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Green Packaging

Many companies are beginning to package their products in green packaging materials. These packaging materials are often made from plant fibers such as cellulose, the material that gives plant cell walls their strength. Cellulose can be manufactured to look just like low density polyethylene and perform in much the same way. It provides a clear protective barrier for the product, but can easily biodegrade.

Green packaging is a little more expensive than traditional packing methods, but the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. Investors will often be more likely to invest capital in a company with sustainability standards. This is because there is often less government regulations and penalties on green companies, and less environmental risks. Green companies often advertise how environmentally friendly they are, increasing sales and product reputation.

The use of bioplastics is becoming more common with green packaging. Bioplastics are plastics that are derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable oil and corn starch. Regular plastics are derived from petroleum. Bioplastics are biodegradable, but are not always meant to be thrown away. Many are designed for cell phones, carpets and for making electrical components that will last, but are made from renewable sources. Often the disadvantage to bioplastics is that they are water soluble, so shelf life is shortened, but many improvements and innovations are currently being made.

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