Do any of the professionals here know of a website that helps consumers to find the greenest packaging?
I would love to find a site that actually listed manufacturers, in order to shop greener, and to petition stores to favor green packaging.
Thanks!
I have a blog where a show sustainable packagings all over the world, but this site is in portuguese, my mother language.
I also write about packaging recycling and sugestions of how to reuse package to do other products.
Well you posed your question to the correct site. Greenerpackage have been populating their database since Oct 2009 and expect to go live the first quarter of 2010. If you have not already noticed the discussion, Greener Package database now open for packaging supplier data entry [9], give it a perusal.
Your question in my mind however, deserves a more thorough explanation than pointing you off to a website. Considerations have to be given to the product; if it’s for consumption then the processing method influences the package selection, as does the ambient product characteristics, the distribution chain, the quantity per package, resealability to mention but a few of the criteria.
Branding factors into the equation as well; is it a premium product, generic or private label. All these considerations narrow down the package of choice.
Greening of the package requires further tailoring to the application and recycling demographics. Lots of choices to be made that need to follow a well defined scope to secure a green product life cycle. During this initial reorientation period its imperative that we design to a grand scheme that not only builds but focuses on the long view. Lets create the legacy that will sustain the well being of humanity and our industry for generations to come.
I support Dean’s comment and would like to add, ... It’s not just the question of which biopolymer material has the lowest carbon footprint (as measured by CO2 eq./lb. of polymer) or uses the lowest megajoules/lb. that qualifies the ‘greenest’ material. Rather, the challenge is to determine how relevant the actual carbon footprint is in relation to the packaging’s functionality.
It is essential to first assess the individual product’s packaging requirements such as product protection needs, shelf life requirements, display demands, puncture resistance, gas and moisture barriers, etc., and then determine which packaging material with the smallest carbon footprint meets those needs.
Functionality in the packaging role is by far the most important factor!
Links:
[1] http://www.greenerpackage.com/print/2134
[2] http://www.greenerpackage.com/printmail/2134
[3] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20
[4] http://www.greenerpackage.com/
[5] http://www.greenerpackage.com/discuss
[6] http://www.greenerpackage.com/discuss/green_resources
[7] http://www.greenerpackage.com/green_resources
[8] http://www.greenerpackage.com/members/sofunky2
[9] http://www.greenerpackage.com/green_resources/greener_package_database_now_open_packaging_supplier_data_entry
[10] http://www.embalagemsustentavel.com.br
[11] http://www.greenerpackage.com/comment/reply/2134/1602
[12] http://www.greenerpackage.com/members/dean_bellefleur
[13] http://www.greenerpackage.com/comment/reply/2134/1605
[14] http://www.greenerpackage.com/members/malcolm_cohn
[15] http://www.greenerpackage.com/comment/reply/2134/1606
[16] http://www.greenerpackage.com/user
[17] http://www.greenerpackage.com/filter/tips/1#filter-inline
[18] http://www.greenerpackage.com/filter/tips
I have a blog where a show sustainable packagings all over the world, but this site is in portuguese, my mother language.
I also write about packaging recycling and sugestions of how to reuse package to do other products.
Well you posed your question to the correct site. Greenerpackage have been populating their database since Oct 2009 and expect to go live the first quarter of 2010. If you have not already noticed the discussion, Greener Package database now open for packaging supplier data entry [9], give it a perusal.
Your question in my mind however, deserves a more thorough explanation than pointing you off to a website. Considerations have to be given to the product; if it’s for consumption then the processing method influences the package selection, as does the ambient product characteristics, the distribution chain, the quantity per package, resealability to mention but a few of the criteria.
Branding factors into the equation as well; is it a premium product, generic or private label. All these considerations narrow down the package of choice.
Greening of the package requires further tailoring to the application and recycling demographics. Lots of choices to be made that need to follow a well defined scope to secure a green product life cycle. During this initial reorientation period its imperative that we design to a grand scheme that not only builds but focuses on the long view. Lets create the legacy that will sustain the well being of humanity and our industry for generations to come.
I support Dean’s comment and would like to add, ... It’s not just the question of which biopolymer material has the lowest carbon footprint (as measured by CO2 eq./lb. of polymer) or uses the lowest megajoules/lb. that qualifies the ‘greenest’ material. Rather, the challenge is to determine how relevant the actual carbon footprint is in relation to the packaging’s functionality.
It is essential to first assess the individual product’s packaging requirements such as product protection needs, shelf life requirements, display demands, puncture resistance, gas and moisture barriers, etc., and then determine which packaging material with the smallest carbon footprint meets those needs.
Functionality in the packaging role is by far the most important factor!