Finally, we’re waking up to consumption’s conspicuous impact on our planet. For decades, packaging has been thought of as a throw away item offering product protection and momentary on shelf appeal. Functionality and aesthetics were always the first consideration, with environmentally conscious packaging second. Things have changed.
The increasing prevalence of e-commerce has ushered an increased customer awareness and attention to the packaging that is arriving at their doorsteps. Sustainability is not just an option anymore. Market conditions are driving the push. Consumers demand it!
Across more than 20 years, sustainability has reached the point where concepts once regarded as on the fringe of financial markets are becoming mainstream. But for sustainability to truly transform society, we need to unlock new ideas.
For better or worse, we live in a consumer-driven world where buying things is integral to our everyday lives; and in this world of consumerism, packaging has a huge part to play.
It’s no longer a question of whether brands should shift to more sustainable packaging, but how they should do so.
What does the future hold for sustainable e-commerce packaging? How will the competing pressures of sustainability, consumer convenience and commercial imperative shape innovations and packaging technologies? What opportunities and challenges will this create for the packaging value chain?
These are questions that the expert team at Filtrona Tapes can help you answer.
No longer a question of choice
Today’s packaging has to be much more than just a protective layer. In an era of environmentally aware consumers maintaining sustainable and healthy lifestyles, the demands on packaging manufacturers, designers and brands have never been greater.
Customers won’t tolerate a choice between sustainability and convenience: they expect both.
In a recent consumer survey conducted by Filtrona Tapes, 70% of respondents identified frustrations with packaging. 43% reflected that recyclability was in their top 3 issues with the packaging they received, but alongside this, 57% of those polled highlighted difficulty opening packaging was a top packaging frustration. Furthermore, it was cartons with no opening device that ranked #2 for most frustrating pack types.
This reinforces why brands covet packaging solutions that provide good end-of-life options without compromising convenience or performance.
For those who see the opportunity for packaging to play a powerful role in the world around us without losing functional benefits, Rippatape® Halo helps brands and converters around the world meet their environmental goals whilst delivering a positive opening experience.
This brand-new solution is the first paper tear tape of its kind in the Filtrona Tapes ECO Range providing customers with more circular curbside recyclable packaging options. It is externally certified as recyclable with paper achieving an A+ level via the Italian National Recyclability Standard: UNI 11743 and MC 501: 2017 criteria.
With a tearing performance comparable to our market-leading Rippatape® 60, Rippatape® Halo does not compromise on the easy opening credentials of its plastic alternative. Crucially, Rippatape® Halo is recyclable along with paper and board packs, is fully reclaimable, eliminates the plastic film used in standard tear tapes, and focuses on fibre recovery.
Return to sender
It’s time to stop committing to change ‘at some point’ in the future. Brands and packaging
manufacturers must provide clarity about the responsible actions that are being taken and that will be taken, and the benefits they deliver. Be honest and transparent about the challenges and obstacles that come with the ‘perfect’ package.
In the hectic e-Commerce environment, it is becoming increasingly hard to justify single-trip packaging, even if it is fully recyclable. With more online shoppers buying with the intent to return items, for any brand looking to offer convenience, sustainability, and a high-quality consumer experience, a good returns process is needed and that includes considering the packaging.
But there’s also the convenience factor: adopting more sustainable practices is perceived to require greater manufacturing and consumer time, cost and effort. Is there still a gap between consumers’ expectations and available sustainable returns options?
Thanks to modern, intuitive applicator systems, turning single-trip packaging into a multi-trip solution is now more accessible for brands and converters than ever. Filtrona Tapes have developed the SF-AS applicator range for folder-gluer lines to enable deployment of both opening and sealing tape solutions in a single pass. Deploying returnable packaging no-longer means having to accept decreases in operational efficiencies.
Incorporating an easy opening solution into returnable packaging is critical not only to improving the consumer opening experience, but it also delivers a method of opening which will maintain the structural integrity of a pack. If a consumer must destroy the packaging upon opening an item, the returns benefit is lost immediately. Filtrona Tapes’ Rippatape® product line, now including the new repulpable Rippatape® Halo, opens corrugated and paper packaging cleanly, safely and without the need for tools/blades.
If returns are then needed, release liners offer a no-fuss, ready-to-use solution to reseal cleanly-opened packaging and allow hassle-free repacking for the consumer. Filtrona Tapes provides a range of paper-based release liners under its EASILINER banner, which protect glue lines, allowing consumers to rip off the paper liner to reseal their packaging.
Something as small as a glue strip and release liner can turn e-commerce mailers and corrugated packs into easy-return packaging with relatively little investment.
Lead the change you wish to see
Brands and designers are putting ever greater thought into how much packaging they use and what that packaging looks and feels like. Every day sees us working on new ideas and solutions to help improve consumers’ lives.
Constantly monitoring consumption data and market trends, at Filtrona Tapes we analyse consumer habits and lifestyles to anticipate emerging needs.
The end of a pack’s life cycle is becoming a bigger focus for packaging manufacturers and retailers, with some leading brands making bold commitments to convert to 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. Companies are looking to make their packaging easier to recycle across the board.
Consumer goods companies that make the biggest strides will start by focusing on legislation, infrastructure, consumers and retailers, and technology, enabling them to understand available solutions better and direct their efforts accordingly.
From barrels to bottles, cans to cardboard boxes, packaging innovations have revolutionised how we live – from the food we can eat to how we can brand products. And if packaging history can teach us anything, it is that even the simplest inventions can have a transformative impact.
We’re here to take the guesswork out of your process, solve your business challenges, and do so with speed and confidence.
