Packaging Materials and Technologies to Achieve Sustainability Success

Despite the many benefits packaging provides to consumers, brands, and retailers, sobering statistics outline packaging’s environmental impact. With sustainability a growing concern throughout the packaging value chain, printers and converters will play an essential role in helping their constituents achieve lofty goals in reducing their environmental footprint.

Credit: NAPCO Research

A new report from NAPCO Research, sponsored by Memjet, outlines various packaging materials and their sustainability pros and cons. Of particular note are the shifting perspectives on plastic and the ways the industry is seeking to improve plastic’s circularity and reduce reliance on plastic as a packaging material.

An estimate from the World Economic Forum portrays why plastic packaging has become such a significant concern. With an estimated 141 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2015, packaging is responsible for more plastic waste than the next four biggest industrial sectors combined. While an overarching elimination of plastic from all packaging would be near impossible, examples of how easier-to-recycle paper and paperboard have emerged as viable plastic replacements.

Some examples detailed in the NAPCO Research report include Amazon’s padded paper mailer, produced by Georgia-Pacific, which can be recycled via curbside pickup, an improvement over its flexible plastic shippers. WestRock, one of the largest paperboard packaging producers, has explored plastic alternatives as well with its CanCollar, a paperboard-based replacement for ringed plastic can holders. In the personal care department, Procter & Gamble has introduced paperboard deodorant tubes for its Old Spice and Secret brands, shaking up a product line that has historically been reliant on rigid plastic.

Beyond packaging material reassessments, the report outlines how package printers and converters can improve the environmental impact of packaging production by utilizing digital printing technologies. Digital printing is an on-demand process by design, which means that these presses print the exact quantities needed, eliminating the need to produce more than necessary to reach minimum order quantities.

Additionally, with packaging safety a top-of-mind concern, particularly in the food and beverage segments, package printers are finding that innovations in inkjet technology are providing new opportunities across these key markets. However, ensuring food safety with inkjet printing requires certain chemistries to be used. Water-based, low-migration inkjet inks are one such solution and offer printers and converters the high quality and durability they need in their output.

Equipment and consumable manufacturers are rising to meet these needs. Memjet’s inkjet heads and components for example, can be complemented with aqueous ink designed for food packaging that aligns with some of the most rigorous food safety standards, including the Nestlé Guidance Note on Packaging Inks.

While these packaging industry trends will require printers and converters to alter their approach in production, being at the forefront of sustainability initiatives will be beneficial for their business. Environmental consciousness is here to stay, Marcia Kinter, VP of government and regulatory affairs for PRINTING United Alliance, explains in an article for industry publication Packaging Impressions.

“The movement by major brands to seek out and develop alternative packaging materials is evidenced by the daily announcements of new packages launched for familiar items,” Kinter observes. “The movement away from plastic to fiber-based packages, such as a paper bottle, is becoming more common. And, the question remains, how can the average package printer work to help their customer base achieve their sustainability goals?”

For answers to this important question, download the FREE report today.