As environmentally friendly packaging is increasingly prioritized, it’s creating a more efficient B2B (Business to Business) supply chain. Switching to sustainable packaging materials, transportation and end-of-life processes can initially be more expensive and challenging. However, eco-conscious choices save costs over the long term and enhance a brand’s connection with modern customer values.
If you’re involved in the B2B supply chain, you can create a positive impact on the environment with sustainable packaging. With the right partnerships, companies can overcome the challenges of switching to eco-friendly materials and product life cycles.
Learn more about how sustainable packaging is impacting the B2B supply chain and how you can get involved.
What Is Sustainable Packaging?
Sustainability goes beyond the materials you use. To be truly sustainable, the entire packaging life cycle needs to be refined.
Here are some examples of how companies are making eco-friendly packaging choices through the material’s entire life cycle:
- Materials: Companies are switching materials like single-use plastics to more environmentally friendly options, like paperboard. Many eco-friendly materials are affordable and offer high performance for protecting merchandise and shipped goods.
- Production: Warehouses and equipment that produce packaging materials can be optimized to use less energy. When internal processes become more efficient, companies benefit in two ways — they pay lower production costs and contribute to protecting the environment.
- Distribution: Making distribution routes more efficient is better for the environment, since it requires less fuel and wear on your equipment. Companies can also improve their distribution processes by only sending full loads and packing products into transportation vehicles more efficiently.
- Use: Eco-friendly packaging is intentionally designed to use the minimum amount of materials for the maximum amount of durability. Using sustainable options can reduce company costs by protecting merchandise and reducing product waste. Effective packaging also increases your reputation with other businesses, since they can always count on your products being in good condition.
- Product end-of-life: Packaging material ranges from 0% to 100% recyclable. When your business chooses materials that are 100% recyclable, you can feel good about recycling your product after use. Sustainable end-of-life options are particularly important so that packaging doesn’t create a lasting negative impact on the environment.
Companies can choose more sustainable options in any and all of these areas for a more eco-friendly packaging life cycle. Both stakeholders and other businesses will be pleased by the results of improved efficiency and environmental care.
Benefits of Sustainable B2B Packaging
The benefits of sustainable B2B packaging include increased long-term savings, reduced environmental harm and improved reputation. When companies enhance the efficiency of their transportation routes and reduce the amount of material they’re using to successfully package products, they save on costs and benefit the environment simultaneously.
Here are the top three benefits of choosing sustainable packaging options in the B2B supply chain.
- Long-term savings: Switching to eco-friendly materials may be more expensive initially, since it can take time to find the right partner. Once you’ve adjusted your supply chain, however, sustainable options can save you long-term costs by improving efficiency.
- Reduced environmental harm: Cost-effective, sustainable packaging is better for the environment because it’s a wiser use of resources. By using minimal materials and choosing packaging that can be recycled, you’re protecting the environment for future generations and stewarding your influence well.
- Improved reputation: Ultimately, choosing eco-friendly packaging materials is an investment in the future. It shows businesses that you’re concerned about the long game and take responsibility for how your business choices impact the world around you.
Because eco-friendly packaging is more intentional, it can also perform better than traditional packaging materials. Products that arrive safely will boost your company’s reputation and ensure you become the go-to connection to meet those product needs. When you spend time and care on your packaging, other businesses notice that attention to detail.
Challenges of Sustainable Packaging in the B2B Supply Chain
While there are many benefits to sustainable packaging, making the switch also has its challenges. Anytime you adjust your supply chain, it can take some time to ensure everything is running smoothly. When you change your supplier, timelines may be different and take time to smooth out. Thankfully, this challenge can be solved by working with a reliable supplier for sustainable packaging.
Another change is training staff on how to use the new packaging. Until they’ve had plenty of practice, packing times may slow down, putting a strain on your production and distribution timeline. Because sustainable packaging is often minimal, however, the packing time should speed up again after the initial learning curve.
The largest challenge for many companies is the initial cost of investing in eco-friendly packaging solutions. Sustainable options may require new equipment to produce, and access to sustainable materials can be limited, especially if they are new to the industry. Thankfully, sustainable packaging is a growing industry trend, which means it will likely become more available and affordable with time.
Key Trends in Sustainable Packaging
Here are a few things to consider as you plan for the future of your company and make decisions about the best packaging for your products:
- Innovation: The industry continues to offer new kinds of eco-friendly options, ranging from paperboard to bioplastics. Many companies are also offering return and reuse services so that packaging has a longer useful life.
- Weight: The lighter the packaging is, the less fuel you need to transport products to their final destination. Many companies are developing sturdy options that weigh less and are more compact.
- Energy: When companies offer options made from recycled materials, they’re reducing the overall energy used to produce that packaging. Purchasing recycled packaging and recycling it again after use creates a more sustainable supply chain.
In the future, you can look forward to innovative, sustainable packaging becoming the industry standard. As more companies invest in efficient, eco-friendly packaging products, sustainable packaging options will become more diverse and refined. New solutions will make the B2B supply chain more efficient and eco-friendly than ever before.
Find Sustainable Edge Protection With Great Northern Laminations
Looking for a sustainable way to protect your product’s edges and corners during transport? At Laminations, we engineer packaging that’s effective, affordable and sustainable. All our paperboard products are 100% recyclable and made from recycled fibers. We’ve also taken steps to ensure our facilities and transportation routes have minimal environmental impact.
In addition to our commitment to sustainability, we’re also dedicated to offering the highest quality product that successfully protects corners and edges during transportation. Our products cut assembly time in half and can reduce your cost for packaging materials, lowering weight and shipping costs.
Contact us today at 888-925-1645 to get in touch with a team member. We’re ready to help your packaging become more effective and sustainable!
