With the growing popularity of sustainable packaging, a number of new resources have emerged that can greatly increase the chances of project success.

In a recent commentary published in Packaging World Magazine (August 2009, page 80), Brian F. Wagner, a Partner at PTIS Global, discussed using external resources for packaging projects. Concerning out-sourcing, he wrote that the use of “consultants, suppliers, universities, and independent research institutes is probably the most common form of leveraging external resources.”

So how can you ensure you correctly utilize all resources? Ask questions! At least three sources immediately come to mind where packaging professionals can freely submit questions and get answers from experts in the industry.
1. Green Packaging Forum (group on LinkedIn.com). With over 1400 international members, this can be a great resource for discussing potential ideas and requesting information for solutions.
2. GreenerPackage.com has discussion forums where an expert network will review and give opinions on submitted questions and ideas. In addition, this site will be releasing a database of sustainable packaging materials that can be used to research the best material and supplier for your application.
3. LinkedIn’s Answers section offers any user the opportunity to ask a question to the general masses. If categorized under “Packaging and Labeling” and “Sustainability”, there can be a diverse and interesting set of responses to your packaging questions. It can be valuable to get opinions from those outside packaging, as they are familiar with general sustainability goals and can advise on good practices found within other fields.

Worried about your customers perceiving your new sustainable packaging as green-washing? There are new resources to help predict consumer reaction as well.

1. Greener Package Guidelines to Sustainability Claims. This document was designed as a broad overview of sustainability claims with guidelines on when they are appropriate. If manufacturers followed these suggestions and voluntarily submitted sustainability claims to a 3rd party for confirmation of claims, brand buyers would have more confidence that they are providing customers with sustainable packages and not green-washed ideas.
2. PackagingLaunch.com can introduce your proposed design to a group of experts who will not hesitate to tell you if they think your sustainability is real or imagined. Founded by JoAnn Hines (PackagingDiva.com), the site can provide valuable input on your new packaging before making the final decision to release.

With the abundance of resources emerging in the packaging industry for sustainable packaging, there should be no excuse for not finding answers about materials. Although opinions are plentiful, the industry is working hard to develop standard guidelines for reporting that will help clarify how truly sustainable a material is.