Introduction
Global business packaging environment is rapidly changing to conform to new trends of competitive advantage. Sustainable packaging inventiveness therefore gives a sustainable cost reduction strategy in businesses and the growing need to lessen costs in operations, transport and materials.
This paper describes biodegradable materials and how they contribute to sustainable packaging. Besides, the paper discusses how quality of design is of significant importance in strengthening the product appeal among the consumers. Further, the paper explores graphic design and designers and highlights how a designer can effectively influence product appeal. Consequently, the paper assesses the sustainability approach in the UAE. Also, the paper compares the costs of using sustainable packaging to conventional methods.
In conclusion, sustainability in packaging is a better packaging strategy for most businesses when good and reliable biodegradable material are chosen because they are cost saving and helps to enhance an eco-friendly environmental.
Biodegradable Materials
Biodegradable packaging is a type of packaging that biodegrades safely back into the soil. Thus considerably lessen the capacity of packaging that goes to a landfill. Biodegrading contributes to conserving energy as the method does not need outward energy (Jedlička, 2008, p.78).
Biodegradable materials are embraced as recyclable materials. This is because recyclable materials need “outer energy” to facilitate recycling process. Biodegradable materials do not need “outer energy” because it involves part of the natural system. Besides, biodegradable materials do not contain; harmful chemicals, plastic coatings and extra energy to produce them.
Modern society is characterized by “throw-away culture”, a high demand to create materials that can be recycled has been a trend (Jedlička, 2008, p.93). Biodegradable packaging is a competitive trend in the packaging industry which increases green living.
Significant interest in biodegradable “throwaway” plastic resources has progressively increased. For example, disposable packaging materials which are used to safeguard and transport procured items and containers used for drinks and foods ignite an area of interest.
With packaging materials; the decline in use of raw materials, reuse and recycling is an alternative direction to sustainable existence (Jedlička, 2008, p.96). Many manufacturing businesses are embracing biodegradable choices for several reasons. Some of the reasons of using biodegradable packaging are to reduce landfill. Secondly, biodegradable packaging reduces carbon footprint and enhances a better ecosystem in general. Different forms of biodegradable packaging exist and businesses are constantly examining innovations to ensure effective methods enhance its sustainability (Kerry and Butler, 2008, p. 56). Proper use of will protect the earth for future generations and improve the quality of lives.
Biodegradable plastics, manufactured from flora will be a significant venture for eco-friendly customers in the future (Kerry and Butler, 2008, p. 76). Recycling strategies are also urging more challenge for biodegradable packaging. Biodegradable product packaging for example; food packaging has witnessed increase in cost of petroleum inclined products which in turn have caused the cost of biodegradable package choices to become a challenging phenomenon.Moreover, Sugar and starch are less costly materials than inorganic oil and using a procedure that takes merit can help upsurge the use of biodegradable packaging (Levy, 2000, p.74)..
Quality of Design
Elaborate package design is one of the essential aspects of successful business strategies. This is because; product packaging and design reinforces first impression to a potential customer in regard to a given product (Willard, 2002, p.53). It is therefore important that, the first impression about design should precisely reflect the product. Besides, it is significant for a package to provide customers with the necessary product information they need.
This will inspire them to make a purchase. Impeccable product design and packaging can be a perplexing task; however, if business designs most of the work, it can be guaranteed the package will reflect the taste it needs and appeal to a customer as well (Willard, 2002, p.66). Besides, if business faces a challenge in forming a fitting idea in design, consulting a product packaging and design professional should be considered.
Quality of product design is aimed at “containing and communicating” product information. In containing and communicating product information, a correct “Packaging Mix” has to be embraced and fixed (Bhamra and Lofthouse, 2007, p. 73). Product mix is the result of many needs that strive to control how a product package performs the roles of “containing and communicating” (Abraham, 2006, p.97). To ensure quality and efficiency is settled and the right mix is achieved, a package design should able to; safeguard the product, assist the user in using the product, give reusable choices to a consumer, meet legal needs and reduces linked overheads.
Besides quality of package, design can be improved by analyzing two criteria that enhances its appeal. These criteria are sales and functional needs of a package.
Sales requirement is important in product packaging. The product should be designed in a form that motivates and inspires the end user (Novacovici and Woofter, 2006, p.91). Design qualities such as package attention drawing power, clear size, imprint of quality and brand name legibility should be factored.
Also, a product should incorporate functional requirements such as; in home, warehouse, distribution, safety and legal criteria. In home requirements, design should direct the convenience of using and storing the product (Estes, 2009, p.58). Additionally, it should inform customers how to safely and effectively use the product.
Graphic Design and Designers
Graphic design is an innovative process which involves a client and a designer to complete a given “form” or a “design project” (Estes, 2009, p.88). Graphic design is undertaken to pass a concise message to a targeted group of audience.
Graphic designers may wish to use various artistic methods such as visual art, typography and page layout to come up with a final product (Maczulak, 2009, p.79). Examples of where graphic design is commonly applied include branding and logos, website publication, product packaging and advertisement among other fields. Product packaging may encompass such aspects as; components of shapes, pure design, artwork, colors, symbols or amalgamation of all these components to form a complete whole. Composition is important constituent of graphic design element which is applied when using a preexisting materials or varied elements (Maczulak, 2009, p.96).
Sustainability in UAE
UAE is one of the countries embracing sustainability. UAE is transforming its urban areas to embrace Sustainability. This has been through initiative such as; performing bike infrastructure, improvement in the ecology of alternate transport, increase in recycling and energy making. Sustainability has impacted on the construction sector to simplify energy use, resource waste management, water management among other reasons (Rostin, 2007, p.79).
UAE aims at achieving sustainability in its urban cities by the year 2012 (Rostin, 2007, p.88). The objectives of sustainability being undertaken by UAE are varied. The first is encouraging sustainable materials. UAE aims at using quality recycled material in building products and postulating the use of sustainable material like bamboo, forest stewardship and council certified timber among other products.
Secondly, the objective is to improve sustainable food. The UAE aims at encouraging retail outlets and other food supply chains to achieve goals of supplying organic food and sustainable fair trade products.
And lastly, UAE aims at improving sustainable transport which will encourage sustainability in challenges such as; no tolerant of carbon mission from transport within the city, creating measures to lessen carbon cost, sharing of vehicle, use of public transport and supporting small emissions vehicles advantages (Rostin, 2007, p. 98).
Cost of Sustainable Packaging to Conventional Methods
The Cost of sustainable packaging is becoming an important area for businesses to help them survive economically. A business using sustainable packaging tends to report cost saving, improved ecological footprints, better company reputation and brand image among other vital benefits (Thorpe, 2007, p.68). Companies and business that enhances all-inclusive sustainable packaging encompassing entire product development cycle such as product manufacturing, packaging, delivery and recycling, it benefits but cutting down the costs and increases its revenue unlike conventional methods of packaging. A conventional method is more costly because of processes involved such as the bulkiness of the product, unrecyclable materials used for packaging and labor intensive involved.
Besides, sustainability packaging ensures that a business evaluates its product packing and supply chain administration therefore decreasing packaging magnitude and reducing operational and logistical undertakings. Therefore, sustainable packaging which encourages condensed packaging results in; condensed material costs, simplify packaging method, and spread saving with less labor, cuts warehouse space thereby lowering logistical costs than conventional method of packaging (Thorpe, 2007, p.88).
Besides, sustainability encourages lighter packaging which is cheaper and efficient in transport and needs less energy to manufacture than other conventional methods of packaging hence lowering down the costs
Conclusion
Sustainability influences how business enhances the power of packaging to ensure costs are kept at minimal at the same time delivering beneficial results to customers. Besides, the choice of biodegradable materials should encourage environmental factors such as recyclability. Sustainability packaging favors cost cutting and ensures reliability and efficiency unlike other conventional methods of packaging.
References
Abraham, M. A. (2006). Sustainability Science and Engineering: Defining Principles. Amsterdam: Elsevier
Bhamra, T. and Lofthouse, V. (2007). Design For Sustainability: A Practical Approach. Aldershot: Gower Publishing, Ltd.
Estes, J. (2009). Smart Green: How to Implement Sustainable Business Practices in Any Industry – and Make Money. New York: John Wiley and Sons
Jedlička, W. (2008). Packaging Sustainability: Tools, Systems and Strategies for Innovative Package Design. New York: John Wiley and Sons
Kerry, J., and Butler, P. (2008). Smart Packaging Technologies for Fast Moving Consumer Goods. New York: John Wiley and Sons
Levy, G. M. (2000). Packaging, Policy, and the Environment. Michigan: Springer
Maczulak, A. E. (2009). Sustainability: Building Eco-Friendly Communities. New York: Infobase Publishing
Novacovici, A., and Woofter, J. (2008). Sustainability 101: A Toolkit for Your Business. North Carolina: Lulu.com
Rostin, A. (2007). Structural Change in the United Arab Emirates. Munich: GRIN Verlag
Thorpe, A. (2007) The Designer’s Atlas Of Sustainability. Ottawa: Island Press
Willard, B. (2002). The Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits Of A Triple Bottom Line. British Columbia: New Society Publishers