Whenever a company makes a new decision, they have to think of two things: how the consumer may react and how it may affect their revenues and profits. Even though we would hope that companies would always act in the best interest of the environment and the planet, the unfortunate truth is that they often face constraints in what they can and cannot adapt. They are faced with challenges involving costs, so even the most eco-conscious companies can often be driven out of the market, simply because they couldn’t afford to keep afloat. Luckily though, there have been developments and ideas in the past few years and decades that can drive down the cost of production, giving an incentive to adopt these new ideas, making it more appealing to companies. As a result, this can help society become more “Green.”
More companies should adopt environmentally friendly packaging because it has become cheaper over the years, and it is better for the environment. The world’s population has nearly quadrupled in the past century, and there have been added environmental issues that have emerged with that fact. We, as humans, have had an incredible impact on the planet’s oceans, trees, plants, and emissions. We use an immense amount of papers, plastics, and machinery in our everyday lives. Plastic wrappers on food, plastic bags in grocery stores, the tons of paper used in transactions every day, and the amount of cars being used on a daily basis all affect our environment in a negative way.
Thankfully, over the past decade, we have seen a surge in the amount of people who are more environmentally conscious, and companies are noticing an increase in demand for more “Green” ways of doing things. One of the most innovative ways of adopting environmentally friendly packaging includes allowing the packaging to have a second use. This is a very low cost alternative that companies can easily start implementing. Whether this be as simple as are usable shopping bag, or something that can be converted into something completely different, this is a great way for companies to adopt environmentally friendly packaging. In addition to being better for the environment, adopting these green features can improve a company’s brand and reputation. That is; they could be viewed as environmentally conscious, which is appealing to many consumers.
This is great from the customers’ perspectives, since they feel as if they are supporting an eco-friendly company that, in turn, means they are contributing to a better environment. But, it’s even better from the perspective of the companies, since they know that they are directly making a positive impact on the environment, and will most likely boost morale in their customers, meaning their sales would increase. Overall, the choice of whether or not to invest in sustainable packaging is not very difficult. Consumers are changing and wanting more eco-friendly options in the marketplace. As a result, there have been some pretty great innovations in the realm of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging. Therefore, it would be in the companies’ best interests to provide for this new demand by investing in and creating more environmentally friendly packaging. It will most likely increase profits, they will have a better image, and it will greatly decrease their carbon footprints.
Ashley Cohen Conner
Arizona State University
