Increasing awareness about environmental concerns among consumers and industries are primarily increasing the growth of the sustainable packaging market. The green packaging market registered a value of USD 224.92 billion in 2018 and is expected to be 297 billion in 2024 to register a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period 2019-2024. Sustainable packaging includes using resources and processes to create packaging that reduces the carbon footprint of the entire lifecycle.
This has become the need of the hour for both the consumers and producers. The jeopardy of future generations is in our hands. If we’re careful with our methods a better quality of life can be given to them. In the first part of this series, we bring forth 5 companies who have successfully incorporated sustainable packaging solutions.
An article published in The Guardian in 2011 states- “Puma is the world’s first major company to put a value on its environmental impact.”
Sustainability is a key value of PUMA and guides our company to work faster towards a more just and sustainable future.-Bjørn Gulden, CEO, Puma
One of the remarkable packagings that Puma introduced is the “Clever Little Bag.” This packaging significantly reduced materials as well as supply chain logistics.
This packaging reduced cardboard use by 65 % over its traditional red-box packaging. It doesn’t require assembling and is capable of saving the following-
The company has implemented ambitious targets for reducing packaging material. It has expanded its role as “Better Work Program” in the industry working groups such as -
As per Puma’s financial report for 2017, following are the remarkable milestones in the company’s sustainable approaches:
The Lego Group is a leading plastic construction toy manufacturing company. They have made literal waves in trying to do their bit to help out the environment.
The Lego Group aims at creating a positive impact on society with its environmental concerns. They also care for waste management and believe in the philosophy -
Future generations should also benefit from the same variety of materials and resources as we do.
LEGO is ambitious towards completely replacing single-use disposable plastics by sustainably sourced bio-based materials.
Some prominent aspects of LEGO packaging are-
To support our company mission, we have a Planet Promise and we have pledged to play our part in protecting the planet for future generations. Using sustainable packaging is an important part of fulfilling that promise.-Tim Brooks, Vice President Environmental Responsibility, The Lego Group
Furthermore, the company is partners with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) towards its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing and supply chain.
In 2017, LEGO successfully achieved its ambition to balance 100% of its energy use with energy from renewable sources.
KFC is the second-largest restaurant chain with more than 43,000 outlets in 123 countries. They have committed that all consumer-facing packaging that is plastic-based will recoverable and reusable by 2025.
It doesn’t matter how much you know unless you know how much you care.-Greg Creed, CEO, Yum! Brands
The company believes in reducing environmental footprint by –
KFC, now a subsidiary of Yum! Brands aim at purchasing 100 % paper-based packaging for all its products by 2020.More than 98.8 % of KFC US’s paper-based retail packaging certifies the responsibly sourced criteria. Except for drinks and desserts, most of the KFC packaging for both takeaways and in-house consumption are paper-based. KFC uses dining wares (e.g. clamshells, plates, and bowls) made from sugar-cane and bamboo instead of petroleum-based material. Also, the company is trying to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic in its outlets across the world.
Dell, a technology solution provider, ships about 8.4 units of computer and peripherals per second. Therefore, the company cares to design efficient packaging and shipping processes, along with reducing material packaging waste.
When you’re delivering what your customers want, saving money and helping the planet — we call that good business.-Jeff Clarke, Vice Chairman, Products & Operations, Dell Inc.
The 3 Cs are the important aspects of packaging at Dell.
Scientists estimate that by 2050, there would be more plastic in the sea than fish. Partnering with Lonely Whale, Dell participates in a program called NextWave to develop the first-ever commercial-scale ocean-bound plastics supply chain. The program participants anticipate that by using this plastic source, they would be able to divert 5 million pounds of plastics from entering the ocean in the coming 5 years.
Companies like General Motors, Trek Bicycle, Interface, Van de Sant, Humanscale, Bureo and Herman Miller are working together with Dell for a sustainable future.
Frito-Lay understands that packaging plays an important role in protecting the quality of the product. But, at the same time, the company feels it is also their responsibility to contribute to a quality life by conserving the environment.
Frito-Lay believes in a philosophy of 3 R-
The company has incorporated these practices within its manufacturing and supply units and encourages the consumers for the same.
Frito-Lay along with the parent company PepsiCo has set Performance with Purpose (PwP) 2025 agenda to design Recyclable and biodegradable packaging.The company also thrives to use recycled material in packaging to reduce carbon impact.
The notable Frito-Lay packaging initiatives are-
Today, we’re more dedicated to Performance with Purpose than ever before and we’re harnessing the power of our global scale to drive meaningful change across countries and continents.-Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo
These are five of the brands who have successfully incorporated sustainable packaging with their products. In the next part of this series, we will discuss the sustainability approach adopted by companies like P&G, HUL, H&M, Apple, and Philips. Companies are making a valuable contribution not only to raise the stakes of innovation but also to have a sustainable future of the planet.
Is your packaging sustainable? How? Let us know in the comments below.