Difference between flexible packaging, green and sustainable packaging

Flexible packaging products and Sustainable packaging

Flexible Packaging Products

Flexible packaging products, sustainable packaging products, and green packaging products are all related but have slightly different meanings.

Flexible packaging products are packaging materials that are designed to be adaptable to the product they are protecting. These materials are highly versatile, lightweight, and can be easily shaped and molded to fit the product. Flexible packaging products are made from a variety of materials such as plastic, paper, aluminum, and polyester. Examples include plastic bags, pouches, wraps, and sachets. These types of packaging are preferred in many industries because they are cost-effective, easy to transport, and take up less space. However, they are also known to be a major contributor to environmental pollution, particularly plastic pollution.

Flexible packaging for Ecommerce products

  • Bubble mailers: They are lightweight, durable, and offer excellent protection for items such as clothing, electronics, and other fragile items during shipping.
  • Poly mailers: They are made from a durable plastic material and are used to ship a wide range of items. They are lightweight, waterproof, and tamper-evident.
  • Corrugated mailers: They are made from corrugated cardboard and are ideal for shipping heavier items. They are also eco-friendly, and can be easily recycled.

Flexible packaging for FMCG products

  • Stand up pouches: They are made from a variety of materials such as laminated plastic, aluminum, and polyester. They are commonly used for packaging food items, such as snacks, coffee, and tea.
  • Flat pouches: They are also made from laminated plastic, aluminum, and polyester. They are commonly used for packaging products such as powders, grains, and other non-liquid items.
  • Shrink sleeves: They are made from plastic and are used to cover a product and shrink tightly around it. They are commonly used for packaging products such as bottles, cans, and other containers.
Dairy Products packaging products in India

Flexible packaging for Pharmaceutical products

  • Blister packs: They are made from plastic and are commonly used for packaging tablets, capsules, and other small items. They provide a high level of product protection and tamper-evident feature.
  • Pouches: They are made from laminated plastic, aluminum, and polyester. They are commonly used for packaging products such as powders, liquids, and creams.
  • Strip packs: They are made from plastic and are commonly used for packaging tablets, capsules, and other small items. They are easy to open and provide a high level of product protection.

Sustainable packaging products

Sustainable packaging products, on the other hand, are packaging materials that are designed to minimize their environmental impact throughout their life cycle. This includes the sourcing of raw materials, the production process, and the disposal of the used packaging. Sustainable packaging products are made from materials that are renewable, biodegradable, and can be easily recycled or composted. Examples include packaging made from recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and packaging with minimal packaging materials. The goal of sustainable packaging is to reduce the overall environmental impact of packaging materials and promote recycling and composting.

Sustainable packaging products are designed to minimize their environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from the sourcing of raw materials to the disposal of the used packaging. Different sustainable packaging products are suitable for different types of products, including ecommerce, FMCG, and pharmaceutical products.

Sustainable packaging for Ecommerce products

  • Recycled paper mailers: They are made from recycled paper and are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic mailers.
Know about history of paper mailer bags
  • Corrugated cardboard boxes: They are made from recycled materials and are suitable for shipping heavier items. They are also easy to recycle and have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional packaging materials.
  • Biodegradable bubble wrap: They are made from biodegradable materials and are suitable for protecting fragile items during shipping. They break down in the environment and do not contribute to plastic pollution.

Sustainable packaging for FMCG products

  • Compostable stand-up pouches: Compostable stand-up pouches are an alternative to traditional plastic pouches, which are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. These pouches offer a similar level of protection as traditional plastic pouches, but are more environmentally friendly and do not contribute to plastic pollution. Compostable stand-up pouches are suitable for packaging a wide range of food items, such as snacks, coffee, tea, and other dry goods. They are also suitable for packaging liquid products such as soups, sauces and broths. The pouches have a re-sealable zipper or a tear notch making them easy to use and re-use. It’s worth mentioning that not all compostable stand-up pouches are suitable for commercial composting, and it’s important to ensure that the pouches are certified compostable by a reputable organization such as the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) before purchasing. Additionally, not all municipalities have commercial composting facilities. Therefore, it’s important to check the availability of commercial composting facility in your area before choosing this type of packaging.
  • Recycled paper bags: They are made from recycled paper and are suitable for packaging a wide range of products, including powders, grains, and other non-liquid items. They are easy to recycle and have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional packaging materials.
  • Biodegradable shrink sleeves: They are made from biodegradable materials and are suitable for packaging bottles, cans, and other containers. They break down in the environment and do not contribute to pollution.

Sustainable packaging for Pharmaceutical products

  • Biodegradable blister packs: They are made from biodegradable materials and are suitable for packaging tablets, capsules, and other small items.
  • Recyclable aluminum pouches: They are made from aluminum and are suitable for packaging products such as powders, liquids, and creams.
  • Biodegradable strip packs: They are made from biodegradable materials and are suitable for packaging tablets, capsules, and other small items. It is worth mentioning that the sustainable packaging products are still in development phase and not all sustainable options are available for each type of product.

Additionally, the choice of packaging material will depend on the specific requirements of the product, such as size, weight, shape, and level of protection required. Sustainable packaging is an ongoing effort and new materials and technologies are being developed all the time to improve the sustainability of packaging products.

Green packaging products

Green packaging products are packaging materials that are environmentally friendly and made from sustainable resources. These types of packaging materials are designed to minimize the negative impact on the environment by using natural and renewable resources. Examples include packaging made from plant-based materials such as paper, corn starch, and cellulose, and packaging that can be easily recycled or composted. The objective of green packaging is to reduce the environmental footprint of packaging materials and promote the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

All sustainable packaging products are considered green packaging products, but not all green packaging products are sustainable. Sustainable packaging products are designed to minimize the environmental impact throughout their life cycle, while green packaging products are environmentally friendly and made from sustainable resources. Flexible packaging products are adaptable to the product they are protecting but might not be environmentally friendly. It is important to note that there is no universally accepted definition of sustainable, green or flexible packaging, and different organizations and industries may have different standards and criteria.

Green packaging products are packaging materials that are environmentally friendly and made from sustainable resources. Different green packaging products are suitable for different types of products, including ecommerce, FMCG, and pharmaceutical products.

Green packaging for Ecommerce products

  • Paper mailers made from post-consumer waste: They are made from paper that has been collected after consumer use and are suitable for shipping a wide range of items, including clothing, electronics, and other fragile items. They are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic mailers.
  • Corrugated cardboard boxes made from post-consumer waste: They are made from recycled materials and are suitable for shipping heavier items. They are also easy to recycle and have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional packaging materials.
  • Biodegradable and compostable packing peanuts: They are made from biodegradable materials such as starch and are suitable for protecting fragile items during shipping. They break down in the environment and do not contribute to plastic pollution.

Green packaging for FMCG products

  • Compostable stand-up pouches made from plant-based materials such as cellulose
  • Recycled paper bags made from post-consumer waste: They are made from recycled paper and are suitable for packaging a wide range of products, including powders, grains, and other non-liquid items.

Green packaging products are also still in development phase and not all green options are available for each type of product.

Conclusion

Every business should first work with flexible packaging to pass the survival test with economical packaging costs and then adapt to sustainable and green packaging.

If you also need different flexible products for your businesses like Tamper proof courier bags or paper mailer bags, get premium quality at lowest price from the best packaging company in Uttar Pradesh

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