In our post, Retailers and Corporate Social Responsibility, we wrote about how retailers are a driving force behind brands evaluating their packaging program to ensure that sustainability is considered from raw material sourcing all the way to design practices. In addition, there is increasing pressure from consumers for brands to take responsibility for the entire life-cycle of their product including the packaging it is sold in. These combined expectations are spurring companies toward more environmentally conscious business practices, enabling eco-driven projects to spearhead innovation.
Retailers have remarkable political and economic influence in the food system and an integral responsibility to demonstrate good corporate citizenship through corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR refers to a company’s practice of taking responsibility for its effects not only on the environment but also on people’s social well-being, going beyond just sustainability.
Resin Identification Codes
Recycling can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking the time to understand RICs, which stand for Resin Identification Codes, can make all the difference in protecting post-consumer recycled materials.
We know that a lot goes into finding the perfect packaging for your product. Not only do you need a package that provides functionality and fits the unique needs of its content, but it is equally important that it showcases your brand personality. Add in cost efficiency and sustainability considerations, and it can quickly become complicated.
We are currently seeing a demand for both compostable and biodegradable packaging options that often originate at the retail level as one of many corporate social responsibility goals to reduce plastic consumption. Bioplastics are also one of the many trends that are unfortunately influenced by ongoing legislation focused on banning single-use packaging without rightly considering all the variables.
