SUSTAINABILITY
CIRCULAR DESIGNS Adopting an eco-friendly approach to packaging design By Nathalie Gamache
T
oday, consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and are pressuring companies to reduce their environmental footprint. This can have an influence on their purchasing decisions and, as a result, shapes new pack-
aging trends. With the multiplication of eco-friendly options on the market, it is becoming more complex for a company that wants to reduce its packaging environmental footprint to identify the factors that will have a concrete influence. To deal with this complexity and ensure the validity of the approach, there are key principles to guide you in your packaging creation. Minimizing impact through eco-design When designing new packaging, wheth-
44 CANADIANPACKAGING · July/August 2022
er the main focus is to transport goods or to have a shelf impact, the overall weight of its life cycle must be considered from the beginning of the project, in addition to traditional criteria such as ergonomics, safety, performance, aesthetics, and costs. This is the base principle of eco-design.
IMPORTANT CRITERIA TO CONSIDER
To help you make choices aimed at reducing the overall environmental impact at each stage of the packaging’s life cycle you must take into consideration the following important criteria:
• • •
Carefully consider materials and inputs Optimize packaging design Consider Manufacturing process CANADIANPACKAGING.COM