Start a sustainable packaging journey (below)

Looking for growth opportunities
Extended Manufacturer Responsibility (EPR) is a relatively new rule of compliance, the main purpose of which is to reduce the waste of consumer goods. EPR can stipulate that manufacturers are responsible for financially responsible for the post-production phase of the packaging life cycle. EPR projects have been implemented in Europe, the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Suppliers who help customers deal with EPR projects are getting new sales opportunities.

"Although Albertson has its own brand, most of the products we sell are made by other manufacturers," said John Bernardo, Resource Protection Manager at Albertson. "Suppliers should recognize that they can help their retail customers adopt environmentally-friendly packaging." And to minimize the major commercial benefits of waste. My advice is to get new opportunities by helping your customers stay ahead of competitors."

Trays made from starch-based biomaterials can be used to package dry products such as electronic products or biscuits, candies, and the like

Aveda's Delfausse said: "We can't be sure that collecting packaging at the city recycling center is the answer. I do know there is a huge opportunity to connect creatively with recycling and reuse."

AVC is a contract packager and the company's president, Moshe Begim, believes that developing a new packaging concept based on the idea of ​​reducing waste is good for the company's business. He said: “We have developed a design for a package that can be used as a permanent storage container after the customer takes the product home, which offers many different benefits. This design adds to the product The sales volume has increased the satisfaction of retailers and customers and reduced the waste of solids."

Benefit from the experience of others
For those who have just started, it is important to understand the entire industry on the same boat. The idea of ​​cradle to cradle and sustainability are relatively new to everyone. Most people will be happy to share their experiences, discuss their ideas with each other, and discuss the solutions that should be adopted for common problems.

"If some people are just getting started, they don't have to worry because they aren't far behind," said Houlder. "The entire industry has only just begun this journey. One of the reasons Unilever became a member of the Renewable Packaging Association It's to shorten the learning curve for this organization. You don't have to try everything yourself. Joining a network or organization can help you keep moving forward, including attending workshops on sustainability."

Marcero also agrees with this statement: "Sit down with other vendors in the supply chain to start this important journey. MeadWestvaco has also seen opportunities and gained initiative." He said, "The partners created through this association It is very important to have the opportunity to share their expertise."

Ballantine of Microsoft Corp. said: "We think it's useful to share ideas with people in different industries and in different parts of the supply chain. In the long run, industry-wide discussions generate many unique ideas."

Let others join in
If other companies in the company, such as marketing, procurement, and transportation, are not involved in the discussion of sustainable development, these projects cannot be successful. It is critical that people from other sectors besides packaging be involved and get their cooperation.

Aveda's Delfausse describes a way to win wider acceptance: "In addition to obtaining a top-down commitment from top management, packaging managers need further action," he said. "For example, I went to Estee Lauder. The market and brand managers of the China Brothers Division told them what we wanted to achieve and why we did so. They said that if sustainable projects do not negatively affect quality or change the cost of packaging, then we allow these projects to continue ."

“This presents us with a challenge that we cannot increase costs or reduce quality. On the other hand, we have been given their permission to continue the project. We have bypassed the idea of ​​persuading them to agree with us. Obstacles. In fact, designing for sustainability can reduce costs without affecting quality, which greatly reduces the challenges."

After consumers use their products, these packages can still be used as a permanent storage container. This design increases product sales, increases retailer and consumer satisfaction, and reduces solid waste.

Delfausse went on to say that sustainability is an idea that could bring people together. He introduced a challenge that had once been initiated within the company to make the recyclable materials on the tissue of the company's holiday product packaging at least 80%. Aveda's supplier, which manufactures in China, offers a solution that can recover up to 90%. "Success stories like this really make people excited," he said. "Sustainability has become infectious."

At Microsoft, Ballantine and other members of the packaging team are making every effort to meet the needs of different functional departments while advancing toward sustainability. "The transport department wants to pack as many packages as possible in trucks," he said. "The channel department wants to put as many products on the shelves as possible, and the marketing department wants to see bigger ones that can attract customers' attention. Bold packaging.Packing managers need to provide packaging solutions that together meet these needs while also meeting sustainability goals. When you start to accumulate these successes, sustainability will really start like snowballs. ."

Including channels
Because sustainability is greater than any single company, it is important that the entire supply chain contribute to sustainable solutions. “One of the results of our research shows that there is almost no sustainable solution that can achieve success in isolation.” Kellie of Microflex Technologies stated: “In projects involving multiple partners, it is clear that there is no A company has a solution that can solve all the problems.The more partners and shareholders that can come together for a common purpose, the more interesting and practical the results will be, and the result will also be better."

Unilever’s Holder believes there are many benefits to including suppliers. “When the packers started asking suppliers in the supply chain for new materials, a more efficient process, and how to get there from here, I think suppliers are sure to be pleasantly surprised,” Holder said. Many of our suppliers say that we are the first company to ask for these things, and they are certainly willing to provide us.”

Albertson’s Bernardo said: “We require that any changes made by our suppliers must be commercially meaningful to them. This must be mutual benefit. To educate your suppliers what you are doing and why To do this, working with them to develop can also help them achieve growth opportunities. This is a way to get more people involved and get real progress.”

MeadWestvaco's Marcero also agrees with this statement: "Advanced technologies, new products, novel designs, and processes that make more efficient use of energy will take time. To achieve these changes, we have to work together to ensure that the entire Supply chain benefits."

Ballantine believes that packaging can serve as a medium in the supply chain. “We found it helpful to have our suppliers interact with our customers and production partners,” he said. “For example, we let printers, paper suppliers, and retailers to discuss materials, Changes in packaging, appearance and shelf placement, etc. The final result may be that more packaging can be placed on the shelf, overall waste is less, production is easier, overall costs are lower, and the appearance of the product The display is also better, and ultimately brings a better experience to customers and everyone throughout the supply chain. Treating members on the supply chain as partners brings practical benefits. Sustainability is a relatively new concept. Everyone in the supply chain must make changes to welcome it."

Start the journey toward sustainability by examining several key parameters in the package. Measuring related processes and creating passion through success. Let the ultimate effort be as simple as possible and