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!