Packaging has made more available to a greater population than ever before. That does not mean that we do not need to consider how it needs to change in response to a changing world.

Things to look for in 2011

• more and better bio-plastics. Read our whitepaper on bioplastics role in wrapping.
• when water use becomes the next “carbon” use issue
• further light-weighting primary packaging
• more reduction in intermediate packaging
• growth in commercial composting facilities
• more attention paid to Life Cycle Analysis.
• attempts to calculate Total Cost of Ownership in buying decisions

For information on LCA, TCO and other issues in sustainable wrapping, see our whitepaper entitled Sustainability in Wrapping.

Things to Think about in 2011

• when and where the trend line between cost of renewable materials and the marketing advantage of being a “greener” company cross
• how to help a consumer distinguish a bio-plastic from a petro-plastic
• whether light-weighting is better than a complete rethink of the primary package
• how the primary package fits in secondary or intermediate packaging
• what are the costs that need to be considered in LCA or TCO?

There is a lot here to think about and a lot of people discussing these issues. We hope you will join the discussion.