What Is the Essentials for Eco Friendly Packaging?

As the international call for environmental protection, caring for the earth, and conserving resources grows louder, the requirements for product packaging in the international market are becoming increasingly stringent. Harmless, non-polluting, and recyclable environmentally friendly packaging plays a crucial role in commodity export trade. The basis for identifying eco-friendly packaging is ISO 14000, which is universally promoted as the standard for eco-friendly packaging models. The ISO 14000 series explicitly stipulates that all international trade products (packaging) must undergo environmental certification and life cycle assessment (LCA), and use environmental labels. Since 1999, ISO has implemented a green "environmental label," pushing the green revolution of product packaging to new heights, which has greatly promoted Chinese exporters. Therefore, experts suggest that export enterprises should focus on the following aspects when implementing eco-friendly packaging:

1. Packaging Material

Eco-friendly packaging materials generally include:

        ◇  reusable and renewable packaging materials

        ◇  edible packaging materials

        ◇  biodegradable materials

        ◇  natural paper materials 

Eco-friendly packaging emphasizes minimal material usage, minimal waste generation, energy savings, ease of recyclability, and avoidance of secondary pollution from packaging waste. Therefore, the selection of eco-friendly packaging materials should adhere to the basic principles of harmlessness, non-pollution, and renewable usability.

While purely natural eco-friendly packaging materials are pollution-free, their commercial costs are higher and they contribute significantly to the depletion of Earth's resources. Composite eco-friendly materials, on the other hand, are characterized by lower costs, lack of pollution, and ease of recyclability, making them likely to become mainstream in future eco-friendly packaging.

Due to restrictions by countries such as the EU, USA, and Canada on the use of wooden packaging for Chinese exports entering their markets, the development of alternative wooden packaging materials has become increasingly urgent. This has driven the research and production of alternative wooden packaging materials within the Chinese packaging industry.

2. Technical Packaging

The realm of eco-friendly packaging is extensive, involving packaging materials as the foundation, and eco-friendly packaging technology and equipment determining the extent of its eco-friendliness. Eco-friendly packaging equipment integrates mechanical, electrical, optical, and biomimetic technologies into high-tech, high-intelligence, and highly competitive products. Its development and update rates are rapid. With the widespread adoption of new composite packaging materials, the requirements for packaging equipment and processes have become more stringent.

Eco-friendly packaging mostly utilizes fully automatic intelligent and digital packaging equipment. High-speed film and bag-making equipment, large-scale hollow container forming equipment with capacities exceeding 1000 liters, and energy-saving, comprehensive utilization equipment are widely applied high-tech packaging equipment. Additionally, recycling equipment for waste materials and secondary processing equipment meet the requirements for eco-friendly recycling. The adoption of ISO 14000 environmental standards, and the global trend towards environmental protection and ecological balance, serve as driving forces for the development of eco-friendly packaging equipment (machinery).

3. Service Organizations

The international market has varying requirements for environmental standards, and different countries have diverse regulations for various types of product packaging. Export enterprises should choose professional packaging service providers who have long-term experience in export packaging and possess comprehensive knowledge of international packaging requirements. When selecting an eco-friendly packaging service provider, attention should be paid to whether the provider's printing and packaging capabilities meet international industry standards, and whether the materials used comply with regulations and requirements set by international organizations and agencies.

Exporters should ideally follow four steps—market research, market positioning (selecting a packaging provider), professional assessment, and quality control—before determining their choice of professional packaging service provider.

4. Packaging Applications

According to statistics, approximately 90% of products require packaging of varying degrees and types, making packaging an indispensable part of the production and distribution processes. Billions of packaging units are consumed annually, highlighting the importance of driving an environmental revolution in packaging as a crucial mission within the environmental sector.

Switzerland has long been a leader in the field of green packaging(MAGIC Cares - Our Approach to Environmental Sustainability), notably with the legendary Swiss Legend Group's stories in packaging philosophy and design. Founded on the principles of the "Green Beauty Movement," most employees and researchers at Swiss Legend Group are environmentalists who advocate for a concept known as "Big Ecology." They believe that ecology is the homeland for humans and other living beings to survive and thrive, akin to loving one's own home. Therefore, from production processes and raw materials to packaging, they adhere to the principle of "ecological priority."

All external packaging uses eco-friendly cardboard made from natural plant fibers leftover from the production of organic skincare products, avoiding the need to cut down trees. This results in significantly lower material consumption, approximately one-third compared to traditional packaging methods. The packaging materials are biodegradable in nature, posing no environmental pollution. This not only aligns with the concept of recycling and reuse but also symbolizes a life philosophy rooted in and moving toward nature.

No glue or adhesive is used in any external packaging, relying solely on the interplay of paper and its natural forces to maintain structure. This method not only avoids environmental pollution but also symbolizes the unity and mutual support necessary to protect the Earth, embodying a spirit of collaboration and environmental stewardship.

Moreover, chemical inks are not used on the outer packaging paper, which is elegantly simple, symbolizing Switzerland's academic tradition of modesty and rigor. Additionally, the additional costs of packaging are minimal, including labor, transportation, and carbon emissions.

In recognition of their meticulous efforts in packaging design and unwavering commitment to environmental conservation, Global Green USA awarded them the Sustainable Design Awards.