Sustainable packagingGood product, bad package: top sustainable packaging mistakes. While many major corporations are moving toward sustainable manufacturing, supply chain, and operational approaches, one impediment continues to be product packaging.

Many common items are packaged in materials that cannot be recycled. This particular article focuses on some common brand name items, explains what the packaging problems are that prevent recycling, and offers possible solutions for the future.

 

Examples of Sustainable Packaging Challenges

Some common products that are packaged in ways that are unrecyclable include chips and snacks bags, yogurt containers and coffee cups, toothpaste tubes and tooth brushes, plastic bottles, on-line purchased product packages that still use styrofoam and other non-recyclable packing materials, and, yes, even the take-out pizza box because once the cheese gets on the cardboard box, it is problematic to recycle.

The article, accessible on The Guardian website, cites some of the more progressive companies looking to improve the recyclability of their packages.

About the Author: Lauren Boitel

Lauren Boitel is the Executive Director of ImpactNV, a statewide sustainability NGO convener and coalition builder that drives systemic change around economic, environmental, and social sustainability in the Silver State. Lauren has 12 years of experience as a Sustainability Professional in Southern Nevada and teaches Sustainability & Entrepreneurship for the Lee Business School at UNLV.
Published On: July 18, 2014Categories: National - Global, Sustainability in the NewsComments Off on Sustainable Packaging a Challenge for Some Consumer ProductsTags: , , ,