Au Natural: Is ‘Organic’ Influencing Packaging?

Organic. Vegan. Clean. 

These have become more than buzzwords. It started with nutrition and lifestyle in the health and fitness sectors, it’s now translated to every other sector as consumers begin to buy with high ethics and clear moral compasses. E-Commerce has increased levels of product packaging, with international companies like Amazon shipping over 5 billion Prime packages alone each year (that’s 13 million packages a day) companies are trying to find better ways of decreasing the harm their product packaging is having on the planet with increasing levels of pressure from consumers.

Over the past 5 years, 85% of consumers have changed their buying habits to be more sustainable. What does this mean for packaging? It means that the 270,272 square miles of garbage in the Pacific Ocean is more than a climate issue, it is a moral issue that consumers now link back to the impact of their own purchases. 

If a product is to be labeled organic, under new guidelines it must:

• Be made entirely of Organic materials if it states the product is labeled ‘100% Organic’
• Must be made of at least 95% organic material if it is labeled as ‘Organic’
• If a product has at least 70% Organic ingredients it can be labeled as ‘Made with Organic ingredients’ and can list 3 of those ingredients on the front of the product

37% of Americans choose products based on how sustainable they claim to be. Due to greenwashing laws, companies are now unable to exaggerate or lie about their sustainability capabilities. 

If the product is organic it follows that packaging should be as well – the Soil Association is the only board that credits sustainable packaging in the UK. Their seven goals for companies are:

1. All organic product packaging is developed in consideration of its entire life cycle.
2. Organic products avoid packaging when possible, without compromising food safety and food quality to avoid food waste.
3. All packaging is either reused, effectively composted in garden compost or an industrial composting plant or recycled.
4. Packaging materials developed from organic waste, which are compostable and improve the soil, are favored.
5. All known harmful substances are prohibited from organic packaging.
6. Consumers understand why an organic product is packaged in a certain way and believe in its credibility.
7. All labeling is clear on how to compost or recycle packaging and is not misleading.

In the food sector, big brands like McDonalds have pledged that by 2025 their packaging will be 100% sustainable. In the beauty sector there is a growing number of biodegradable packaged products that include natural makeup brushes made from bamboo, as well as 100% synthetic fiber heads. There are also products that use where you live to identify what your skincare routine needs – from chemicals to lifestyle choices, brands like Pour Moi are redefining what it means to be climate aware. From reusable wipes and applicators to biodegradable single-use options…brands are becoming smart to what more and more consumers are asking for. 

Organic lifestyle and accreditations influences the packaging that companies use because the lifestyle associated with ‘organic’ has become socially popular – consumers are moving towards brand loyalty with businesses who align with their ethics and promote a lifestyle that they wish to emulate. Sustainability is not just about the products being made, it’s also about the packaging being used with these products.  

Want organic packaging to match the green credentials of your products? Get in touch with us and find a variety of solutions which cater to your brand’s every need with bespoke design and customized services.