From clothing and cosmetics 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 Enterprises) which, in addition to being attentive to environmental issues, have made cardboard packaging a differentiating factor.
Brazilian businesswoman Priscila Rachadel, CEO of Mag Embalagens, celebrates this shift in brand behavior directly linked to environmental agendas and increased awareness. According to her, reducing plastic consumption is essential not only for the planet's ecological health 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 rarely discussed ," she adds. She, who has previously worked in Governance and Sustainability departments in large corporations across the country, points to a scenario of extreme optimism.
How consumers view the impact of online shopping packaging:
A recent survey by Sifted, a leading logistics data platform, reported by TwoSides, revealed an exciting finding: even consumers who consider themselves indifferent to environmental issues want more sustainable shipping options. In times of constant growth in e-commerce and home deliveries, this is encouraging news.
According to the study, which surveyed 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 environmental impact.
According to Priscila, CEO of Mag Embalagens, meeting the expectations of today's consumers is essential in e-commerce, where competition is so fierce. "Consumers question, they seek to understand the impact behind what they are buying, and for brands to be concerned about these points is essential to avoid even an image crisis ," she adds.
How brands have viewed and positioned themselves in the new landscape:
Replacing a plastic envelope with a cardboard box can represent a higher cost; in fact, the accelerated consumption of plastic was driven by its versatility and lower cost. However, designers and marketing professionals have found ways to transform packaging into a branding tool and customer relationship manager, giving more prominence to cardboard solutions that now fulfill a much more strategic role than simply housing and protecting products during transport. “ When a customer receives a brand's box at home, especially those with interesting personalization, they become a true influencer, sharing that delightful experience with their community ,” explains Emily, Experience Specialist at Mag Embalagens. According to her, brands have created strategies that enhance their value and stimulate new purchases through printed communications on the packaging. And all 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, which uses renewable or recycled virgin fiber and has a high recycling rate (around 87% in Brazil, according to the 2021 Empapel Statistical Yearbook). This solution undoubtedly best meets the desires of these consumers seeking packaging with a lower environmental impact.
For Priscila Rachadel Magnani, it is of utmost importance that industries in the sector pay attention to their impact by promoting ESG practices in all their operations, continuously 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 operations is deeply aligned with ESG principles, which we consider essential to delivering the reduced-impact packaging that the market seeks,” stated Priscila Rachadel Magnani. “We have the largest size range on the market, we produce with clean energy, we promote printing with eco-friendly water-based inks, free of plastic laminations, and we actively look at our actions to increase our positive impact.”
