Greener Packaging Alternatives

Sustainability is often the priority topic of conversations when we’re discussing packaging solutions with our retail clients. Zoe Brimelow, Brand Director at Duo UK shares the range of more sustainable packaging solutions available to help retailers lower their impact on the environment in an article with A1 Retail Magazine.

Retailers and brands must make the switch to greener packaging alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint and to meet the growing expectations of eco-conscious consumers. A1 Retail Magazine rounds up a range of more sustainable packaging solutions to help retailers lower their impact on the environment.

Zoe Brimelow, Brand Director at Duo UK commented, “Growing eCommerce sales have been responsible for accelerating a shift in packaging perspectives among consumers, brands and retailers. Shoppers are actively thinking about the choice of packaging materials used by companies and how this reflects corporate brand values and environmental commitments. It’s often the case that sustainability is the priority topic of conversation when we’re discussed packaging solutions with retailers. There’s a genuine eagerness to reduce carbon emissions.

However, this enthusiasm can tent to prioritise a packaging material’s end-of-life options which reinforces ‘single-use’ messaging. We need to shift the focus to the whole packaging lifecycle in order to prioritise re-usability, reduce material wastage and our reliance on virgin materials. Focusing on the role of packaging throughout the entire supply chain ensures consideration is given to all performance criteria and requirements, rather than just recyclability. It’s an approach that scrutinises all the possible hazards during storage, handling, and distribution, which can contribute to improved sustainability.

Last year we completed a trial with retailer N Brown Group using our GreenPE despatch bags, made from a thermoplastic sustainable resin derived from sugarcane, that’s lightweight and durable as well as being renewable and recyclable.
In March 2021, N Brown launched the GreenPE despatch bags replacing 90% of its packaging and is expecting to reach 100% by the end of the year. The retailer’s sustainable GreenPE despatch bags will save an estimated 112 tonnes of carbon per annum and are also reusable as they feature a twin glue strip as well as recyclable.