There are two sides to every packaging story and what’s going on behind the manufacturing and distribution scene that no one ever considers. Packaging is under attack and in most cases unjustly so. Plus there is a big contingent against any type of packaging. Simply put, no packaging is n impossibility unless you want to regress your lifestyle about 100 years.

Packaging had evolved from simple vessels that stored and protected food and beverages to the sophisticated packaging we see today. Depending upon the culture the packaging needs change. The more sophisticated and affluent the society the more packaging that is consumed. As income grows so does discretionary spending. Increasing demand for goods and services requires more products and packaging.

The media loves to criticize packaging. Phrases like the great “garbage patch” and “wrap rage” incite consumers into frenzy against packaging.  As we move forward in the coming years packaging needs to be reconsidered from all aspects. Yes, it does contribute to 1/3 of the garbage in the landfills. Yes, many products are over packaged and the packaging can and should be reduced. Yes, the packaging industry needs to do a better job in resolving packaging problems and creating waste.

We need to look at packaging from a different perspective. Keeping all the primary functions in place: transporting, protecting, containing, securing, educating and informing the consumer about what’s inside. Yet, at the same time keeping awareness about what we can do to lessen the societal impact of packaging.

People want goods and products convenience isn’t going away, so how do we marry the two?  Let’s consider the issue: consumers still want convenience yet at the same time less packaging an products packaged in more eco friendly materials.  It’s up to the manufacturers and GPG companies now to solve the issue.

I’ve written before about the 6 R’s of more environmentally friendly packaging: Reduce, refill, reuse, repurpose, renew and recycle @ http://packaginguniversity.com/blog/2010/02/12/packaging-%e2%80%9cgreen%e2%80%9d-for-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/.

But this is just the beginning of rethinking the packaging paradigm.

What would you like to see or suggest that packaging companies consider?

More eco friendly materials;

Less over all product packaging;

Goods and services produced closer to home;

More paper less plastic;

More bio plastics and less of other materials;

Packaging that solves more problems?

This is just the beginning and with consumer support the packaging industry can solve these problems. So before you put on the gorilla suit for people against packaging give us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions about what you would like the packaging industry to implement to marry consumers wants and needs with today’s contemporary packaging.

If you buy candy it comes in a package. If you buy or have flowers delivered they were shipped in a package of some sort.

Even cards were delivered to the store in a box or if you buy boxed in bulk.

The point is we simply cannot eliminate packaging in our everyday lives. What we can do however, is figure out ways to make it better, more efficient and maybe even have a second life.

As we prepare for the coming “Packaging Wars” that is people against packaging, it’s time to rethink the role of product packaging. The packaging jobs we cannot eliminate, protect, convey, keep clean, sanitary, fresh, educate and to sell what’s inside. What needs to be considered is what to do with it is after the product is consumed or used is a major problem. Approximately 30% of landfills consist of packaging materials.

Can we effectively reduce packaging by considering the “lifecycle” of packaging?

That is from conception to the ultimate disposal. That’s how packaging solutions are born not just by reducing the amount of packaging material or changing the material is made out of to a supposedly more “eco” friendly alternative.

Ponder how packaging can be integrated into the entire big picture of consumer products. We need to rethink the entire way products are packaged. Yes, many products are overpackaged. But what most consumers don’t understand is that we can’t have products without packaging and what manufactures and CPG’s don’t understand is that consumers want to see lees of it. There in lies the problem, miscommunication about the role of product packaging!

Right now most environmental solutions consist of the 6’Rs.

Recycle: Partner with a company that will turn use packaging into something else after it has been used or consumed;

Example: Terracycle where CPG products are turned into other usable products for sale.

Reduce: That is use less packaging where possible such as reconfiguring a design for better space utilization or lightweighting packaging materials;

Example: Wal-Mart reconfiguring the traditional milk jug to a square bottle.

Refill: Have a container that can be easily refilled with products using a lot less packaging material;

Example: Method refillable cleaning products where you buy a designer container and refill with flexible pouches.

Via SustainableIsGood.com

Renew: Consider using packaging from the renewal natural resources. This is where are the “eco” materials are coming into play;

Example: Plantable packaging embedded with seeds.

Cargo Plant Love (plantable container)

Repurpose: Design the packaging with another purpose in mind after it has been consumed making the package turn into another product.

Example: Pizza boxes that tear apart into plates.

Reuse: Buy products in packaging that can be used over and over again.

Example: Glass bottles that can be refilled.

These are a start but not the ultimate answer.  So stay tuned for ideas thoughts and potential solutions. You have plenty of time to “green “ your packaging for Valentines Day next year.