You may have heard about the recent tightening of rules and regulations around the use of plastic products or packaging, with countries like the EU imposing taxes on plastic packaging and Canada banning single-use plastic bags altogether. That means, commonly used packaging materials like bubble wrap and Styrofoam for product protection are no longer allowed, and businesses and brands need to find eco-friendly alternatives to pack and protect their products.
Given the detrimental effects of plastic products on our environment and the increased public sentiment around sustainability, it’s time to reconsider your business’s packaging strategies and shift away from environmentally damaging plastic-based materials.
If you’re thinking of ways to go green with your brand and explore environmentally friendly options for packaging inserts, but don’t know where to start, then you’ve arrived at the right post!
Eco-friendly insert alternatives to plastic ones
Effective July 3, 2022, single-use plastics are banned in Europe. And this ban affects packaging that is made of plastic. In light of these new regulations and the benefits of using sustainable packaging materials, here are a few suggested eco-friendly alternatives to plastic-based packaging inserts that are gentle on our environment.
1. Honeycomb paper vs. bubble wrap:
for fragile items like vases, mugs, and glass
When you’re looking for eco alternatives to bubble wrap, you should consider using honeycomb paper to insulate and protect your products. This environmentally friendly paper wrap is 100% recyclable and cost-effective, using less paper in its construction while maintaining a remarkable combination of superior strength and rigidity from its hexagonal structured cells. It’s also a perfect biodegradable filler choice to fill the void in delivery packages and act as a cushion for your product.
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2. Corrugated honeycomb vs. Styrofoam:
for heavy-duty products like furniture and electronics
A great eco-friendly insert alternative to Styrofoam is a thick corrugated honeycomb. It’s fully made of paper, recyclable, and has good structural integrity. It can support and protect your product from damage while leaving minimal impact on the planet. Additionally, since this material can be recycled and reused, the cost of pallet exchange is eliminated, thus further reducing production costs.
On the other hand, Styrofoam is petroleum-based and made of several hazardous chemicals, like styrene and benzene, which are often linked to cancer in humans. Not only does it pose a threat to us, but it also harms the environment due to its lightweight and brittle nature, making it easy to break into smaller pieces and spread throughout areas.
3. Corrugated insert vs. EPE foam:
for displaying smaller items like cosmetics within mailer boxes,
used to protect and present the product
EPE foam is known to be lightweight and flexible, used for shock absorption and product protection; however, an eco-friendly alternative is corrugated inserts. These are made from corrugated cardboard and can be tailored to the shape of your product, providing excellent protection. It’s also a cost-effective solution that highlights the uniqueness of your product, thus elevating the brand experience when consumers unbox your package.
Your one-stop sustainable packaging solution
Packaging inserts are constructed to the shape of the product. For our packaging engineers to create the best-fitting insert, sampling is an important part of the process. Learn more about the importance of sampling in this blog.
At INNORHINO, we offer the best packaging insert solutions that are catered to your business needs. Our team of product and packaging specialists can help you find the best sustainable way to reinvent the existing packaging you have, with our in-house packaging engineers to provide solutions catered to your unique needs. Interested in collaborating? Send us an email at hello@innorhino.com or get connected with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram!
This article is written by: Leonni Antono – BBP
Image source: INNORHINO, Unsplash, Pexels
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