Page 52 - Plastics News July 2026
P. 52
FEATURE NEWS
Corporate social responsibility has become as there are no standards to create a packag-
a cornerstone of modern business practices. ing design that suffices all the requirements and
Adopting sustainable packaging is not only an expectations.
ethical decision but also a strategic one that
demonstrates a company's commitment to en- Also the fact remains at this stage this would add
vironmental stewardship. By integrating sustain- to cost for we (manufacturers) need to source
ability into their operations, businesses can fulfill our raw materials responsibly and create sturdy,
their CSR objectives and contribute to the well- creative packaging designs that can be trans-
being of society. ported smoothly and recycled efficiently after-
wards, and question remains is the consumer
There are hosts of ways by which manufactur- ready to pay? Perhaps not, adds a city based
ers, retailers and other stakeholders can partner consultant on the condition of anonymity
to collectively pursue sustainable packaging so-
lutions and reduce environmental impact; Indus- According to a study, there is no universal solu-
try alliances through shared objectives is one tion available for packaging players—consumers
such way out. There can be an increased focus today have diverse views on packaging sustain-
on using recycled materials and designing pack- ability. For example, in some of segments, con-
aging for recyclability, say industry experts . sumers rank fiber packaging as the most sus-
tainable, and in others, they rank compostable
So then what are challenges that stops many in plastic film as the most sustainable. Hence, a tru-
the industry to adopt sustainable packaging ly granular understanding of end-user segments
will be critical to win the sustainable-packaging
Material innovation, particularly exploring bio- race.
degradable polymers, mycelium-based pack-
aging, and plant-based alternatives, aligns with Packaging players need to not only understand
continuous improvement in packaging materials how consumers buy and use products, as well
and design. Such designs not only use fewer re- as how the packaging is disposed of, but also
sources but are also optimised for efficient recy- consider how to improve the pain points and
cling, contributing to a more sustainable packag- the regulators need to support them as well.
ing ecosystem. For example, the hassle of recycling by clean-
ing packaging and bringing it back to the store
However, creating innovative package designs is practically not possible for manufacturer and /
for enhanced resource efficiency involves adopt- or FMCG company.
ing a design thinking approach. Emphasising du-
rability, reusability and recyclability, designers Multifaceted approach- The Way Ahead
can optimise packaging for reduced resource Industry experts say India can address challeng-
usage. es stemming from insufficient manufacturing fa-
cilities and high raw material costs in sustainable
A section of industry thinks that the industry
needs to create new solutions in response to packaging adoption through a multifaceted ap-
the evolving needs of customers and consumers proach.
56 PLASTICS NEWS July 2026
