The beverage industry has been caught in the wave of sustainability across all parts of its operations. Packaging, more than any other area, is where the impact of sustainable demands is felt. Notably, it is an area where change can be easily seen and progress measured.
With increasing demands from consumers and, in some cases, governments, beverage companies are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Most of the demands center around the need to combat climate change and make the environment safe for future generations. Therefore, reducing waste and, consequently, carbon footprints is a goal for many industries.
Adopting recyclable and reusable packaging is one way for the beverage industry to address the problem of waste. In response to the demand for sustainability, some industry leaders are forging the path to the future with zero waste as the goal. Now that we have gotten this far, let’s examine how stakeholders are working towards this future.
How Beverage Packaging is Changing
Stakeholders are exploring various ways to reduce waste, working towards a future where sustainability is the norm. For many, packaging is the first and most remarkable place to start. This fact is not hard to understand. For a long time, most beverages are packaged in plastic bottles, which are often not recycled properly. Most end up in landfills after single uses, contributing to climate concerns across the world.
Now, beverage companies are exploring sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bottles. Most of the efforts are geared toward using recyclable and reusable options. Some innovative companies are exploring custom-printed bottles designed with sustainability in mind.
As concerns about sustainability increase, beverage companies are exploring various eco-friendly solutions to achieve set goals. Most importantly, eliminating plastic bottles is a long-term goal for many who currently opt for recyclable and reusable materials. As the push towards sustainability becomes more pronounced, you can expect more eco-friendly materials to become the preferred choice for packaging beverages.
Sustainable Beverage Packaging Options
Ignorance is no longer an excuse for anyone interested in making eco-conscious decisions. For beverages, several packaging options are available for recycling and reuse. These sustainable containers are often made with materials that make recycling or reuse easy. Let’s examine available options under each category.
Recyclable Packaging
Recyclable packaging options are often made with a single material to facilitate the process. Combining different, possibly incompatible, materials can make recycling difficult, defeating the purpose, as such bottles often end up in landfills. That said, here are some common recyclable materials used for packaging in the beverage industry.
- Paper-Based Cartons: Most industries looking to phase out plastics are exploring paper-based alternatives. The beverage industry is the same. Many companies are exploring paperboard packaging with biodegradable linings to make cartons for drinks instead of bottles.
- Recycled PET: In phasing out plastics, some are taking the slow approach, reducing single-use by recycling bottles. These PET bottles are still plastic, but their recycling capacity reduces dependency on virgin materials, leading to lower environmental impacts.
- Aluminum Cans: Aluminum cans are becoming popular choices for eco-conscious beverage companies. The appeal lies in the fact that aluminum can be recycled multiple times and requires less energy to process than virgin materials.
- Glass Bottles: Glass is another material that can be recycled several times, making it a top choice for a beverage brand looking to phase out plastics. Although it is energy-intensive to produce, it makes up for this by maintaining the quality of the product.
Reusable Packaging
Below are some of the major options used by beverage businesses switching to reusable packaging.
- Refillable Glass Bottles: Many brands exploring loop systems through reusable packaging often pick glass as their go-to material. This material is highly preferred because it is elegant, serves aesthetic purposes, and is durable.
- Aluminium and Stainless Steel Bottles: Other durable materials enjoying favor from beverage companies are aluminum and stainless steel.
- Loop Systems: Some beverage companies partner with third parties to acquire reusable bottles, allowing customers to return them for cleaning and reuse.
Benefits of Using Sustainable Beverage Packaging
Using sustainable packaging offers various benefits for stakeholders, irrespective of their stakes in the beverage industry. Firstly, relevant stakeholders include:
- Beverage Companies: Beverage companies are at the center of all conversations around sustainable packaging in the industry. They have the most important role of creating packaging that aligns with society’s environmental goals. For them, this could also be an avenue to brand themselves as eco-conscious businesses.
- Packaging Suppliers: The bulk of packaging is often outsourced to third parties, who create containers to hold products, especially for transportation during the supply chain. Wholesale packaging of beverages usually involves a lot of plastic, involving the parties involved in the discussion of sustainability.
- Eco-Conscious Consumers: Consumers have a role to play, too, as their demands often shape what manufacturers create. More consumers’ demand for eco-conscious packaging will compel brands to oblige to keep their market.
Now, here are ways using sustainable packaging benefits the businesses adopting them:
- Regulatory compliance: Governments, through Food and Drug Administrations, are enforcing strict regulations on plastic usage, forcing brands to adopt sustainable practices.
- Meeting consumer preference: Consumers also demand more sustainability from brands, and failing to meet these trends can result in losing market share.
- Creating a stronger brand image: Faced with such pressure from all angles, beverage companies are adopting eco-friendly packaging to draw positive appeal from the public.
Final Thoughts on the Future of Beverage Packaging
The future of beverage packaging is undoubtedly changing rapidly. Innovative brands must make noticeable moves toward carving a niche for themselves in that future. Of course, that would demand swift changes in the present, as all stakeholders align in their desire to promote sustainability.
