Stretching Toward Flexible Packaging Sustainability
August 08, 2017
Breathe in deep, and strike your favorite yoga pose (we’re big fans of downward dog, ourselves). In yoga studios across the world, people are stretching to get in touch with a health-conscious, more flexible side of themselves. At Ernest, we’re always on the lookout for trends that keep the packaging industry nice and healthy, and flexibility is proving to be just as important in packaging as it is on the yoga mat.
When we last talked about flexible packaging, we outlined some of the many benefits the solution brings to the table: flexible is easier to ship, it protects its contents from UV rays, and promotes a higher shelf life. It also has a much smaller carbon footprint than other packaging options, so this time around we’re going to explore what that really means for the planet and for your pocketbook.
Right off the bat, flexible solutions use less material per product than their counterparts. The Flexible Packaging Association demonstrates that 1.5 pounds of flexible plastic can hold the same amount of liquid as 50 pounds of glass jars. That’s a much smaller amount of material ending up in someone’s recycling bin, which should make any yogi breathe a sigh of relief (or at least follow a relaxing breathing exercise).
That relaxation is quickly spreading to online retailers, who reached $373 billion in sales last year in the U.S. alone! There has never been higher scrutiny for companies to go green when it comes to sustainable packaging, and flexible once again comes to the rescue. Flexible packaging is a win-win solution for any online retailer looking to reduce their carbon footprint from transit, both in burned fuel and in wasted material from liquid damage during transport.
The cherry on top? Going flexible pays off for Mother Earth AND for your wallet. Since flexible options use less packaging per product, you’ll save big on DIM weight (we know a thing or two about that). So roll up your yoga mat and contact us today to start thinking flexible.
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