McKinsey surveyed U.S. consumers in late 2020 and found that more than half are “highly concerned about the environmental impact of packaging in general.” This is understandable because CPG packaging materials are a root cause of a lot of the pollution in our environment. Materials like Styrofoam and plastic will take decades to biodegrade.

CPG brands can take steps now to change their packaging materials not only because it is the right thing to do to protect the planet but also to become a more sustainable business that builds trust among consumers. Here’s how and why CPG brands should consider changing their packaging to meet consumer demands for sustainability. 

Sustainable CPG Packaging to Build Your Brand

Green packaging encompasses how we package, wrap, and ship products. Sustainability can come in the form of CPG packaging but also in the manufacturing and disposal of our products. There is a huge economy currently in the production of packaging for our CPG products. But there is also a circular economy inherent in the practice of sustainability; traditional linear manufacturing makes products for use that are discarded. Sustainable packaging creates jobs in recycling these items and reusing them.

In this new green economy, becoming enmeshed takes a commitment to rethinking CPG packaging so that it is reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable. At least 37% of your audience prioritizes sustainability when making a purchase. That number will go higher over time. To build trust in this growing target audience, companies must consider all of the parts of the CPG packaging process. 

CPG Brands and Green Packaging - Best Practices

Consumers duped by brands that “greenwash”—that say they are sustainable but are not—will lose trust in the brand. Instead, CPG brands should work to build trust with consumers by following some best practices. These should include:

• How the actual product is wrapped. Even if the item is shipped through e-commerce, what kind of packaging do you use to contain the product itself?
• Look at the outer packaging that enfolds the wrapped product. Can that packaging be recycled? Are the materials used in the packaging sustainable?
• The outer package the product is shipped in is the first impression you leave with your customer. Is it a cardboard box or a plastic-centric envelope? Are you using this packaging to communicate your commitment to sustainability and reinforcing trust in the consumer?
• Also, look at how your packaging materials are sourced. Your focus on sustainable CPG packaging should carry through the entire production process.

CPG product manufacturers have an opportunity to capitalize on the trends showing that consumers care about sustainability in our CPG packaging. But our efforts must take on the entire CPG packaging and product lifecycle in a way that builds transparency and trust with consumers. 

Corporate social responsibility initiatives recognized that the new customer mantra is not just to buy and consume products. Our customers are more aware of the impact of their purchases on the environment we all live in.

PKG Brand Design is always on the forefront of new CPG branding and packaging initiatives; please subscribe to our blog for the latest package design industry news!