Pinnacle Packaging President Says Eco-Friendly Packaging Helps Sustainability Practices; She sees that if consumers prioritize this packaging, retailers will use it

LOMBARD, Ill., Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Consumers today are much more aware of sustainable practices than they were even a few years ago, so it's no surprise that they deliberately seek out products that fit within the sustainability model. There are more companies producing goods in this market than ever before, but that doesn't always extend to the packaging.

Sustainable packaging, more commonly called eco-friendly or minimalist packaging, is any packaging that is easy to recycle, safe for people and the environment, and uses post-consumer recycled materials. Most consumers think of plastics recycling, but this also applies to paper goods and includes the use of plants when producing packaging.

Nicole DeJoris, president of Pinnacle Packaging, a Lombard, Illinois-based premier supplier of stock boxes and other shipping and industrial supplies since 1987, listens when her customers want this choice in packaging.

"Some of my clients are shifting away from traditional packaging toward sustainable packaging product," she said. "There are two reasons for that—one is due to the increased costs of branded packaging, and the other is because they have customers who are more eco-aware and want their packaging to be sustainable."

Statistics provided by Strategy + Business show that Millennials are most concerned about eco-friendly consumerism while Gen Z is least interested. The statistics also revealed that "those working from home are also more likely to shop sustainably. More than half (56 percent) of those surveyed who work from home say they've become more eco-friendly, compared with 48 percent of those who work away from home."

That is an increase since the 2019 Global Consumer Insights Survey, when "just 35 percent of respondents said they chose sustainable products to help protect the environment, 37 percent said they looked for products with environmentally friendly packaging, and 41 percent said they avoided the use of plastic when they could."

Not all companies can pay the increased costs associated with eco-friendly practices, especially if they don't think their customers prioritize that.

"Polystyrene is a good example of this and is often used for takeout containers and foams to protect goods during shipment," DeJoris commented, adding, "Branded packaging that includes beautiful four-color printing is not eco-friendly because, while it may be made of paper, it is too covered with ink to allow its inclusion into the recycling bin."

She added that eco-friendly items are easily disposable through recycling or being produced as biodegradable. The minimalist part of sustainability means using only the minimum amount of packaging needed to get an item to the consumer in good condition, and when those few packaging items are eco-friendly, that boosts the sustainability factor even higher.

Investing in eco-friendly products may cost more in dollars, but it brings goodwill from consumers, and it boosts the brand image as well, especially when highlighted on social media.

DeJoris, whose company sells packaging products, suggested that consumers who care about eco-friendly packaging request it. Sometimes online retailers will give an option for less packaging, which is eco-friendly. "As more consumers request it, more companies will offer sustainable, eco-friendly options despite the increased cost," she said.

About Pinnacle Packaging
At Pinnacle Packaging, we stand behind our products so we can go above and beyond your expectations. With over 20 years in the packaging industry, we are committed to using our expansive knowledge of the packaging industry to provide our customers with the latest supply and packaging design information. When standard packaging supplies alone are not enough, we also work with our customers to provide custom packaging solutions. We ultimately work to make sure our customers are prepared and informed about the offerings available to their business so they can create a lasting impression through packaging. For more information, visit https://www.pinnaclepackaging.net/.
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SOURCE Pinnacle Packaging