The global packaging industry is worth $ 420 billion .. What is the result of this packaging, most of the time the packaging is just one time use. It is discarded and becomes an environmental burden.
Most of the time we find packaging after serving its purpose of getting the product from point A to point B safe, sound and economically, is wasted. We believe the contents of the packaging have already been paid for by us and what we do with the packaging is totally now our lookout. Whether we use it beneficially for any high value purpose (upcycling) or just throw it around and waste it to be used in landfills etc. (downcycling) is completely our lookout..The global packaging market is estimated to total US$ 424 billion with an annual growth rate of some 3.5 per cent. Europe accounts for US$ 127 billion(30%), North America for US$ 118 billion (28%), Asia for US$ 114 (27%), Central America for US$ 30billion (seven per cent) and other countries for US$ 30 billion (eight ... www.interpack.com
This thought process is totally wrong. I was reading the article Green and Competitive by Micheal Porter and Class Van Der Linde in Harvard Business Review, Sept. Oct '95,(click here for the paper) where in the issue of resource productivity has been discussed in detail.
Packaging has three basic functions :
- It should be lightweight
- Recyclable - reusable and compostable and
- It should offer an enhanced barrier to the material protecting it from the environment impact like dust, dirt, moisture, evaporation, contamination, leakage, pilferage, water, atmosphere, breakage, insects etc..
- Product identification through labeling
- Provides convenience for transporting
- product promotion through the labeling
If packaging is not upcycled, it becomes a burden on the environment.
Porter claims that pollution is basically inefficiency. How can we ensure that this inefficiency either from less developed or less innovative technology or immature uses etc van be leveraged to get great value out of the product.
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