 Nov. 10, 2008 - Packaging suppliers are rejiggering their offerings to satisfy the growing market for greener solutions, according to a new industry benchmarking survey.
The survey of nearly 1200 packaging professionals finds that 53% say that more than half of their customers are seeking more environmentally friendly packaging according to a Packaging Digest article.
The vast majority of respondents (90%) say that sustainable design is a key factor in making packaging decisions. Resource-efficient packaging designs are considered attractive to retailers to draw eco-minded consumers, but also to help cut costs by saving space in delivery vehicles and on store shelves.
In addition to customer expectations the rising costs of energy and raw materials are some of the reasons why 79% of respondents say that they are emphasizing waste reduction in their operations and 62% say they are focusing on energy conservation in the coming five years.
The survey also finds that a growing number of firms are integrating their sustainability efforts into overall business strategy, though many are looking for quick wins. While 39% of respondents say their firms are linking sustainability to their lean manufacturing programs and 36% are connecting it to their quality programs, half of respondents say their organizations require a return on investment for their sustainability activities, and most expect a payback within one to two years.
For a complete presentation on the sustainability in packaging study results, click here. |
