Eco-Friendly Packaging Options
At Showcase Creative, we are proud of our eco-friendly credentials. That said, we are always looking for ways to make our products more environmentally friendly.
It’s our job to educate our clients on what is possible and encourage them to choose more sustainable solutions. However, it is ultimately up to the customer to make the final decision about which options to choose. We know that giving them the correct information makes the entire process easier.
Shorter runs of products, such as influencer boxes that are designed for the end user to keep, have a lower environmental impact than longer runs of retail packaging. That’s why it’s important to think more carefully about the materials and processes used when producing longer runs. This is especially true if we expect the packaging to be recycled or thrown away once opened.
Improvements in Paper
When it comes to paper, UK mills have improved their offering in recent years. Thankfully, plenty of beautiful eco-options are available, ranging from responsibly sourced FSC-certified paper to speciality papers made from recycled single-use coffee cups.
These papers are available in a wide variety of colours and textures – there are thousands of options to choose from. In addition, the Showcase Creative team can use swatch books and sample sheets to help guide your paper decisions. We can even produce mock-ups with your chosen paper selection to help you make your final decision.
Lamination Options
Lamination can be a tricky one, as it is resource intensive and reduces recycling possibilities. However, it is often required to protect the print and add durability to the box. This is especially the case in short runs, where inkjet printing is required to produce the desired graphics.
Although eco-friendly laminating films are available, they still have a more significant environmental impact and come with their own set of problems.
We can reduce the need for lamination on short runs by opting for an attractive eco-friendly paper selection for the box base and using graphics and lamination only where needed.
For longer runs, we usually recommend lamination alternatives in the form of responsibly sourced uncoated paper coupled with an eco-friendly lithographic print or hot foil. This method produces a premium look and feel with no compromise on sustainability.
Alternatives to Foam Fitments
Foam is a favourite for creating fitments that display your products while keeping them securely in place.
Although some types of foam can be recycled, it isn’t easily done with general household recycling processes.
That’s why we offer a few alternatives, including specially engineered folding card fitments. Our clever cardboard engineers can create intricate templates with a variety of layers and techniques to secure your items in place.
We have also pioneered a new alternative to foam fitments. It retains many of the properties of foam but is completely recycled and compostable. We use layers of honeycomb board, which are then CAD cut to the profile of the item.
We usually add coloured or printed topper paper to finish it off. The honeycomb board comes in a kraft paper colour as standard; however, black and white options are also available. The result is a stylish and eco-friendly foam substitute that provides the products with the support they need.
Eco-Friendly Fasteners and Embellishments
Magnets are widely used to hold lids closed on the case and base boxes. They give a lovely and satisfying ‘snap’ when the box closes. Unfortunately, magnets aren't the most eco-friendly option, but there are box closure alternatives. For instance, we have also developed a hidden cardboard tab technique that folds into a cavity between the base and the case, thus securing the lid in place.
Ribbon ties are another elegant solution. When it comes to the ribbon itself, there are more eco-friendly options available. We offer a range of ribbons made from recycled paper - it’s actually difficult to tell the difference between these ribbons and traditional ribbons!
Eco-friendly Packaging Can Be Beautiful and Effective
Hopefully, this post has given you some ideas about what is possible for sustainable packaging. Your packaging can be attractive and durable while still going easy on the planet.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any of our eco-friendly packaging options with one of our experts.
