Industry Insights

Sustainable packaging is used by brands for a variety of reasons, including corporate social responsibility, lowering carbon footprints, decreasing waste, improving sales – and because retailers need it. Businesses seeking proof of a return on investment for flexible sustainable packaging and operations can consider some positive financial evidence from previous years.

Actual examples of companies that successfully employed sustainable flexible packaging options

1. Amazon

When further Amazon packaging is needed when shipping a product, Amazon makes its best effort to optimise that packaging for better recyclability, and also for fewer waste and carbon emissions.

Along with the shift in flexible packaging supplies, Amazon India is ensuring that it comprises 100% recyclable content. According to a previous Amazon statement, the plastic now utilised in packaging mailers and bubble bags has 20% recycled material and is recyclable. The company is looking at alternative packaging methods to replace goods like bubble bags, stretch wraps, and tape.

Amazon boosted the recycled content of plastic film bags from 25% to 50% in 2021, and that of plastic cushioned bags from 15% to more than 40%.

See the following breakdown of Amazon’s fulfillment packaging in 2021:

• 43%: Boxes.
• 49%: Padded mailers, Flexible mailers, Paperboard envelopes, Unpadded bags, Recyclable paper mailer bags.
• 8%: No Amazon packaging

Amazon is dedicated to delivering items safely and responsibly, and packaging plays an important part in the consumer delivery experience. Amazon has invested in materials, methods, and technologies that have resulted in a 38% reduction in per-shipment package weight and the elimination of almost 1.5 million tonnes of packaging since 2015.

2. Myntra

Myntra’s road to sustainability has been distinguished by an organised effort to make a positive impact on the environment. Myntra plans to have a significant impact on the industry by achieving its objective of turning 100% plastic-free with its packaging.

Myntra orders will be delivered to clients in 100% plastic-free sustainable packaging during the current Big Fashion Festival. Green packaging has been embraced by Myntra vendors around the country.

Shredded materials, plastic cello tapes, and polycovers have been replaced with shredded materials, paper tapes, and paper covers and boxes, respectively.

It is a long-term programme that aims to eliminate the need for a secondary layer of packing in e-commerce shipments and allow items to be shipped directly in the primary packaging.

3. Flipkart

Walmart-owned Flipkart has removed all single-use plastic packaging from its fulfillment sites in India. Flipkart has already achieved a 27% decrease in the usage of single-use plastic packaging in its seller fulfilments through proactive interventions and advice, according to the Bengaluru-based business. With this, the e-commerce giant has fulfilled its public pledge to transition to plastic-free packaging in its supply chain by 2021.

Flipkart has taken many initiatives, including examining and analysing circular economy models, researching package optimisation methods, developing national standards on packaging materials to decrease waste in the supply chain, promoting reusable materials, and supporting green sustainable and flexible packaging. This involves, among other things, converting to environmentally friendly paper shreds, replacing poly pouches with recycled paper mailer bags, and replacing bubble wraps with carton shredded waste material and 2 ply roll. More than 75% of Flipkart’s seller fulfilled shipments in July 2021 were also processed in sustainable packaging. This includes approximately 700 centres across India.

4. Bigbasket

One of the greatest contributions to environmental damage is single-use plastics used in packaging, particularly for fruits and vegetables. To address this issue, bigbasket has gone out of its way by removing plastic packaging from its fruit and vegetable delivery services. The new service was launched as a test initiative, and bigbasket hopes to eliminate all packaging from its fruits and veggies deliveries across India by 2023.

Bigbasket has also fully implemented a ‘no plastic’ policy for packaging of fruits and vegetables, and they are now supplied in recyclable paper and corrugated cardboard boxes. The company exclusively uses biodegradable bags for chilled and green veggies and encourages consumers to return the cardboard boxes for recycling.

Bigbasket’s activities in India have extended to 26 cities, with around 1 lakh client orders each day and a registered customer base of 12 million. With the new financing, bigbasket has become the latest member of India’s unicorn club.

5. Etsy

Following on from a commitment earlier this year to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, Etsy has announced that it is now supplying “planet-friendly” packaging to its merchants.It works as follows:

Through a new relationship with EcoEnclose, US merchants can now access and purchase packaging made from certified sustainably produced and 100% recycled materials that purchasers can dispose right away at home. Boxes, padded paper mailers, and stiff paper envelopes are available in a variety of sizes based on those most typically used by Etsy sellers. Given this customer demand, promoting Etsy’s green activities while also encouraging merchants to adopt sustainable business practices could prove to be a beneficial tactic for Etsy sellers.

Final Thoughts

One of the best ways to have an influence as your company advances in sustainability initiatives is through packaging. Customers are keen on spending their money on sustainable goods. Sustainable packaging is in high demand, and businesses are working hard to supply that need.

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