Packaging

Assessing the impact of your packaging use in your business is key to cutting out waste and improving the sustainability of your practice. Packaging is often made with manmade materials that may not be recyclable such as types of plastic that end up in landfills or the ocean. Packaging made with new raw materials from the environment, such as paper products can be recycled but still contribute to the depletion of natural resources. Packaging is a major contributor to our global waste problem. 

Packaging and Print:

Data collected for the EU found that in 2018 the packaging waste generated was estimated at 174.1 kg per inhabitant in the EU and plastic waste accounted for 19.1% of this.

The UK Environment Agency reported that 11.5 million tonnes of packaging waste arose in the UK in 2017 and 7.4 million tonnes of this was recycled. Out of the 11.5 million tonnes of packaging, there was 2.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste, of which 1 million tonnes was recycled.

That means in 2017 alone, there was 4.1 million tonnes of packaging waste that arose in the UK that was not recycled or recovered. That is 512,500 builders skips of packaging.  

However, there are options for sustainable and circular packaging solutions that can lower your consumption of new raw materials and your contribution to waste.  

We have compiled a selection of research and resources below for understanding the options available for sustainable packaging and paper.

Sally Grant in the studio by James Robertson.

What does sustainable packaging mean?

Packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable and made of materials which have been sustainably sourced.  

• Packaging that has been designed using low energy consumption.  

• Packaging that has been designed with sustainability in mind such as through circular design approaches that encourage reuse.  

• For recycled paper products, 100% post-consumer wastepaper stock is recommended.  

• For inks, look for vegetable or other bio ink.  

• Keep your paper recyclable – avoid lamination or UV varnishes.  

• Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) paper is certification signifying paper has not been bleached with chlorine. This is managed by the Chlorine Free Paper Alliance.  

• The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification certifies forests that are managed sustainably for nature and communities. FSC labelled packaging signifies that the wood based project has been produced with wood from sustainably and legally managed forests.  

• Production factories that have an ISO 14001 certification, signifies they have systematically worked on incorporating environmental considerations into their business.  

• In the instance where plastic boxes may be needed for durability (i.e. large silver items): consider recycled material available locally, or alternatives. 

Sally Grant in the studio by James Robertson.

Packaging Tips:

• Ask if a client needs a box/bag if making a sale in person.

• Re-use old packaging (e.g. to send to suppliers), or ask for clients’ unused jewellery box for their new item.

• Explore eco-friendly brown parcel tape, clear biodegradable cellotape, recycled bubble wrap, plant-based/biodegradable packing peanuts and recyclable packing straw (shredded paper).

• Avoid ordering packaging in excess or applying branding which can’t be removed.

• Explore natural, organic, second hand and local packaging alternatives.