It’s not uncommon to hear the myth that consumers don’t care about sustainable packaging. However, recent research by McKinsey paints a different picture—one that challenges this assumption and offers a compelling case for the flexible packaging industry to embrace sustainability wholeheartedly. Consumer Preferences are Shifting For years, some believed that sustainability was a niche concern, something only a select few consumers cared about. But McKinsey’s findings tell a different story. They reveal a significant shift in consumer preferences, one where sustainability is no longer a distant ..read more

All major brand owners are transitioning away from the intentional use of PFAS in their packaging due to existing and upcoming legislation banning these materials. Emmerson Packaging will eliminate the intentional use of PFAS in our products and be fully compliant by January 1, 2024.  What do you need to do? Confirm with your existing packaging suppliers that they are aware and staying ahead of this industry change to ensure you are compliant. Inform your management teams of this upcoming industry change. Keep your customers informed regarding this change and how this change will benefi ..read more

It is no longer enough for a brand to focus solely on functionality or emotional appeal. Today’s consumers also expect social responsibility from businesses. With increased media scrutiny on plastic packaging, many consumers are seeking out products they believe to be more sustainable than single-use plastics. However, truly sustainable packaging decisions are more complex than replacing one material with another. As sustainable packaging leaders, we have a responsibility to help people understand that there is more to sustainability than shifting away from plastics entirely. The Challenges of ..read more

See some of the bad habits that get in the way of success for frozen food suppliers Being a successful food broker and distributor means keeping a lot of plates in the air. The goal is to make it all look seamless to your clients. Your clients want a sustainable printer, that will provide cost savings through its pricing quotes, with a solid guarantee to its on-time delivery. So, what could go wrong? See some of the bad habits that get in the way of success for frozen food suppliers.  Habit #1: Choosing Price Over Performance The impact of missing a launch date for a new SKU is huge. Best ..read more

Learn how to get all the benefits of polyethylene with this strong plant-based alternative Consumers are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire to know what their packaging is made of. Packaging is being viewed as important as the ingredients in the end product. Consumer preference toward sustainably packaged products continues to put the spotlight on brands. Consumer awareness about plastic waste in the environment in the past few years has exploded.  Picture your typical buyer, trying to figure out which product to purchase. They’re in ‘buying mode’ and in the midst of their bus ..read more

Learn how your brand can become more sustainable by including post-consumer recycled material in your product packaging We can’t seem to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV without seeing the impact plastics are having on the environment. Packaging Digest, in partnership with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, did a survey in 2018 and the results were shocking. Nearly everyone taking the survey— 93%—believes environmental concerns regarding plastic packaging will continue to grow.  If eco-friendly packaging isn’t part of your branding, it’s still important in the mind of consumers, so ..read more

The term “clean label” is confusing, not only to consumers but to retailers too. There are many variations as to what this means, it’s easy to get lost in translation. It’s no wonder why there is a growing trust gap for consumer-brands. AT Kearney published a global report, cited in ‘What’s New at Global’ magazine, March edition, on consumer trust in corporations and brands, stating in 2013, 36% of consumers had little to no trust, and today this has increased to 55% in the US and 57% in the UK.  Brand transparency is one of the biggest drivers behind consumer behaviour today, and consume ..read more

Incorporating sustainability into your business is important, and perhaps the most crucial strategic step, your company will make.  With big brands and retailers making headlines by setting ambitious sustainability goals, and regulations becoming stricter as government initiatives lead to pressure on companies to go green, consumers worldwide think making more sustainable choices is important to their well-being. We’ve talked with many brand owners who at first believed that the cost of sustainable packaging was too high to be worth the risk of the transition. This is an outdated belief t ..read more

Biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable, with multiple options for sustainable packaging, how can you be certain which is better for your product, your consumers, and the environment? Companies in the frozen food, pet food, and towel and tissue industries who haven’t yet “gone green” are lagging behind their more forward-thinking competitors in the area of sustainable packaging.  Recyclable Packaging Technically speaking, all packaging is recyclable, however, whether a given package is recycled is entirely dependent on whether a resell market exists for the materials for that ..read more

Conventional wisdom has usually said that paper is the more environmentally friendly packaging material. However, there is more to the debate than you might think. For years there has been the debate on whether paper packaging is better for the environment than plastic. While the general belief is that paper products are more environmentally friendly because they are made from a renewable source, but the argument that paper is more sustainable than plastic is not so straight forward. Some of these misconceptions are due to not considering the entire life cycle of the bag. It is not a simple ca ..read more