Sustainable Packaging and Maintaining Quality

Sustainability is an important issue for top business leaders.

That is why countless companies have set significant sustainability objectives (over 5 to 10 years), such as increasing recycling efforts in their operations and reducing the environmental impact of packaging and supply chains.

Companies must implement sustainability in order to compete in global markets. However, a major concern is sacrificing product quality when making the transition to sustainable packaging.

Of course, you can prevent this by measuring supplier quality, ensuring that your new sustainable packaging continues to protect your products and that they reach shelves or consumers undamaged.

Your product packaging should be rigorously tested by your packaging partner so that it maintains product quality from production through to the consumer.

Here are some quality control factors you should consider:

1. Sealing methods

The way your packaging is sealed has a major influence on the condition of the product. It can be affected by temperature, humidity and handling. Sealing must be tested for the different environments through which the packaging will pass from supply to consumer.

To ensure that your packaging is sustainable, you will need to explore sealing methods. Some types are not recyclable or compostable, which is an important factor to consider.

2. Packaging materials

Choosing sustainable packaging will not eliminate all your problems. A packaging audit can reveal several issues. When these arise, they can be addressed by answering the following questions:

Does the material used affect the value of the product in any way?

Are too many materials being used?

Are the right materials being used for the appropriate environment?

The essential thing is to find the right sustainable material for your packaging. The wrong material may not convey what your product is intended to do, nor provide the protection it needs.

3. Symbols and barcodes

Packaging must be able to retain its symbols and barcodes throughout the distribution journey. Symbols that are no longer visible can cause major problems in parcel management, thereby increasing supply chain costs.

Symbols and barcodes must also be easy to read. Those that become distorted, creased or peeled off will cause inefficiencies.

4. Degradation testing

Testing the degradation of durable packaging involves several factors, including the degradation of both the product and the packaging itself. Packaging degradation occurs when a package breaks down due to environmental conditions such as weather, humidity, light or vapours. It also refers to the package’s degradation time, or the time factor.

It is important for sustainable packaging to remain intact regardless of the surrounding environment and the factors it will encounter, while also ensuring that the product does not degrade.

5. Drop testing

Since your package will be handled in various conditions, you should subject it to a drop test that recreates the possible rough handling it may experience.

Some of the procedures and guidelines required to perform a reliable drop test are provided by the International Transit Association.

6. Vibration testing

Packaging must withstand different levels of vibration, such as those experienced on conveyor belts, in aircraft, trains and cars, as well as during handling.

The vibration test must reproduce the vibrations to which your package will be exposed in order to identify weak points and determine how it is affected. This test examines the product from all angles while subjecting it to different degrees of vibration.

7. Retailer compliance

Some retailers prohibit certain packaging materials, while others decide how packaging should be designed for sale.

Before making the switch to sustainable packaging, you must ensure that your brand’s packaging requirements are met.

8. Work with a trusted sustainable packaging partner

In response to customer expectations, the world’s largest companies are turning to sustainable packaging. Working with an experienced sustainable packaging partner saves you both time and money.

Inatech Packaging provides effective sustainable packaging solutions. Before choosing the ideal packaging, it is important to research and consider your product’s needs. Our team of packaging specialists is available whenever you need guidance in this area. For further information and advice, please contact our packaging specialists at +40 214.480.358 or [email protected]