The Unique Group, a company offering one-stop brand packaging solutions, is weighing in on a study showing the waste-reduction effects of retail packaging.In a report published by Use Less Stuff (ULS) and titled “A Study of Packaging Efficiency as It Relates to Waste Prevention” 300 containers were analyzed in 56 different grocery categories. A container was able to gain points through recyclability, source reduction, and its use of recyclable materials.
“We believe it’s important that studies like these be conducted to show how far retail packaging has come in being environmentally responsible,” says Asher Lichtman, VP Sales and Marketing at The Unique Group. “There will always be room to improve packaging, but we’ve been in this business a long time and can confidently say that a lot has already been done, and we expect that to continue.”
Conclusions from the report support Lichtman’s perspective. ULS says that retail packaging has been effectively delivering on environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability over the past 20 years.
“These results are certainly not a surprise to us,” Lichtman continues. “It’s amazing how we’ve been able to incorporate new retail-packaging concepts that are bettering sustainability. And with the packaging of products being a necessity in today’s world, it’s important this trend continue to move in the right direction.”
More findings from the study show that light-weighting is continuing to be one of the key actions for limiting packaging discards. Also, the increased recycling rate is something to take note of. Materials were recycled at a rate of over 34% in 2015 compared to just 25% a decade earlier.
“There’s an overall shift in the mindset of people today. They care more about the environment and so many parts of their lifestyle reflect that,” Lichtman explains. “From the way they run their businesses to their personal purchasing decisions, being environmentally responsible is important.”
Lichtman says The Unique Group understands the challenges of retail packaging and works with its clients to produce packaging that stands out along with limiting its environmental footprint. More information about The Unique Group can be found at www.TheUniqueGroup.com. Also, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.