Introduction

Promotional products are a vital part of marketing, but their packaging often contributes significantly to environmental degradation. PPAI developed this guide to provide practical steps for distributors and suppliers to minimize plastic and overall waste in packaging, enabling members to directly contribute to a more sustainable future for our industry.

Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, laws, have been enacted in five U.S. states and all but three Canadian provinces. Reducing your packaging is a good way to prepare for compliance as these laws take effect and spread to more states.

Understanding The Problem

Key Facts:

  • Plastic Packaging: Accounts for roughly 40% of plastic usage globally, a significant portion of which ends up as waste.
  • U.S. Waste Statistics: In 2018, containers and packaging contributed 82.2 million tons of municipal solid waste in the U.S.

Environmental Impact:

  • Plastic: Takes centuries to decompose, breaking down into microplastics that infiltrate ecosystems and harm marine life.
  • Paper: Production is highly water-intensive and contributes to deforestation.
  • Styrofoam: Non-biodegradable and releases toxic chemicals, furthering environmental harm.

Sustainable Packaging Alternatives

Recyclable Materials:

  • Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics: Reduces reliance on virgin plastic, lowering environmental impact.
  • Aluminum: A highly recyclable material with a smaller environmental footprint.

Reusable Solutions:

  • Fabric Pouches: Made from cotton or jute, these pouches are sturdy and reusable.
  • Reusable Boxes: Designed for multiple uses, encouraging customers to keep and reuse them.

Innovative Materials:

  • Mushroom Packaging: Made from mycelium and agricultural waste; fully biodegradable and compostable.
  • Seaweed-Based Packaging: Edible and compostable, providing an innovative alternative.

Biodegradable and Compostable Options:

  • PLA (Polylactic Acid): A biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources like corn starch.
  • PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates): A bioplastic produced through microbial fermentation; completely biodegradable

Best Practices For Distributors And Suppliers

Implementing sustainable packaging requires adopting best practices across every step of the supply chain:

  • Choose Sustainable Packaging Suppliers: Collaborate with suppliers who prioritize sustainable materials and practices.
  • Focus on Recyclable Options: Select packaging widely accepted as recyclable, such as recycled paper.
  • Reduce Packaging Size and Weight: Optimize design to minimize materials, which also reduces freight costs.
  • Implement Return and Reuse Programs: Encourage customers to return packaging for reuse, creating a circular approach.
  • Encourage Bulk Shipping: Minimize individual packages by shipping in bulk wherever possible.

Implementing Changes In Your Business

Conduct a Packaging Audit: Assess your current materials and processes to identify opportunities for improvement. Analyze design, material sources and recycling potential to uncover areas for enhanced sustainability.

Set Waste Reduction Goals: Define measurable goals for reducing waste, and track your progress with tools like the Footprint Tracker.

Train Staff: Empower employees to participate in sustainable practices by providing training on waste reduction, recycling and responsible packaging.

Communicate Changes: Share your sustainability efforts with clients and stakeholders. Highlighting success stories inspires others and fosters open dialogue about challenges and solutions.

Regulatory And Certification Information

Regulations:

EPR Laws:

Certifications:

Case Studies

Success Stories:

Additional Resources

Conclusion

Reducing packaging waste benefits the environment and enhances your brand’s reputation. By adopting the practices in this guide, distributors and suppliers can significantly impact sustainability. Teamwork makes the dreamwork – collaboration is key. Start today with small steps, they all add up and together we can make a difference.

 

© 2024 Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). This information is furnished by PPAI for educational and informational purposes only. PPAI makes no and expressly disclaims any and all representations and warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and/or statements about specific dates, coverage, application or otherwise. Users are advised to consult with appropriate legal counsel or other professional about the specific application of the law or this information to the user’s business and products.