A look at eco-friendly packaging

Packaging is often needed to protect food and other types of goods from impact, moisture, bacteria, and damage that could compromise the quality of the product. However, if you’re an eco-conscious consumer, you should favor items made by companies that seek to minimize their environmental impact.

Solutions
Many companies have designed packaging intended to minimize their carbon footprint. Often, this means opting for less and lighter packaging. In many cases, there’s also an emphasis on using recyclable or renewable materials, such as:

• 100 percent recycled paper and cardboard
• Biodegradable polythene film
• Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)
• Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
• Recycled polystyrene foam
• Bio-based materials (corn starch, cellulose, sugar cane, algae, etc.)
• Sustainable inks (water-based, natural polymers, etc.)

Additionally, reusable packaging is increasingly popular. This gives these containers — be they bags, boxes, or bottles — a second life that helps keep them out of landfills and recycling centers.

The next time you go shopping, take some time to consider the environmental impact of the packaging used for the products you want to buy. You can also consult the manufacturer’s website for more information to help you make an informed decision.