that cannot be recycled as they are difficult to reuse come the end of first usage.