Innovative Sustainability in Packaging
The packaging industry is constantly changing and developing innovative solutions!
Packaging Zen provides the latest insights on packaging. We analyze the common types of packaging,
publish relevant articles, identify trends, and promote sustainability. We are continuously exploring product applications that can assist you in your research and development.
Sustainability in packaging continues to be a focus for many companies. Finding sustainable solutions that are cost effective is always a challenge. Consumers are driving change with many big brands by making buying decisions based on the sustainable nature of a products packaging. Have you thought about what message you are sending to your customer via your packaging choices?
Packaging Zen provides you with a centralized resource for data and research so you can make informed decisions on the types of packaging you use. We believe that the more informed the individuals in charge of packaging are the more sustainable packaging solutions will be adopted. Every sustainable choice benefits the environment. It really is that simple!
ABOUT
In modern cultures to create Zen indicates an aim to create calm through a controlled plan during chaotic times. The packaging industry is chaotic. Raw material cost fluctuations drive daily price changes. Corrugated manufacturers predominately quote by the job with prices valid for a couple weeks. Product innovation drives constant change. It is an industry that is evolving quickly from a sales structure of direct manufacturers reps or distribution commissioned sales reps into the digital age.
We aim to assist you in creating your own Packaging Zen through education, information, and tools for individuals involved with the packaging of products. We share insight directly with buyers that empower individuals to be their company's packaging expert!
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a buyer for a large corporation, a packaging designer or engaged in new product development, our community provides you the real-time data you need to make informed decisions.
Product packaging typically represents a small portion of the overall cost of a product. This is typically about 9% of cost and it's main purpose is to protect the product until your customer receives it. This percentage can escalate quickly if the packaging is designed to be part of the marketing and presentation of the product in addition to protection. So while this is a small portion of a company's overall product cost, it is a critical component to delivering your product to your customer in just manufactured condition and thus a key to the financial health of your organization.
The world has seen a lot of changes in the last 20 years. In 1998 cell phones were still a rarity, self-driving cars just a concept, and the internet was just starting to catch on. In 1998 only 41% of Americans where using the internet compared to 89% in 2018. Google was born in 1998. The internet has changed how we do everything. Social media has taken over! Smart phones are a virtual necessity and almost everyone has one.
Amidst all these changes there have been numerous innovations in packaging products and designs, but the industry itself has lagged behind in how it shares knowledge, distributes products and interacts with customers.
Packaging Zen is designed to meet the changing needs of companies today. We share information directly with individual's who procure packaging for companies. This empowers the buyer to create a powerful, sustainable supply chain for their organization. We give you the tools and insight needed to do your own tests, formulate your own strategies and cut out layers in the supply chain where it makes sense for your company. We help you design a customized road map for your supply chain management plan.
We believe in encouraging the use of environmentally friendly packaging along with recycling, reuse, and repurpose programs for products that are not biodegradable. By encouraging companies directly producing products to think about the environmental impact of packaging during the design and selection process, along with considering how their customers will perceive their packaging's recyclability, we believe buyers will make more sustainable choices. We encourage buyers to add a measurement metric to their management reporting regarding sustainability even if it is not part of your job description today.
Our Charities page highlights numerous organizations focused on conserving natural resources and the environment. Please check out our tips on a variety of ways you can get involved in promoting environmentally friendly packaging. Participating in a charity that benefits the environment is something your customer's will appreciate! Social media is a great place to share your efforts!
SUSTAINABILITY
The three pillars of sustainability are social, environment, and economics. These three pillars are informally referred to as people, planet, and profits. A sustainable product provides environmental, social and economic benefits while respecting public health, welfare, and environment over their full life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to final disposal. Common questions in assessing a product's sustainability can include:.
1. What is the product made of?
2. Are the materials sustainable?
3. How does the way the items are manufactured impact the environment?
4. Is the product bio-degradable?
5. Is the item reusable or recyclable?
Consider developing your own scorecard on how you plan to measure product sustainability.
The 3 R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle - all help to cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space, and energy. Plus, the three R's save land and money communities must use to dispose of waste in landfills.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
REDUCE - The concept of reducing seems somewhat counter-intuative to companies who are manufacturing products to sell to consumers. You may argue that your primary packaging is part of the promotion or selling of your product. While this may be true, consumers also evaluate if the item mirrors their values. By evaluating ways to reduce consumer packaging and sharing that message with customers, you promote your reduction efforts.
Here are some examples:
Changes in your manufacturing process that reduces energy. Reducing energy helps the environment by decreasing power plant emissions. To generate electricity most plower plants burn coal, crude, or other fossil fuels.
Changes in your manufacturing process that reduce water consumption. Water-efficiency measures can reduce water and sewer cost substantially. Significant savings in energy, chemical, and maintenance expenses are also possible.
Reducing the overall amount of packaging for your product.
Converting to a more Eco-friendly or sustainable type of packaging.
Consider packaging your product in a reusable containers.
Types of Packaging
Primary Packaging is the packaging in direct contact with the product and is sometimes call retail or consumer packaging. The main purpose of primary packaging is to protect and/or preserve, contain and inform the consumer. Examples include the bottle, cap and label for cosmetics.
Primary Packaging
Secondary Packaging is intended to protect not only the product, but also the primary packaging, which often is packaging most visible to the consumer in retail displays. Examples include corrugated and plastic cartons along with
Secondary Packaging
Tertiary Packaging is typically not seen by the consumer. Examples include master corrugated cartons, pallets, and stretch film to ship larger quantities of the product to a store or distributor.
Tertiary Packaging
BEFORE PACKAGE DESIGN
Before you design your packaging we recommend you start at the end of the buying cycle. The moment when your customer buys or receives delivery of your product. How do you want them to feel and what messages do you want to share. Do you want your packaging to be sustainable and are you going to share this information? If your packaging is recyclable is it marked as such? Are there other steps that you can take in your package design to encourage recycling? Can your shipping carton double as your primary packaging to reduce the amount of packaging you use? Do you want to promote your waste stream reduction decisions on your packaging? How will your package be shipped - bulk to a store/distributor or via small parcel service? Shipping costs and damage claims are impacted directly by your packaging choices. Set a budget before you select a packaging material and use the budget to guide your choices. Considering these questions before you begin the design process will help you get the most from your investment.
COMMON PACKAGING MATERIALS
What type of packaging is right for your product?
GLASS - BOTTLES, JARS, JUGS, VIALS
Blown Glass Containers | AC Containers | Boston Round Containers | Economy Containers | Food Containers | French Square Containers | Hex Containers | Jug Containers | Beverage Containers | Wide Mouth Packer Containers | Vials | Ampoules | Wine Bottles | Milk Bottles | Beer Bottles | Soda Bottles |
ALUMINUM - CANS, BOTTLES, TUBES
Aluminum Beverage Cans | Aluminum Beverage Bottles | Aluminum Tubes | Aluminum Capsules | Aluminum Trays | Aluminum Foils | Aluminum Foil Closures | Aluminum Pouches | Aluminum Sachets | Aluminum Cartons
PLASTIC - RIGID PLASTIC PACKAGING, FLEXIBLE PLASTIC PACKAGING
Bottles | Clamshells | Thermoform | Stretch Film | Shrink Film | Pallet Wrap | Stand Up Pouches | Spouted Stand Up Pouches | Coffee Bags | Bin Liners | Stretch Hooder Film | Hazmat Bags | Bags on-a-roll | Pallet Covers | Netting Polyethylene (PE) Film & Bags | Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Film & Bags | Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Film and Bags | Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) Film & Bags | High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Film, Bottles & Bags | Cast Polypropylene (CPP) Film & Bags | Oriented Polypropylene (OPP) Film & Bags | Metalized Polyester (METPET) Film & Bags | Metalized Oriented Polypropylene (METOPP) | Polyester (PET) | Nylon (NYL) | Paper Poly Foil Poly (PPFP) | Film Foil Laminations (FFL) | Sealant Additives & Coatings - Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA) , Metallocene, Surlyn, Ethylene (Vinyl Alcohol - EAA), Poly (Vinylidene Chloride - PVDC | Poly Extrusion Lamination (PEL) | HDPE Plastic Flat Top Cans with Metal Cap | HDPE Plastic Heavy-Duty Cans with Brush Cap | HDPE Plastic UN Rated Leakproof Jerry Cans with Tamper-Evident Cap | Plastic Reusable Coin Collection Cans | HDPE Plastic Jerry Cans with Tamper Evident Cap
CORRUGATED - BOXES, SHEETS, PALLETS
Corrugated boxes are the most commonly used form of transport packaging . An estimated 95% of North American consumer goods are transported around the world in corrugated boxes.
Choosing and sourcing the right box starts with understanding the different options available. Cardboard Boxes | Corrugated Boxes | Folding Carton Boxes | Die Cut Boxes | Double Wall Corrugated Boxes | Wax Coated Corrugated Boxes | Recycled Corrugated Boxes | Printed Corrugated Boxes | Corrugated Trays | Half Slotted Containers | Full Overlap Corrugated Containers | Roll End Tuck Top Corrugated Boxes | Rectangular Slotted Boxes | Custom Containers | Gaylord Boxes | Point of Purchase Displays | Point of Purchase Shipping-Shelf Displays | Corrugated Slip
Sheets | Corrugated Interleaving | Corrugated Pallets | Cardboard Siffer To Cans | Cardboard Coin Collection Cans
ADHESIVES - TAPES & GLUES
Understanding the different types of adhesives: Tape | Acrylic Tape | Hot Melt Tape | Water Activated Paper Tape | Rubber Tape | Box Sealing Tape | Filament Tape | Strapping Tape | Printed Water Activated Tape | Floor Marking Tape | Duct Tape | Masking Tape | Double Sided Tape | Grip Tape | Gaffer Tape | Pond Liner Seam Tape | Road Marking Tape | Magic Tape | Security Tape | Self-amalgamating Tape | Speed Tape | Paper Tape | Spike Tape | Holographic Tape | Floral Tape | Tear Tape | Flagging Tape | Facing Tape | High Temperature Tape | Tie Tape | Magnetic Tape | Glue | Hot Melt Glue | Pressure Sensitive Glue | Spray Adhesive | Fabric Adhesive | Epoxy | Polyurethane | Glue Sticks | Glue Pellets | Super Glue | Yellow Wood Glue | White Craft Glue
CUSHIONING - BUBBLE, FOAM, PAPER, INFLATABLES
Bubble Wrap | Bubble-on-demand | Biodegradable Bubble Wrap | Cardboard Inserts/Separators | Encapulated-Air Plastic Sheeting | Polyethylene Foam Sheeting | Inflatable Packaging | Kraft Paper | Foam-in-Place | Foam-in-Bag | Loose Fill Packing Peanuts | Biodegradable Loose Fill Packing Peanuts | Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS) | Air Pillows | Dunnage Air Bags
STEEL - CANS, DRUMS, PAILS
Food Cans | Paint Cants | Epoxy Lined Steel Paint Cans with Plug Lid | Unlined Steel Pain Cans with Plug Lid | Gold Polyester Lined Tin-Plated Steel Open Top Cans | 1 Gallon Steel Paint Cans with Handle & Plug Lid | PP Plastic Hybrid Paint Cans | C-Enamel Lined Tin-Plated Steel Open Top Cans with End | Unlined Tin-Plated Steel Open Top Cans with End | Unlined Steel Flat-Top Cans | Steel Flat-Top Cans with Cap | Steel Flat-Top Cans with Brush Cap | Steel Flat-Top Cans with Dauber Cap | Unlined Steel Screw Top Cans with Brush Cap | Steel Cone-Top Cans with Delta Cap | Steel Cone-Top Cans with Child Resistant Cap | Steel F-Style Cans with Cap | Steel F-Style Cans | | 5 Gallon Steel Space Saver Square Can| Saferim Easy Open Ends for Open Top Cans - Dry Pack | Natural Plastic Snap Lids for Open Top Can | Triple Grip Clips for Paint Cans | Round Slip Cover Tins | High-Capacity Slip Cover Tin | High-Capcity Slip Cover Tins - Lacquer Lined | Unlined Tin-Plated Steel Open Top Cans | C-Enamel Lined Tin-Plated Steel Open Top Cans | Steel F-Style Cans | Lined White High-Capacity Slip Cover Tins |
CORK - BOTTLE STOPPERS, CUSHIONING, INSULATING
Bottle Stoppers are the most common cork packaging product, making up up roughly 60% of the global cork production. Other products include Molded Cork Wine Bottle Holders | Laptop Cork Cradles | Package Interior Cork Cushioning | Package Interior Cork Insulation
SUGAR BASED BIOPLASTIC
Bioplastics are plastic material produced from renewable biomass sources. In this case the biomass is sugar. This is called sugar based polythene.
Bioplastic Stretch Film | Milk Containers | Beverage Containers | Food Service Containers | Water Bottles | Bioplastic Bags |
BUYING CHANNELS
The packaging industry has five primary buying channels: manufacturers, converters, distributors, online only retailers, and traditional retail stores. Since the world has gone digital the buying channels predominately offer websites. Packaging buying channels are blurry. Some manufacturers sell direct to consumers. Some sell through distribution and direct only to large volume customers, sometimes regularly changing the criteria. Some manufacturers only sell through distribution, while others sell through all channels. Converters are businesses that buy material from a manufacturer and convert it into a different product. Converters often sell to consumers as well as other buying channels. Some distributors sell to e-commerce sites and retailers adding another layer of cost. You may place an order with a distributor that drop ships from the manufacturer. Manufacturers often sell different product sizes to the different buying channels. This can make comparisons tricky. Understanding the benefits of the different buying channels will help you select the right option for you.
Finding the right partner that will assist you with your packaging needs, provide the level of service you require, and help you manage the supply chain for your packaging will make your job easier. You want to partner with a reputable company with knowledgeable staff. These partners become an extension of your business or department. They notify the plant of your on-going need for a product. This helps the plant secure the raw materials to produce your packaging. Distributors can help buy in larger quantities and warehouse your product nearby to save you space and working capital by buying in smaller quantities more often. Understanding the right combination of suppliers for your packaging will help you have a strong supply chain to give you assurance.
MANUFACTURERS
CONVERTERS
DISTRIBUTORS
E-COMMERCE / RETAIL
How Delivery Methods Impact Design
Dimensional
Weight
Freight
Carriers
Shipping
Container