
The Future of Packaging Covid-19 Update: Re-evaluating packaging strategies & building sustainable supply chains
Covid-19 has fundamentally changed retail supply chains, with consumer demand proving turbulent and exceeding that of other seasonal peaks for some retailers, while others have been severely impacted.
Businesses have had to adapt, at pace. While this has presented overwhelming challenges, such a seismic shift has presented an opportunity for businesses to re-evaluate their packaging strategies and build sustainability into the packaging lifecycle and supply chains. This has presented opportunity to re-evaluate packaging strategies and supply chains. Here summarise
Our recent research report, the future of packaging report Covid-19 update, found 31% of businesses stated that Covid-19 has led them to reconsider their packaging strategy to focus on end of life options. Businesses are now handling and delivering more packaging to consumers’ homes, meaning the volume of packaging material used – and at-home recyclability of material – has been brought to the forefront more than ever before. Reverse logistics processes, such as retailers requesting customers to return their unwanted packaging as part of the returns process, helps towards controlling the end of life destination of the packaging product. This also enables retailers to recycle valuable commodities and utilise the material for new products.
The real opportunity for companies to improve sustainability in the packaging lifecycle lies at the beginning, starting at the R&D and design stage. Such as, reducing the size of packaging or using a super strength polythene blend that’s thinner but doesn’t compromise on durability, offers both cost savings and environmental benefits.
Improving packaging sustainability is a complex challenge. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, we know our best chance of finding the right solutions will come from a holistic, systemic approach that will require collaboration of stakeholders along both value and supply chains.
To continue reading this article, download your copy of the Future of Packaging Report: Covid-19 update here.