September 20 2026 was World Cleanup Day, a movement which started in 2008 in Estonia where 50,000 people cleaned the entire country in a single day. Now 212 countries worldwide take part in the annual global program to help tackle the waste crisis. More than anything it’s a great reminder for us all to help do our part to keep the planet clean, and for those of us in an industry that produces waste, a chance to evaluate our own environmental impact.
We are green-minded business owners and eco-friendly pioneers of our industry, so we know better than most the importance of waste reduction. Long ago we named this very blog “Inside Sustainable and Branded Packaging” in order to focus on topics of sustainably sourced packaging. What’s more is that we now have almost 20 years of a proven track-record of producing eco-friendly packaging products and helping reduce packaging waste. That process all starts with structural packaging design.
Intentional Sustainable Design
When we gave our website an overhaul a few years ago, one of the new pages we were very eager to include was titled Intentional Sustainable Design. It details the beginnings of the ecommerce shift and the added stream of packages flowing from businesses to people’s homes and the environmental impact. Our mission from the beginning has been to not only be aware of this impact, but to do our part to help be a part of the solution, not the problem. We realize that our role is literally “ground zero,” meaning once the packaging is out in the world, it is really too late to consider the what ifs of the recyclability and reusability of the packaging. The considerations must be made at the design table where everything from board type, board grade, the amount of board used, the box structure, internal packaging components, and all else factor into the final packaging footprint. We understand that it isn’t enough to just ask, “can this plastic packaging be replaced with paper packaging?” It must also be asked, “can this paper packaging be reduced to less paper packaging?” In other words, can the size be reduced, or a structural change implemented to reduce board? Often times the answer is yes.
A Bottom Line Benefit
Saving the planet isn’t just the ethical thing to do, it also can save you and your business a lot of unnecessary cost. Right-sizing your packaging and eliminating excess board/packaging waste can lower your per unit cost substantially. It will also likely result in large freight/shipping savings when you factor in dimensional weight charges. A revamped design can also be a great way to save money with your fulfillment team by simplifying processes and making the packing steps easier and more efficient. Companies that benefit from these savings are more likely to stay in business longer, and more eco-conscious, sustainable-focused companies that stay in business is of course, a net positive for the planet!
Please Contact Us Today
We want to examine your current design and see where there is room for improvement. Please reach out to us for a no cost, no obligation packaging consultation. As always, if you have any questions, one of our branded packaging advisors is standing by to assist, with decades of experience behind them. Please call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us via email at www.SalazarPackaging.com.
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https://www.salazarpackaging.com/sustainable-packaging-and-natural-corrugated-boxes/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/earth-day-message-sustainable-packaging-the-forgotten-r/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/eco-obvious-ecommerce-packaging/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/reuse-the-forgotten-r-in-sustainability/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/how-to-ship-a-less-expensive-greener-box-to-your-customers/