Most brands are trying to find ways to incorporate sustainable initiatives into their businesses, with packaging and printing being a key area of exploration. With new techniques and mediums at a brand’s disposal, many are focusing on delivering the high-quality products that consumers want, but in a more eco-conscious way.
With the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer offerings, more consumers are transitioning to online shopping. As a result, one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing is the sea of brown boxes created by e-commerce. In April of 2018, Fast Company shared that 165 billion packages are shipped in the U.S. every year, with the cardboard usage equating to one billion trees. With the continued rise of online shopping, and the desire for convenience, this problem of wasteful packaging will only get worse. The packaging industry is finding different ways to address this issue by introducing new techniques, such as sustainable materials. However, the pace of change is slow.