Cambrian Packaging Insights: Plastic Packaging Trends to Watch

The world of plastic packaging is changing, fast – and so are the demands of the millions of consumers worldwide who use it. To help our customers stay informed and reactive to these changes, Cambrian Packaging is highlighting the key plastic packaging trends that your company should be aware of. It’s true: things are changing quickly in the plastic packaging landscape. Whilst an ongoing climate and pollution crisis are turning consumers against virgin plastic, other influences such as the Attenborough effect have seen a 53% percent drop in single-use plastics. A tide is rising in plastic packaging, and waves of change are being driven by new consumer habits and preferences. Whilst these changes should be welcomed for the benefit of our planet, your company should be ready to respond to these challenges accordingly in order to stay commercially viable. These changes are incredibly far-reaching and have the capacity to transform how industry interacts with plastic packaging. Stay informed by checking out some of the four key trends we’ve highlighted below… Trend #1: Manufacturers are Switching from Virgin Plastic to Recycled Plastic Among all of the key plastic packaging trends to look out for, the most significant is in how manufacturers are increasingly switching from virgin plastic to recycled plastic (aka. rPET, rHDPE and PCR). Indeed, whilst 89% of manufacturers are actively exploring ways of incorporating more recycled plastic into their packaging, 67% are already transitioning from virgin PET or HDPE bottles to recycled options. Seeing such a rise in recycled plastics in manufacturing processes can only mean good things for the natural world, and the adoption rate will differ from industry to industry. For example, it is believed that switching to recycled plastics in manufacturing processes can help some of the world’s leading beverage companies eliminate over 46.3 pounds of virgin plastic annually. When it comes to persuading companies to ditch virgin plastics in favour of recycled options, the challenge is huge – but certainly achievable. Environmentalists throughout the world will rightly hope that this trend continues to increase, and with consumers indicating a growing preference for recycled materials, we can definitely expect it to. Trend #2: Consumers are Demanding Sustainability in Plastic Packaging Government agencies the world-over are enacting increasingly stringent regulations to encourage sustainability, and companies must adapt their packaging in order to stay compliant. A typical example in the United Kingdom is the recently-enacted Plastic Packaging Tax, which charges companies £200 per tonne of packaging that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic. Companies who strive for compliance in this area aren’t only doing their bit to protect the environment – they’re also responding to consumer demand. 52% of consumers have changed brands in favour of those with more sustainable packaging, and 81% have indicated that they prefer eco-friendly packaging materials. As the UK’s leading supplier of plastic packaging products, Cambrian Packaging offers a Sustainable Packaging Service which helps companies transition towards cleaner, greener forms of packaging. Contact us today and set an example in your industry. Trend #3: Lightweight Packaging is On the Rise A critical element of combating the plastic pollution crisis is in reducing the overall amount of plastic used to create packaging. This process is known as ‘lightweighting’ and has now become a trending approach by businesses as they strive to include this packaging as part of their sustainability strategy. Lightweight packaging is sustainable in more ways than one. Whilst it reduces the amount of plastic which may end up in landfill and our waterways, it also decreases the amount of fuel and greenhouse gases involved in their manufacture and distribution. It is worth noting that while this trend will make a difference, the functionality of the packaging must still be kept in mind. Too thin a plastic may not provide sufficient protection to the product inside and may be more prone to accidental damage. Cambrian Packaging offers several products that provide a perfect balance between being light in weight and high-performance in nature. To order a sample of our packaging and test it yourself, order your free sample now. Trend #4: Quality & Aesthetics: A Winning Combination A key trend to recognise is that today’s consumers respect brands that are prepared to go the extra mile with their packaging; both in terms of quality and aesthetic. However, this focus on aesthetics should not come at the expense of sustainability, which is the dominant consumer trend in today’s plastic packaging market. Indeed, we’re increasingly seeing cases of heavily branded packaging being frowned upon as unsustainable due to the limited possibilities they offer for recycled products. Coloured packaging is a perfect example of how heavy branding can compromise on sustainability. In previous decades, coloured packaging was recognised as a strong way to consolidate brand identity. However, plastic that contains colouring significantly limits the options available at recycling level. Yes, colours and other branded detailing can compromise on sustainability. However, there are colour options out there that allow a little more flexibility when it comes to recycling. Subject to minimum order quantities, Cambrian Packaging can help your company find the perfect colour to suit your preferences – just get in touch to explore your options.

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