How Businesses Can Cut Down on Plastic Waste

Plastic and the amount of waste we generate is a big topic at the moment as businesses realise that their impact on the world is about more than just what they sell or the services they offer.  This has led to a growing urge to cut down on plastic waste such as blister packaging.  But what are the top ways that businesses can do this without impacting what they offer customers?

Do a waste audit

The process should start with a ‘waste audit’, a way to look at the office to see if there are places that waste can be cut.  The business premises is the best place to start, looking at what kind of waste is created and if there are alternatives.  There are lots of examples of steps taken by businesses and local authorities around the UK already:

  • Glasgow city council no longer provide drinking straws in museums, sports centres, schools or other council run buildings
  • Primary schools across the country are doing the same
  • Iceland has committed to eliminating plastic packaging from own brand products
  • Selfridges have stopped selling single use plastic bottles

Look at ways to reduce, reuse and recycle

By highlighting the areas where waste is created, it is then easier to come up with ways to cut it down.  The three things to look for are things that can be reduced, reused or recycled.

One example is the amount of plastic waste that comes from takeaway sandwiches and other quick lunch options.  By having the facilities for staff to store foods then reheat it, the business can help cut back on this waste by promoting staff to bring food from home.  This cuts down on single use plastic rubbish.

Providing staff with reusable mugs and bottles can also cut down the waste from single use cups and plastic bottles from fizzy drinks.  Not only does this help cut down on plastic waste but can also cut down on waste management costs as the amount of rubbish in the bins can be reduced.

Look at packaging options

If your business creates products, then packaging is a big area to consider.  While there are doubtless some products that need Blister packaging or have to have tamper-proof packaging to ensure that no-one can interfere with them.

But there are other packaging options that might work and can be a lot more sustainable. Our Eco-Pack is a perfect example of this.  It can reduce the amount of plastic in each pack by as much as 65% and is made from recycled paper and plastic materials.  The patented design uses a safe to open design that makes it easy to work with and has a strong shelf appeal for customers with plenty of space for branding.

The Eco-Pack also has the same ability to protect the product as other methods of packaging so that items are hard to damage or steal while on the shop floor.  These clam packs are a great alternative to classic clamshell packaging.

Make recycling easy

It is unlikely that we can entirely remove the use of plastic in our lives and businesses.  But by reducing it as much as possible and making it easy to recycle, then this can make a dramatic difference to the environment.  Businesses can take steps in a number of ways from encouraging plastic-conscious behaviours in staff to choose eco-friendly packaging for their products.  These can all do their bit to reduce the plastic problem and ensure that future generations have less impact from our actions to deal with.  And ultimately, we can all aim to be as plastic-free as possible!

Why Use Clamshell Packaging Services to Pack Your Products

The right packaging is a key part of marketing and selling your products.  Not only does it protect the item and reduce the risk of theft, but it also markets the brand and ensures you can tell customers the information they need.  But why would you use Clamshell packaging services?

What is clamshell packaging?

Clamshell packaging is a clever type of packaging that encases the item in clear plastic that is tough and protects the items inside.  You can also pack a number of items together inside the packaging if they are sold together.

It is easy to include cards or information in the clamshell packaging to tell people more about the product such as how to use it or what it contains.  And the clamshell packaging is tamper-proof once sealed plus security tags can easily be added to reduce the risk of theft.

Outsourcing packaging

If clamshell packaging is the ideal solution for your business it doesn’t mean you need to invest in all the equipment and employ staff to create it.  That’s because you can outsource the service to a specialist company who can handle it for you.

This means you don’t need to have any clamshell packaging equipment on the premises.  You prepare your items and then send them to the packaging company who follow the process you have laid out with them to package the items.  This includes any marketing materials and paperwork needed and security measures that are added.

Another benefit is that you can have more than one type of packaging for your products by working with a specialist.  If you need to use blister packaging for some of your products, then a specialist offering different types of packaging can handle all of this in house by the one company.

Click to see more discussions on our clamshell packaging services.