2Sustain

On Tuesday, the paper-based packaging industry launched “The Responsible Package,” an industry-wide campaign to promote the versatile and sustainable packaging solutions provided by paper-based products.

The campaign, funded by the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) and the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA), will raise awareness of the paper-based packaging industry’s sustainable practices and the sustainable products it supplies. In addition, organizers plan for it to champion the renewability of forest products, the high level of success in recycling paper-based products, and the versatility of paper-based packaging.

“Paper, paperboard and corrugated are sustainable packaging solutions made from a renewable raw material and recycled at very high levels,” said Peter Heist, vice president of International Paper and chairman of the Paperboard Packaging Alliance. “As manufacturers and consumers increasingly seek environmentally friendly products, The Responsible Package campaign will provide packagers with the tools they need to make decisions that meet their sustainability goals.”

There’s no doubt that green packaging is becoming more and more of a priority for many companies –and their customers. Some have even called sustainable packaging the new breakthrough consumer issue of our time. After all, packaging is not simply a stand-alone entity. It’s used to protect, distribute, and display product, and so has broad impact throughout the value chain. Organizations need to take a holistic approach to packaging, one that  optimizes packaging performance while minimizing the risks of supply chain inefficiencies and maximizing benefits to a company’s overall sustainability plan.