It’s common knowledge that EPS foam (also known as Styrofoam™) is damaging to the environment at the time of disposal because of its lack of recyclability. There are many sustainable alternatives for EPS foam, however, some companies are having difficulties replacing it completely in packaging materials. This is because of its convenience and low cost. As more and more earth-friendly packaging solutions come out, companies can take the initiative by reducing the amount of EPS foam they use. Cutting down on the amount of EPS foam can reduce your company’s carbon footprint. Here are some tips on how to cut back on EPS foam in packaging:
Determine Protection Needed
Packaging engineers have determined that a product and it’s packaging must equal the supply-chain hazards. This basically states the product’s packaging needs to be adjusted to the transit method considering all variables. Determine the durability of your product and optimize cushioning needed for transit. Minimize the amount of packaging used and sparingly leverage EPS foam.
Look Into Alternative Materials
Right now, some of the new and sustainable packaging materials include molded pulp, molded recycled plastics, corrugated fiberboard, and more. These alternative materials are recyclable at the time of disposal, unlike EPS foam.
Resort to a Mix
If completely eliminating EPS foam is not an option yet, the second best thing your company can do is consider using a mix. Having very minimal EPS foam with sustainable materials is a good start to moving a business in a greener direction.
Here at Pioneer Packaging, we can help you change out some of your older, traditional packaging materials to more environmentally friendly materials, at a reasonable cost. Packaging products for transit, especially fragile products, can be hard when a lot of protection is needed. Contact us today to learn more about sustainable packaging materials.