The world is becoming more environmentally conscious. While that’s great news for the planet, humans, animals, and other living things, it can significantly impact how businesses operate. Take beverage companies, for instance. They commonly package their products in plastic containers. However, the global plastic crisis has prompted many consumers to rethink purchasing products packaged in plastic.
While some companies shift gears and opt for cardboard or glass, it’s not suitable for every business. Luckily, there are options for beverage companies that wish to continue using plastic. Continue reading to learn more.
Bioplastics
Bio-based plastics are plastics made using environmentally friendly resources like cornstarch, vegetable oil, food waste, recycled plastics, and agricultural byproducts. What makes them more efficient is that they degrade into the environment, easier reducing waste and carbon dioxide output. They’re combustible and can break down in a matter of weeks as opposed to the hundreds of years it takes traditional plastics. It’s also important to note that bioplastics require far less energy to produce.
Biodegradable Plastics
Another eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic is biodegradable plastic. It’s plastic made from non-renewable petroleum and other chemical additives that cause containers to decompose faster when exposed to certain elements.
Recycled Plastic
As the name suggests, recycled plastics are plastic products that are made using plastics that have been recycled. The plastic is cleaned, melted down, and repurposed for other items.
Why Consider Eco-Friendly Plastics?
Besides the alarming reports on plastic pollution, there are multiple reasons to consider switching to more sustainable plastics for your beverages.
- Appeals To Most Consumers – As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are changing their purchasing decisions. Most consumers prefer to buy from companies that prioritize sustainability and preserve the environment. Switching to eco-friendly plastics will ultimately appeal to a larger audience. It will also ensure that your existing customers remain loyal to your brand.
- Save Money – Although it may seem expensive to switch to sustainable packaging, it’s actually more affordable. Since eco-friendly plastic is a popular choice for beverage companies, manufacturers and packers offer attractive and competitive rates. You can use those savings to reinvest in your business or pass them down to your customers to boost sales and beat out the competition.
Is Eco-Friendly Plastic Ideal For Your Beverages?
Before you switch to one of the plastics listed above, you must consider whether or not it is ideal for your beverage. Consider the type of beverage you make, its ingredients, and the necessary temperature and storage conditions.
Will the eco-friendly packaging remain intact or fall apart, resulting in dissatisfied customers? Could there be a chemical reaction between the ingredients used in your beverage and those from the plastic bottle? It could result in injuries, allergic reactions, and other medical problems that lead to lawsuits and other financial setbacks.
Consult A Packaging Company
If you’re not sure which sustainable packaging options are best for your product, it’s best to consult beverage co packers for assistance. A beverage co-packer is an outside agency that specializes in packaging beverages in mass quantities. A co-packaging company will evaluate your beverage type, ingredients, and budget and provide you with the most efficient bottling options.
Co-packers will also have recommendations to make your product more environmentally friendly, like sustainable labels or adding instructions to help and encourage customers appropriately recycle your products.
Once you’ve decided on the appropriate packaging, you can rely on the co-packer to prep client orders for shipment while focusing on other business aspects. The effect of modern living on the environment is evident. If something isn’t done soon to make positive changes, the planet and life for all living things will cease to exist. As a business owner of a beverage company, you can take great strides to do your part. One such suggestion is to switch to eco-friendly plastic or sustainable packaging. The proper packaging will appeal to larger audiences, save your business money, and most importantly, save the planet.
