The Impact of Sustainability on Packaging in 2024

Sustainability continues to surge in importance within product development decision making processes all around the world.

Eco-conscious consumers expect brands to treat their environmental obligations with the utmost seriousness. When it comes to product sustainability, packaging is always a natural focus point.

So, what do brand owners, packaging manufacturers, R&D teams, ESG teams and product marketers need to know in 2024 and beyond?

In 2024, sustainability is as important as it’s ever been in consumer product purchasing decisions, continuing a long-established trend.

85% of consumers say climate change has had a disruptive effect on their lives and 46% report buying more sustainable products. Despite inflationary pressure, consumers are still happy to pay a 9.7% premium for a sustainably-produced product.

Packaging offers a clear, visible and tangible way for brands to demonstrate sustainability in their products, winning the affections and loyalty of an increasingly eco-conscious, conscientious consumer base.

As such, it comes as no surprise to learn that the global value of the sustainable packaging market is forecast to grow to $476bn (£375bn) by 2031, up from $244bn (£192bn) in 2022. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

Not only are consumers driving the demand for sustainable packaging solutions, but governmental organisations are enforcing it.

The EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive and the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax (which increased in April 2024) are just two recent examples of how legislative bodies are seeking to twist the arm of product manufacturers into adopting a more eco-conscious product development model.

These pressures are only going to grow. The EU has proposed to make all packaging fully recyclable by 2030, whilst the UK is aiming to increase the packaging recycling rate to 78% by the same date.

A new extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme means producers are held accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. The aim: to encourage organisations to use less packaging and more recyclable materials, reducing the amount of hard-to-recycle packaging on the market.

Product manufacturers who embody sustainability through their products will not only chime with the attitudes of eco-conscious consumers, but also stay compliant and future-proof their operations.

From perfumes to pet food, every product consumed has an environmental impact.

There are many ways that product designers and manufacturers can bring sustainability into their packaging, chief among them being reduced packaging size, bulk and weight. This slashes the carbon emissions associated with the product’s entire life, from manufacture to transportation to waste.

Unbeknown to many, the cap or seal used can impact this considerably. Advances in technologies mean that packaging manufacturers are able to do away with weighty screw caps and over-engineered neck threads, reducing packaging materials and weight without compromising product integrity.

With the importance of on-the-go portability, a product that’s sleek and lightweight is ticking two big boxes: environmental friendliness and consumer convenience.

These days, many more products are recyclable — but how easy are they to recycle? Composite packaging from many materials is one of the biggest hurdles to recyclability.

Mono-materials represent the natural solution: they are packages composed only of a single type of material (or very few easily separable materials) – whether that’s glass, paper, metal, fibre, pulp or plastic, smoothing the recycling process tremendously. Reusability of the packaging is another big bonus, as are the use of biodegradable materials.

Minimalism is on the march in packaging — excessive layers, composite materials and unnecessary details are not appreciated by today’s consumers. Product packaging in many product categories is trending towards only what’s absolutely essential.

As well as the materials chosen, this consumer preference has led to the growth of streamlined, minimal visual designs. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. For brands, it’s a great way to convey a commitment to sustainability. Less is more.

Making the investment in a more sustainable, modern packaging solution is one important step — communicating it to your inquisitive, eco-conscious customers is another.

For this, growing numbers of forward-thinking product manufacturers and marketers are incorporating QR codes into their packaging. This is a smart way of inviting consumers beyond the confines of conventional physical packaging into an interactive digital experience.

QR codes can link through to detailed, impressive landing pages where consumers can connect with the brand on a deeper level. These digital experiences may detail production processes, or extol the environmental soundness and sustainability of the products they’re consuming.

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A sustainable approach to packaging is becoming a necessity for brands, not simply a nice-to-have. 2024 is another step on that journey.

At FORDS, we design and develop unique foil closures. We also build cutting-edge machinery that delivers, applies and seals these closures to all types of product.

Lightweight and eco-friendly, our easy-peel caps can provide a hermetic seal and are suitable for all manner of container materials, reducing weight and increasing recyclability.

We work with customers of all sectors and sizes, from large pharmaceutical names to emerging home care companies as well as global food, beverage, dairy, confectionery and nutrition brands. Established in 1924, we’ve helped to preserve the integrity of millions of products across the world.

Our bespoke solutions are customised to your output. We’re with you throughout the entire process, from product concept to commercial solution and beyond.

To start your journey towards a sustainable, future-proofed packaging solution, get in touch with our team today.