A Deep Dive into the Realities Behind Refillable, Glass, and Plastic Packaging
Do you find it difficult to select environmentally friendly packaging for your goods? With an increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly options, selecting the right packaging is critical. In this blog, we'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of three common packaging types: glass, plastic, and refillable, and how knowing these differences can help your company make a more informed, sustainable choice.
Refillable Packaging Options
Refillable packaging was meant to be the newest trend, but what if you were to find out that not all refillables are created equal? There are three different types of refillable component options — bottle-in-a-bottle refills, refillable pouches, and a hybrid, each serving a similar yet unique purpose.
Bottle-in-a-Bottle Refills:
Bottle-in-a-bottle refills can best be described as an outer keepsake component with an inner refill system. This may initially seem like an effective sustainability strategy, however, it has been noticed that the new packaging for refills features more packaging and less product, leading beauty enthusiasts to not be so thrilled. The plastic refill does have a lower carbon footprint than a single-use glass bottle. Yet, in some cases, it generally requires consumers to purchase the product 4-5 times before a reduction in material use or carbon emissions occurs, causing its effectiveness in being sustainable to be questioned.
Refill Pouches:
Refillable pouches have been seen to reduce the most amount of waste as there is an immediate reduction of material. This method stems from the bottle-in-a-bottle approach, however, it is a bag-formed entity filled with the product, which you empty into the original component yourself. When compared to standard single-use packaging, it can usually reduce the amount of material used by 80%–90%. Some of these packaging’s can also be used entirely on their own, meaning you would never have to purchase a single-use component, just the refillable product.
Hybrid Refillable Packaging:
Lastly, there is the hybrid. This is when there is an outer component, but within it is not a cartridge but a pouch. It also bears the benefit of the formula not coming in contact with oxygen when refilling from the pouch to the keepsake component. It takes the good from both previous approaches and creates a convenient way for consumers to refill in a more sustainable way.
Glass Containers
Although glass packaging in cosmetics radiates a timeless and chic look, many environmental setbacks are associated with the selection. There is nothing like glass, but it is heavier and more fragile than plastic, creating a larger production process. Factors associated with increased precaution with handling, weight, and CO2 emissions cause shipping costs to become highly expensive. The production of glass itself involves an energy-intensive process of melting sand, which generally leads to a higher carbon footprint. However, it is the best option when it comes to biodegradability.
Conventional Plastic & Bioplastic Containers
Plastic on the other hand, often stems from petrochemicals and emits fewer greenhouse gases during manufacturing. Cosmetic companies have started using biopolymers and bioplastics to counteract some of the negative effects of traditional plastics. These materials can be made from by-products of other industries, which typically require less energy to produce, and have fewer damaging environmental and health outcomes.
As good as that sounds, it is critical to be cautious when selecting which types of plastics to incorporate, along with the product's overall size. Not all plastic is widely recyclable and energy from incineration is not possible as burning plastic releases harmful gases, so ensure you research your municipality's regulations. To elaborate, general advice when speaking about recyclable plastic sizing is for items to be larger than 50 mm. Once again, double-check your regulations, as this can vary based on location.
Choosing the appropriate packing material is a customized process, it depends on your specific needs and sustainability goals. By weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each, your company can make a choice that aligns with both your brand values and environmental commitments