Sustainable or green packaging involves enclosing or protecting products using materials or technologies that are environment-friendly (Verghese 23). At present, sustainable practices in marketing continue to attract increasing attention as corporations position themselves in the competitive landscape (Wever 232). A summary of the main discussion points, sustainable packaging options for beverages, and possible sources of information follows.
Points of Discussion
The importance of sustainable packaging.
Balancing environmental responsibility and profitability
Sustainable packaging goals such as reducing the amount of material, excluding harmful components, or improving the ease of recycling.
Materials used for achieving green packaging goals.
Present approaches to sustainable packaging including the use of additives, package optimization, and renewable resource-based packaging.
Potential obstacles, for example, the need for costly technologies or negative consumer perception.
Factors to consider when choosing a packaging material for sustainability.
Current and future patterns: Organizations intending to remain competitively relevant must be up-to-date with the present trends in sustainable packaging such as bio-based PET and edible packaging.
Possible Packaging Options
Option
Region
Analysis
Plant-Based Plastics (Bio-Plastics)
Africa/ Asia
They are made from microbiota obtained from renewable sources that are biodegradable and compostable. Such materials include potato, cornstarch, or any other vegetable as well as agricultural bio-products (Hahladakis 1397). Even though they have become common in parts of the globe, they especially appeal to farming-intensified regions due to their appeal for agricultural or farm practices.
Edible Packaging
America/ Europe
It comprises a group of novel materials that are both biodegradable and edible (Beanland). They provide food and beverage companies with excellent opportunities for promoting sustainable practices. However, they require costly technologies and may not be viable in low-income regions such as many parts of Africa.
Obtaining Information
Organizations. Due to the growing demand for sustainable practices, many organizations are increasingly developing active interest in promoting marketing practices that are environtally and socially responsible (Rashid 503). They provide platforms through which interested individuals can share or exchange ideas and resources and develop solutions for environmental problems. Examples of such firms are Greenpeace and Social Venture Network.
Websites. In addition to the above organizations, several websites publish blogs from experts that may provide some useful insights into the various concepts of sustainable marketing. They include Business Green, the Green Market Oracle, GreenBiz, or Going Green.
Works Cited
Beanland, Christopher. “The edible Solutions to the Plastic-Packaging Crisis.” The Guardian, 9 April 2018, theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2018/apr/09/the-edible-solutions-to-the-plastic-packaging-crisis. Accessed 3 Aug. 2018.
Hahladakis, John N., and Eleni Iacovidou. "Closing the loop on plastic packaging materials: What is quality and how does it affect their circularity?" Science of the Total Environment 630 (2018): 1394-1400.
Rashid, Nik Ramli Nik Abdul, Nor Irwani Abdul Rahman, and Shaiful Annuar Khalid. "Environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) as a strategic marketing initiative." Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 130 (2014): 499-508.
Verghese, Karli, Helen Lewis, and Leanne Fitzpatrick. Packaging for Sustainability.
London: Springer, 2012.
Wever, Renee, and Joost Vogtländer. "Eco‐efficient value creation: an alternative perspective on packaging and sustainability." Packaging Technology and science 26.4 (2013): 229-248.
