The Influence of Sustainability on Beverage Packaging
According to Katie Simmons, the marketing director for Pactiv Evergreen, sustainable and healthy products have become top priorities for consumers. This trend extends to beverage packaging, where recyclability and renewability are essential considerations. Research conducted by Pactiv Evergreen highlights the significant influence of millennials and younger generations on these sustainable packaging trends.
Pedro Goncalves, the vice president of marketing for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada, notes that sustainability is a driving force in the food and beverage packaging industry. He emphasizes that the industry is rapidly changing to meet both legislative requirements and consumer demand. While recycling initiatives are already in place, Tetra Pak is going beyond recycling by considering the carbon impact of raw materials and manufacturing processes. Their “Go nature. Go carton.” campaign aims to create the world’s most sustainable package, using plant-based materials that are fully renewable, fully recyclable, and carbon-neutral.
Overcoming Challenges in Carton Recycling
Despite the efforts to promote carton recycling, one significant challenge is the misconception that cartons are not recyclable. Goncalves acknowledges this misconception but highlights that access to carton recycling has grown nearly 350% since 2009. The Carton Council, a collaboration of carton manufacturers including Tetra Pak, has been working to increase the number of U.S. households that can recycle cartons through curbside and drop-off programs. Tetra Pak is committed to further improving access to carton recycling and increasing participation by enhancing recycling infrastructure, educating consumers, and collaborating across the recycling value chain.
Sustainable Packaging Beyond Recyclability
While recycling remains a key focus for consumers, there is a growing understanding that reducing the amount of packaging is crucial for environmental sustainability. Brent Haynam, the commercial engineering manager for Scholle IPN, emphasizes the importance of reducing packaging waste. He highlights that heavy packaging requires more source material, energy in manufacturing, and energy for transportation. In contrast, lightweight flexible packaging, such as bag-in-box and pouch packaging, significantly reduces these inputs and offers a more environmentally conscious solution.
Haynam states, “In packaging, weight is waste.” Flexible bag-in-box and pouch packaging can reduce the source material weight for beverages by up to 90%. This reduction in weight leads to a better product-to-package ratio and significantly minimizes the environmental impact associated with packaging.
Efficiency and Logistics of Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable packaging solutions not only benefit the environment but also provide considerable efficiency improvements in inbound and outbound logistics. Haynam uses the example of the wine industry, where shipping empty bag-in-box packages is much more efficient than glass bottles. The reduced trucking miles and shipments result in economic and environmental benefits.
Bag-in-box packaging offers consumer-friendly solutions and can become a reusable drinking container. It enables on-the-go beverage enjoyment while reducing the environmental footprint by eliminating single-use bottles from the market. The convenience and sustainability of bag-in-box packaging make it an attractive option for both brands and consumers.
PlantCarton Packaging: A Sustainable Solution
Pactiv Evergreen’s PlantCarton packaging is a prime example of a sustainable packaging solution. Over 70% of every PlantCarton package is made with paper from renewable resources. The paper used in PlantCarton packaging is sourced from responsibly managed forests, where the rate of growth exceeds removal, and environmental impacts are minimized. Additionally, approximately 55% of the energy used in making the paper comes from biomass. PlantCarton packaging is fully recyclable, offering brands an opportunity to showcase their commitment to sustainability.
Pactiv Evergreen ensures the responsible sourcing of materials through forest certifications. These certifications provide assurance that important factors such as soil quality, water quality, wildlife, special areas, social rights, and biodiversity are protected. By maintaining these certifications, Pactiv Evergreen promotes responsible forestry and aims to increase the number of certified forests.
Communicating Sustainable Benefits
Suppliers play a crucial role in helping brand owners communicate the sustainable benefits of their packaging. Tetra Pak, for example, provides its customers with a sustainability toolkit to showcase their sustainability story. By highlighting their commitment to sustainability, brands can meet the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging.
The demand for clean, simple ingredients has also influenced the adoption of aseptic carton packaging. Aseptic cartons offer extended shelf life without the need for refrigeration, reducing food waste. They provide a high standard of food safety and quality, making them an attractive choice for food and beverage producers.
Bag-in-Box Packaging for Emerging Categories
Bag-in-box packaging has become the go-to solution for emerging categories such as cold-brew coffee. The aseptic-capable bag-in-box solutions keep cold-brew coffee products fresh without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. This packaging option offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to cold chain logistics.
The water industry is also beginning to recognize the benefits of bag-in-box packaging. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of plastic bottles, leading to increased interest in alternative packaging solutions. Bag-in-box packaging can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to bottles, making it an appealing choice for brands in the water industry.
The Rise of eCommerce and Bag-in-Box Packaging
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of eCommerce, highlighting the need for packaging solutions that can successfully navigate the eCommerce supply chain. Bag-in-box packaging has proven to be a consumer-friendly solution for delivering bulk-sized beverages. Its durability and ability to survive the delivery chain make it an attractive option for brands and consumers alike.
The wine market has seen a substantial increase in sales of bag-in-box packaging, demonstrating the demand for bulk packages that offer convenience and reduced waste. Bag-in-box and flexible pouch solutions, approved for ship-in-own-container (SIOC) use, have enabled brands to thrive in the eCommerce landscape while providing consumers with a convenient on-tap beverage experience at home.
Conclusion
The beverage industry’s shift towards sustainable packaging reflects the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly solutions. Brands are embracing recyclability, renewability, and reduction of packaging waste to meet these demands. Through innovations such as plant-based materials, lightweight flexible packaging, and aseptic cartons, the industry is making significant strides in sustainable packaging practices. As consumers continue to prioritize sustainability, the beverage industry must continue to evolve and adapt to meet their expectations.
ProIndia is a consulting firm that helps businesses and organizations achieve their sustainability goals. They offer a variety of services, including:
- EPR audit and compliance: ProIndia can help businesses to comply with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in India by quick and smooth transfer of credits.
- ESG consulting: ProIndia can help businesses to develop and implement ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies.
- Social impact: ProIndia works with businesses and organizations to create social impact through their sustainability initiatives.
Blog By: Husna Parveen
Sr. Executive Sustainability
PRO India
