Engineers, manufacturers and shippers know that shrink wrapped packages use 20% more film than overwrapped packages and some of them know that switching from shrink wrap to overwrap saves them at least half their current energy costs.
Consumers are becoming savvy about packaging, too.
Consumers have been environmentally conscious for decades, but never has “reduce, reuse, recycle” been more meaningful to consumers than in this economic downturn. Suddenly the depression-era frugality of their grandparents has become the wisdom of consumerism in an age that closely mirrors the economy of the 30’s.
Many of today’s consumers evaluate the environmental impact of the packaging as well as the product inside. In fact, a recent survey found that “significantly more shoppers state they would like to choose environmentally friendly packaging compared to 2010 (36% vs 28%), with fully half still willing to pay more (despite the economy).”1 They want to feel like they’re doing something to help reduce our carbon footprint and helping to dispel the country’s reputation as a “disposable society.”
Film wrap, although it can be recycled, isn’t always easy to recycle. Not all recycling centers accept all films and they are not labeled as to material of origin. That can frustrate an environmentally conscious consumer… and a manufacturer whose product requires a wrap for protection, enhancement and tamper evidence. The solution is for manufacturers to minimize the material used and to consider bio-sourced and compostable films.
If overwrapping is not a option, then Package Machinery has a solution. An energy-efficient, air-tight, size-forgiving new line of wrapping machines, the TFW-380 Flow Wrapper. They offer the same warranty as our overwrappers and will receive the same strong level of support.
Your company may be in the midst of reviewing its internal practices and procedures to find ways to reduce waste and energy consumption. There may be mandates in place requiring measurable decreases in both. Once those are achieved, it’s likely the results will be used to market your company’s commitment to sustainability. It’s not just about compliance anymore; it’s about opportunity and growth.
If you’re still using shrink wrap, look at our current line of overwrappers or our new line of flow wrappers. You’ll save 20 % on film; cut your energy use in half and increase your company’s appeal to the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers.
1 packagingdigest.com “Packaging Consumers Keen to Go Green”, March 13, 2012