From clothing and cosmetic packaging to the famous bubble wrap used to protect products, the versatility and durability of plastic are undeniable. However, it is precisely these characteristics that have made plastic, in its excessive use, a villain and a major threat to our planet.
Conversely, an optimistic scenario has been gaining ground in recent years with a growing consumption of paper and cardboard packaging as a biodegradable and compostable alternative. Plastic envelopes used for shipping have been losing ground, especially among SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) which, in addition to being attentive to environmental issues, have been using cardboard packaging as a differentiation tool.
Businesswoman Priscila Rachadel, CEO of Mag Embalagens, celebrates this change in behavior of brands directly linked to environmental agendas and increased awareness. According to her, reducing plastic consumption is essential not only for the ecological health of the planet but also for public health.Microplastics, for example, have already been found in various foods and even sources of drinking water, representing an alarming danger that is still little discussed..” Complements the businesswoman.She, who has already worked in Governance and Sustainability departments in large corporations across the country, points to a very optimistic outlook.
How consumers view the impact of online shopping packaging:
A recent Sifted survey, a leading logistics data platform, released by TwoSides, presented an exciting finding: even consumers who consider themselves indifferent to environmental issues desire more sustainable shipments. In times of constant growth in e-commerce and home deliveries, this is encouraging news.
According to the study, which interviewed 500 people, 81% of consumers believe that companies use packaging with excess raw materials and 74% believe that packaging materials have a moderate to high impact.
According to Mag Embalagens' CEO, Priscila, meeting the expectations of today's consumers is essential in e-commerce where competition is so fierce.“The consumer questions, seeks to know the impact behind what he is buying and for brands to be concerned about these points is essential to avoid even an image crisis.”, he adds.
How brands have seen and positioned themselves in the new scenario:
Replacing a plastic envelope with a cardboard box can represent a higher cost; in fact, what led to the accelerated consumption of plastic was its versatility combined with its lower cost. However, designers and marketing professionals have found ways to turn packaging into a branding and customer relationship tool, giving more prominence to cardboard solutions that now serve a much more strategic role than just housing and protecting products during transportation.When a customer receives a brand's box at home, especially those that come with interesting customization, they become a true influencer, sharing that delightful experience with their community.", explains Emily, Experience Specialist at Mag Embalagens." According to her, brands have been creating strategies that enhance their value and stimulate new purchases through printed communications on packaging. And all of this has increased the perceived value of cardboard boxes when compared to single-use plastic envelopes.
Optimism in the Paper and Corrugated Cardboard Packaging Sector
The change in behavior is consequently good news for the corrugated cardboard packaging sector made from renewable or recycled virgin fiber, with a high recycling rate (around 87% in Brazil, according to the Empapel Statistical Yearbook 2021), the solution is undoubtedly the one that best meets the desire of these consumers in search of packaging with less impact.
For Priscila Rachadel Magnani, it is of utmost importance that industries in the segment pay attention to their impact by promoting ESG practices in all their operations, continually seeking to reduce their environmental impact, promote social well-being and maintain high standards of governance.
Mag Embalagens is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Our scope of action is deeply aligned with ESG principles, which we consider essential to deliver low-impact packaging that the market seeks," said Priscila Rachadel Magnani. We have the largest size range in the market, produce with clean energy, promote printing with eco-friendly water-based ink, free of plastic lamination, and actively look at our actions to enhance our positive impact.
