Sustainable    packaging    is    the    development    and    use    of packaging    which    results    in    improved    sustainability.     This involves   increased   use   of   life   cycle   inventory   (LCI)   and   life   cycle assessment   (LCA)   to   help   guide   the   use   of   packaging   which reduces    the    environmental    impact    and    ecological    footprint.    It includes   a   look   at   the   whole   of   the   supply   chain:   from   basic function,   to   marketing,   and   then   through   to   end   of   life   (LCA)   and rebirth. Additionally,   an   eco-cost   to   value   ratio   can   be   useful.   The goals   are   to   improve   the   long   term   viability   and   quality   of   life   for humans   and   the   longevity   of   natural   ecosystems.   Sustainable packaging   must   meet   the   functional   and   economic   needs   of   the present   without   compromising   the   ability   of   future   generations   to meet   their   own   needs.   Sustainability   is   not   necessarily   an   end state but is a continuing process of improvement. Sustainable   packaging   is   a   relatively   new   addition   to   the environmental   considerations   for   packaging   (see   Packaging and   labeling).   It   requires   more   analysis   and   documentation   to look   at   the   package   design,   choice   of   materials,   processing,   and life-cycle.   This   is   not   just   the   vague   "green   movement"   that   many businesses   and   companies   have   been   trying   to   include   over   the past   years.   Companies   implementing   these   eco-friendly   actions are   reducing   their   carbon   footprint,   using   more   recycled   materials and   reusing   more   package   components.   They   often   encourage suppliers, contract packagers, and distributors to do likewise. Sustainable   packaging   is   no   longer   focused   on   just   recycling. Just   as   packaging   is   not   the   only   eco   target,   although   it   is   still   top of    mind    for    many.    Right    or    wrong,    packaging    is    frequently scrutinized   and   used   as   the   measure   of   a   company's   overall sustainability,    even    though    it    may    contribute    only    a    small percentage   to   the   total   eco   impact   compared   to   other   things, such as transportation, and water and energy use.

Specific   factors   for   sustainable   design   of   packaging   may include: • Use   of   minimal   materials   –   reduced   packaging,   reduced layers    of    packaging,    lower    mass    (product    to    packaging ratio), lower volume, etc. • Logistics   efficiency   (through   complete   life   cycle)   –   cube utilization,       tare       weight,       enablement       of       efficient transportation, etc., • Energy   efficiency,   total   energy   content   and   usage,   use   of renewable energy, etc. • Recycled   content   –   as   available   and   functional.   For   food contact   materials,   there   are   special   safety   considerations, particularly     for     use     of     recycled     plastics     and     paper. Regulations are published by each country or region. • Recyclability   –   recovery   value,   use   of   materials   which   are frequently    and    easily    recycled,    reduction    of    materials which hinder recyclability of major components, etc. • Reusable   packaging   –   repeated   reuse   of   package,   reuse for other purposes, etc. • Use of renewable resources in packaging • Use   of   biodegradable   and   compostable   materials   –   when appropriate    and    do    not    cause    contamination    of    the recycling stream • Avoid    the    use    of    materials    toxic    to    humans    or    the environment • Effects   on   atmosphere/climate   –   ozone   layer,   greenhouse gases    (carbon    dioxide    and    methane),    volatile    organic compounds, etc. • Water use, reuse, treatment, waste, etc. • Worker      impact:      occupational      health,      safety,      clean technology, etc. • Made from materials healthy throughout the life cycle • Physically designed to optimize materials and energy • Use integral design to reduce the use of materials • Follow    the    requirements    of    the    2015    United    Nations Climate Change Conference The   chosen   criteria   are   often   used   best   as   a   basis   of   comparison for   two   or   more   similar   packaging   designs;   not   as   an   absolute success    or    failure.    Such    a    multi-variable    comparison    is    often presented as a radar chart (spider chart, star chart, etc.) .

BENEFITS Some    aspects    of    environmentally    sound    packaging    are required   by   regulators   while   others   are   decisions   made   by each    packager.    Investors,    employees,    management,    and customers   can   influence   corporate   decisions   and   help   set policies.   When   investors   seek   to   purchase   stock,   companies known   for   their   positive   environmental   policy   can   be   attractive. Potential   stockholders   and   investors   see   this   as   a   solid   decision: lower   environmental   risks   lead   to   more   capital   at   cheaper   rates. Companies      that      highlight      their      environmental      status      to consumers,   can   boost   sales   as   well   as   product   reputation.   Going green is often a sound investment that can pay off. COSTS The      process      of      engineering      more      environmentally acceptable   packages   can   include   consideration   of   the   costs. Some    companies    claim    that    their    environmental    packaging program   is   cost   effective.   Some   alternative   materials   that   are recycled/recyclable   and/or   less   damaging   to   the   environment   can lead    to    companies    incurring    increased    costs.    Though    this    is common   when   any   product   begins   to   carry   the   true   cost   of   its production    (producer    pays,    producer    responsibility    laws,    take- back   laws).   There   may   be   an   expensive   and   lengthy   process before    the    new    forms    of    packaging    are    deemed    safe    to    the public,   and   approval   may   take   up   to   two   years.   It   is   important   to note    here,    that    for    most    of    the    developed    world,    tightening legislation,    and    changes    in    major    retailer    demand    (Walmart's Sustainable   Packaging   Scorecard   for   example)   the   question   is   no longer     "if"     products     and     packaging     should     become     more sustainable, but how-to and how-soon to do it.

Elastic KFT. Hungary

We provide quality packaging supplies and solutions to guarantee that your product arrives safety to its destination