How to Mastermind Sustainable packaging

We all know doing right by the planet is, well, just the right thing to do. Many businesses are working hard to green up the materials they use in their creations – be it artistic jewellery or ethically responsible skincare or makeup – to make sure what they are selling is better for the environment. But those leaps forward shouldn’t end there. Thinking about how we impact the planet must also influence how brands package and deliver their products. Luckily, being sustainable in the packaging department – your customer’s first introduction to a product – can still result in a beautiful, colourful and elevated brand experience.

At Potters Box Makers, we strive hard towards making the feel-good part of sustainability happen. It’s not always easy – or possible – but meeting customers’ expectations in the era of tackling climate change is imperative. The global push away from single-use plastic, for example, is fuelled by the goal to “inspire the world to turn off the plastic tap” from such brilliant, pro-business campaigners as A Plastic Planet. It’s a drive that has steered many brands to ditch the plastic and reject shiny finishes favouring uncoated sustainably sourced and recycled paper-based packaging, among other greener credentials.

We’ve shifted over the years to put increasing resources and time into sourcing materials in ways as ethical and sustainable as possible. We increasingly check that the paper and cardboard used throughout our factory is sustainably sourced, meaning it comes from forests that are responsibly managed in line with the Forest Steward Council’s guidelines. Trees are replanted to replenish what is used. Better yet, we’ll plump for recycled paper and cardboard.

Like many proud made-in-England companies, we also aim to use UK-based suppliers, who share our eco-friendly aims and consider how to cut their carbon footprint. Working with a local supply chain helps reduce emissions from carbon-intensive transportation and makes it easier to trace the origins of materials. To achieve either a small run of bespoke boxes – made-to-measure creations – or a giant run of packaging, we work with specialist equipment as well as mechanical machines such as Heidelberg. We’ve had to tweak and challenge conventional printing and box-creating practices to build better environmental approaches that meet today’s desires. We’ll carefully select – if requested – non-toxic or bio substances such as vegan glue. This means your team, your customers, and our staff avoid being in contact with hazardous chemicals, and it is kinder to animals too.

Beyond using fewer raw materials in the first place, all businesses know the easiest way to reduce their impact on the planet is to avoid sending unnecessarily to the landfill and to ensure as much is recycled as possible. Beyond the recycling bin in the workplace, you can even sell it to other companies who have use for it.

But it’s also essential to make it seamless for your customers to recycle when they purchase from you. Wrapping your products in packaging such as paper and cardboard that are widely recyclable makes sense, along with giving customers instructions on how they can dispose of your product and its packaging. Let’s make the eco-journey together.

Whatever beautiful bespoke packaging you’re looking for – from candle boxes or gift boxes, or something else entirely – get in touch today by calling 01553 780850 or emailing websales@pottersuk.com.