Sustainable perfume packaging endorses the current need to shift towards eco-friendly business operations. Previously, the perfume industry was seen from the beauty, luxury, and elegance perspective. There is a shift in the perspective of the modern manufacturing industry and consumers.
The present consumer is more informed and understands the value of “Green “initiatives. To meet the demands of the modern consumer, perfume manufacturing companies are launching sustainable initiatives. One such initiative is the manufacturing of sustainable packaging.
WHY IS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING THE NEED OF THE HOUR?
Traditional packaging materials are not renewable. The traditional methods of manufacturing perfume packaging are hazardous to the environment. This is because the manufacturing of such packaging depends upon fossil fuels, which are not biodegradable and are harmful to the environment.
Below are some factors that emphasize the importance of sustainable packaging in the modern era:
HAZARDOUS IMPACT ON LIVING BEINGS
The use of hazardous materials and chemicals in perfume packaging has led to hazardous impacts on the people working around them. These materials threaten the environment and human beings.
Companies are responsible for the well-being of employees. It is through sustainable packaging and the use of natural materials that companies can provide a healthy work environment to their employees.
Costly
Nonrenewable energy sources, such as coal or fossil fuels, are very expensive. Running a business on such energy sources can be hazardous and costly for packaging companies.
Fail to Attract the Modern Customers
Present customers are very conscious of the environment and are inclined to use sustainable products. Therefore, when companies produce non-recyclable packaging, they fail to impress the modern consumer.
HOW ARE BRANDS MOVING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PERFUME PACKAGING?
1.Use of recyclable materials
Recyclable materials decompose and become part of the ecosystem. They are not hazardous and not harmful. The modern shift towards sustainable perfume packaging has led to using recyclable packaging materials.
A perfect example of recyclable packaging material for perfume is an FSC-certified paperboard. You might think that paperboard will damage forests and plantations.
Well, that’s not the case. The sourcing of this paperboard comes from sustainably managed forests. Brands use FSC paperboard for the manufacturing of both outer packaging and box inserts.
Using recyclable materials such as FSC paperboard helps reduce deforestation and promote bio-biodiversity. They use such measures to advocate their adherence to their sustainable values.
2.Organic dyes and inks
Dyes and inks are used extensively in perfume labeling. Chemical dyes are a massive threat to the environment and to the people who work around them. They are also responsible for water pollution.
Therefore, many perfume manufacturing companies have a competitive edge using plant-based inks and organic dyes. Abel, a perfume manufacturing company, uses only soy ink and vegetable dyes for the labeling of its perfumes.
The use of organic dyes and inks is safe throughout the supply chain. Firstly, their source is all-natural. They are safe to use inside factories. They are nonhazardous for the people around them.
They decompose naturally into the environment and are also safe for consumers. Consumers can benefit from its natural properties by composting used packaging at their homes.
3.Use of sustainable materials such as glass for perfume bottles
When talking about sustainable perfume packaging, glass is the first material that comes to mind. Nowadays, glass is the most widely used material in the making of eco-friendly perfume bottles.
WHY?
Glass is a sustainable material. It is obtained from all-natural sources and is recyclable.
What makes glass most desirable is its repurposing property. Perfume manufacturing companies have become so conscious that they are moving towards PCR glass.
PCR stands for Post-consumer recyclable glass. PCR glass reduces waste by recycling and repurposing it. Most of all, it reduces the production and demand for virgin glass in perfume packaging.
The use of recyclable packaging materials such as glass is a massive leap towards the initiative of sustainable perfume packaging.
4.Adopting Minimalist Approach
“Less is More”
The minimalist approach is prevalent in the perfume packaging industry. Many perfume brands adopt simplicity yet exclusivity in their packaging designs. These brands do not compromise on the quality of materials. They use quality packaging materials but in a calculated form.
They pay more attention to the essential elements of design. The use of fewer raw materials helps the brands target a specific niche of consumers. These consumers focus more on purchasing products that follow the fashion of sustainable packaging.
One more advantage of minimalist packaging: It is also light in weight, making it easier to carry and transport.
Also, less material is used, which reduces material wastage. Adopting packaging greatly benefits the environment, brands, and consumers.
5.The Re-filling factor
The best part about perfume bottles, especially those made of glass, is that they are refillable. By refilling, you can use your perfume bottles again, reducing the amount of trash and possibly saving some money.
Several brands offer exclusive offers to promote the refilling of used perfume bottles. For example, brands offer consumers reduced prices for re-filling instead of purchasing a new one. This initiative by perfume manufacturing companies is also commendable.
Even if the perfume bottle is made of any other material except glass, you can still refill it. Plastic and bamboo perfume bottles can be refilled, reducing the carbon impact on the environment, which is the result of plastic burning.
6.Recyclable Perfume Closures
Perfume closures, such as caps, lids, sprays, pumps, etc., serve very important purposes. They facilitate manageable outlay and beautify the whole perfume. Perfume closures are made from a variety of materials.
The latest shift towards sustainable perfume packaging has spread awareness about the use of eco-friendly perfume closures as well. Previously, closures were made from plastic, aluminum, or any other metal. These days, closures are made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, wood, and glass.
Perfume closures, especially caps, were very hard to recycle because of their small size. They were also made of a special type of plastic that could not be recycled. However, with modern innovation, perfume bottle manufacturers offer closures that are made from recyclable materials.
7.Technological Advancements
Technological advancements are making significant contributions to a green environment. The use of technology in producing energy-efficient perfume manufacturing processes is evident. Technological advancements are also being used to modernize the perfume packaging industry.
Technological advancements and innovations have made the packaging industry more efficient. This not only preserves energy but also reduces waste. From extracting raw materials to producing more units in less time, technology has revolutionized the packaging industry.
8.Incorporating Seeds within Packaging
A few years ago, who knew that such innovations would even exist? Have you ever considered growing your perfume packaging and turning it into a natural flower or plant? Well, you can do this now. This innovation in the perfume packaging industry is called “seed-embedded packaging.”
Through seed-embedded packaging, perfume packaging companies put seeds inside the packaging. Consumers can literally plant the boxes and grow them into plants. This is the height of creativity and innovation.
This shows the commitment of a perfume manufacturing company or brand towards its eco-friendly corporate social responsibility.
International Brands Promoting Environmental-Friendly Packaging
Sustainable perfume packaging is no more a delusion. It is the reality of the time. This can be proved by looking at the following examples of popular brands. These brands are endorsing and adopting sustainable practices in packaging and production.
Paco Rabanne
This brand not only makes sustainable perfume packaging but also vegan perfume. Among its most popular fragrances is Lady Million. This brand is considered to be one of the first perfume brands to contribute to sustainable packaging and eco-friendly perfume ingredients.
This brand first produced its recyclable aluminum bottle in 1997.
Jean-Paul Gaultier’
Jean Paul Gaultier is another famous brand that promotes sustainable perfume packaging and ingredients. This brand sources 55 percent of its glass requirements from recyclable materials.
Not just glass, it also sources 66 percent of its metal requirements from recyclable material. This means most of the perfume package requirements are fulfilled from recyclable raw materials.
Lush Cosmetics
Another popular name contributing to packaging is Lush Cosmetics, which promotes environmental factors in brands and packaging. It promotes sustainability by encouraging customers to return their used bottles so that the brand can recycle and reuse them.
Advantages of Sustainable Perfume Packaging
The most important advantage of sustainable perfume packaging is that it does not threaten the environment. Other than this, there are several other advantages, which are as follows:
- It reduces the effect of carbon dioxide on the manufacturing process because it does not rely on energy sources such as fossil fuels and coal.
- Since the consumer is eco-conscious, it attracts consumers interested in reusable products and packaging. Research indicates that seventy-six consumers prefer sustainable packaging over pretty packaging.
- Using sustainable materials does not harm the health of people working in packaging industries or threaten animals.
- Sustainable operations and materials increase brand value. Showing how much the perfume brand is committed to its sustainability values will increase its worth.
- It enhances brand reputation and earns brand loyalty by showing consumers how much the company values its own sustainability vision.
CONCLUSION
The sustainable perfume packaging concept has u deniable advantages. It benefits all partners. From environment to consumers and packaging industry everything has something to gain.
Eco-friendly perfume bottles in sustainable packaging materials are the most feasible way to attract modern consumers.