Packagers Meet Customer Demand for Sustainability
Nov. 10, 2008 - Packaging suppliers are rejiggering their offerings to satisfy the growing market for greener solutions, according to a new industry benchmarking survey from Packaging Digest.
Fifty-three percent of the 1,200 packaging professionals surveyed say that more than half of their customers are now seeking more environmentally friendly packaging options. As a result, the vast majority of respondents (90%) report that sustainability is now a key factor in their packaging-design decisions.
Retailers are pursuing resource-efficient package designs partly to appeal to eco-minded consumers, but also to help cut costs by saving space in delivery vehicles and on store shelves, the respondents say.
Higher expectations for environmental performance are leading packagers to green their operations as well. Seventy-nine percent of respondents say that they will be pursuing waste reduction strategies and 62% say they will be focusing on energy conservation over the next five years.
A growing number of firms are integrating their sustainability efforts into core business strategy, although 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 more survey results, click here.
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