Think back to the last time you received a package delivered to your doorstep. For some of you, it may have been last week or last month. For others, it may have been yesterday. Now think back for a moment on when you opened the package. It likely came inside of a box that was far too big for it. Perhaps there was even protective packaging included so that the product you ordered wouldn't jostle around while in transit. If you're among the consumers who thought to yourself that it seemed like a lot of packaging for the product you ordered, you're hardly alone — and this example applies to so much more than just e-commerce shopping as well.
It's a phenomenon known as "empty space economy," or the act of when goods or items are placed in packaging that's far bigger than what they actually need. And this "empty space" certainly can take its toll on the environment and even a company's budget. According to a recent study by DS Smith, the empty space that is created in packaging each year is responsible for nearly 122 million tons of CO2 emissions. To put that into perspective, it's the equivalent of the amount of CO2 emissions of Belgium each year. Furthermore, removing this empty space in packaging could also translate to a greater savings in shipping costs — a cost savings that can be passed on to the consumer. Unfortunately, only about one-third of executives have even considered an audit of their firm's packaging in an effort to "right-size" their packaging, and that's a problem. But 122 million tons of CO2 and a potential for a significant cost savings in shipping costs might be that wake-up call that they need. Flexible packaging is the option to makes the most sense as this packaging alternative. Let's take a look at the reasons why:
Why Flexible Packaging is the Solution to Eliminating the Empty Space Economy
Part of the reason flexible packaging is such an increasingly popular option is due to its ideal package-to-item ratio. For instance, juice packaged in a pouch has about a 97 percent product-to-package ratio compared to if it were to be packaged in a can. This efficiency isn't lost on other products that are packaged in flexible formats, either, as flexible packaging allows products to fit its packaging, thereby further minimizing the need to create packaging to fit products. Here's a look at some other key reasons why flexible packaging is key to eliminating the empty space economy:
Like we told you in the opening, reducing empty space in packaging is unfortunately not yet a priority for many companies. However, as firms are more pressured into developing and sticking to aggressive sustainability plans, it's one area that more companies will be addressing to promote significant changes to the way they do business. And as we outlined above, reducing packaging isn't just good for the environment, but good for a company's bottom line as well. When you consider flexible packaging's ability to eliminate empty space and factor in its other benefits, you realize it's a format that just makes all-around sense. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you reduce your empty packaging space.