4 Innovative Packaging Ideas for Your Company

You might have been running a business for years with a packaging strategy that works for your company, or you’re just starting and have no idea how to get your products to your customers. Wherever you are in your business journey, there are many techniques and changes you can implement to make your packaging more appealing, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient.

• Sustainability

Waste is indisputably the primary consequence of inefficient packaging. Companies and consumers recognize that past packaging standards did not consider the environment as a stakeholder. Most companies, if not all, are either leading the charge to find more sustainable packaging solutions or are open to updating their practices to produce less waste and pollution.

Ideally, they are striving to implement zero-waste packaging. Essentially, this method means that the materials companies wrap and ship their products in will not be discarded and sent to a landfill immediately after unboxing. Rather, they will be biodegradable or reusable. Zero-waste packaging closes the loop, allowing the materials already present on Earth to have a second life. Some companies have encapsulated the second life concept by wrapping their products in compostable containers embedded with seeds. Customers will get a product and a new plant.

When looking for zero-waste solutions, you have many options. You might opt for plant-based materials such as bamboo and cassava. They are affordable and biodegradable, allowing your company to save money on shipping supplies while ensuring environmental friendliness and customer satisfaction. You can also utilize glass, aluminum, or Bees Wrap.

One emerging and unique solution is a replacement for polystyrene, and it’s made from mushrooms. Polystyrene is non-biodegradable and often toxic to wildlife. While customers can reuse it, they will likely toss it out after the first or second use. Scientists and companies alike are testing the efficacy of creating packaging materials out of fungal mycelium and other plant products (like rice husks). The result is a flexible, sturdy, and biodegradable material that doesn’t require the use of fossil fuels in its manufacturing.

If you have to use plastics, there is a lot you can do to minimize its environmental impact. You can source recycled plastics from local suppliers. Thinning down bottles and containers also significantly reduces your waste output. Using printed labels made from biodegradable ink minimizes the temptation to use plastic labels.

Sustainability goes beyond the materials you select in your packaging. It includes the manufacturing and shipping process. Many companies strive for carbon-neutral shipping by carefully tracking their emissions and offsetting them.

• Child-Resistant

Safety is critical to all efficient packaging methods. You don’t want products to get into the wrong hand and must prevent tampering and degradation. You can utilize child-resistant packaging without sacrificing style. Suppliers can offer sleek designs on packages with non-toxic chemicals, tamper-evident tabs, and an opaque appearance to avoid light degradation and provide discretion.

• Multifunctional

What could make a customer happier than a packaging method that adds value to their purchase and unexpectedly solves common problems? Packaging can be better than good; it can be multifunctional.

Companies have developed food containers that turn into bowls. Others help customers convert boxes into attractive lampshades. Multifunctional packaging is at its highest potential when you center it around customer needs and interests. Think of the inconveniences your target audience usually faces, and develop solutions using packaging. Consumers at restaurants, for example, might have a hard time carrying all the to-go food products they’ve purchased. Using bags is one solution, but it contributes to the waste problem. These restaurants might boost the functionality of their food containers by compartmentalizing them. Rather than separate items into individual boxes, they can add compartments within each container, making it easier for consumers to carry their entire order in fewer containers.

• Personal

You can make packaging and unboxing a meaningful part of your customer experience by adding personal touches. Depending on your company’s scope, you might include custom notes, thanking your market, and establishing rapport and trust between brand and consumer. Some companies, like Lush, tell the stories behind which individuals made the products. This approach lifts the veil between producer and consumer. It gives the consumer insight into where brands source their products and builds empathy. You might include giveaways and discount codes in packages to add more value to your customers.

Conclusion

You have the opportunity to increase the sustainability and safety of your company’s packaging process while making containers that meet customer needs and improve their experience with your brand. Through intentionally and locally sourcing packaging materials and offsetting emissions, you’ll reduce your company’s negative impact on the environment. With multifunctional and personalized constructions, you’ll set yourself apart from the competition and gain a loyal customer base.