Demand for carboard boxes and customised packaging has also increased as delivery services ramp up with the increase of ecommerce sites and online retailers. The worldwide pandemic was a boom for online businesses and food takeaway services leading to a spike for the packaging industry.
We understand we only have finite resources at our fingertips, so it is up to the packaging industry to come up with innovative technologies to meet this ever-increasing pressure to deliver sustainable products.
Gone are the days where we take, make, and throw away. We know we need a different approach.
As retail demand grows, so too does the need for packaging and the paper industry has adapted and morphed to keep up.
So, what is in store for the paper packaging industry?
Paper packaging is designed to be recycled
The not-for-profit Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has set a target of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. The organisation is leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Australian businesses are making simple packaging choices to meet their own sustainability targets by embracing paper bags and corrugated mailing cartons and turning away from plastic.
These products can be customised with logos and graphics to suit every business. In most cases the packaging is the first touchpoint that a customer will have with a business, so it makes sense to make the most of this connection by branding paper bags and boxes.
The paper bags and cardboard boxes can then be recycled and made into more paper bags and cardboard boxes. While the fibres in the paper gets shorter over repeated uses, kraft brown paper can be recycled up to 7 times.
Branded Bags as Marketing
Custom printed packaging has increased as savvy retailers understand how important promoting their brand is to their bottom line.
Smartbag has seen a surge in requests for fast printed paper bags in recent times as small businesses and large corporations take advantage of this convenient and inexpensive way to advertise to a wider audience. Each customer who walks away with a branded bag becomes an advocate for that retailer.
A cost-effective merchandising tool, the personalised shopping bag acts as a walking billboard for your company.
Paper bottles
Paper-based solutions as an alternative to plastic are appearing across a range of industries. Unilever, one of the World’s biggest consumer goods companies, is trialling a paper bottle for its OMO detergent in Brazil. Developed by technology company Pulpex, the renewable pulp bottle technology was designed in collaboration with Diageo (a global leader in premium drinks such as Johnnie Walker and Guinness) and venture management company, Pilot Lite. The sustainable bottles can easily hold liquids and can be recycled after use. Pulpex is also working with Kraft Heinz Company to develop the first ever paper sauce bottle.
Stretchy paper
Mondi, a global leader in paper and packaging, has developed a stretchy, puncture resistant paper wrapping for heavy pallets during transport. This product has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of plastic wrap used to secure goods in transit.
They have also developed a paper solution to take the place of plastic shrink wrap for drink bottles. Their Hug&Hold packing product helps stacking the drink bottles as well as keeps them secure during transportation.
Another innovation in the beverage industry are recyclable paper-based fasteners that cover the top of the traditional six-pack of bottles. And canned goods are now being wrapped in renewable paper packaging instead of plastic.
Poopoopaper
Yes, you read that correctly. Poopoopaper. More specifically, paper made from the fibres in animal dung from elephants, donkeys, and cows. A company in Thailand discovered that animal waste, high in fibre content, is perfect for making paper. Although it does need a bit of work to collect and clean the raw materials. They make a range of journals, stationery and gift product from the odour-less paper and a portion of their profits goes to animal conservation causes.
Corn husk, sugar cane, coconut husks are also proving a valuable resource when it comes to making paper. While these sources are labour-intensive to make paper, it will not be long before innovations in the industry will refine these processes to make them more commercially viable.
The Sky’s the Limit
Bio-based products are popping up across the globe in every industry. As consumers demand products that are ultimately better for our planet, paper bag manufacturers are constantly looking to produce goods more sustainably. The general public is constantly demanding more reusable and recyclable alternatives that are sustainable for the future.
The paper industry across the world is a dynamic industry, proactively seeking out ways to benefit the environment and there are sure to be more innovations just around the corner.
Your business can join the movement too by using customised paper bags. Utilising sustainable bags for your business sends a clear message to your customers that your company is committed to the environment by using renewable and recyclable products.