The modern world is revolving around plastics. Every minute, people around the world buy 1 million plastic bottles. But now it’s time to change. Regulations are increasing and consumers are looking for ways to make environmentally friendly choices without compromising on quality.
Changes in consumer priorities and habits call for innovative solutions. In order to attract consumers, brands have to think outside the box and dare to be different. The appetite for more sustainable consumption habits is there. By opting for fiber-based packaging for your home and personal care products, you are embracing a natural alternative to plastics.
Unique and innovative
Packaging is the most effective way of communicating brand values. Since the majority of all purchasing decisions are made at point of sale, it’s crucial that your product is presented in a container that immediately grabs the consumers’ attention.
A recent consumer study clearly shows that D-PAK™ cartons from Elopak, specifically developed as refill for non-food products, is seen as a more unique and innovative form of packaging compared to alternative packaging options. It offers a 360-degree communication space, allowing you to devote more space for product information and the benefits of the packaging, both which are perceived as increasingly important for the consumers. This will in turn help to elevate your brand. The carton is also helping your product to stand out in a crowded shelf, currently dominated by plastic packaging.
Convenience is key
We know however, that it takes more than just pretty packaging to get noticed. The natural look and feel of our fiber-based cartons, in addition to its convenient features, offer a premium consumer experience that alternative packaging can’t match. The consumer study revealed that consumers find the D-PAK™ carton superior to pouch alternatives in terms of opening, pouring and re-closing. As many as 97% of the respondents prefer it for refill and it is considerably better liked by consumers than alternative packaging options.
A natural alternative to plastics
Plastic is a serious problem for the planet, not just in terms of litter, but also because of the greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and disposal. We cannot simply recycle our way out of this issue. We need to drastically reduce plastic production across the board. This includes addressing our reliance on plastic in the packaging industry.
“Thinking realistically, if we are going to reduce the amount of plastic in our packaging systems, we need a solution that shoppers are willing and happy to adopt.” Thomas Körmendi, Elopak CEO
The good news is that shoppers in Europe are already primed towards reducing their plastic use. According to Deloitte’s Sustainable Consumer survey, 64% of UK consumers actively tried to limit the amount of plastic they used in 2023. Also, 91% of respondents from a second study commissioned by Elopak, state that reducing plastic use is important to them in choosing a refill. Another good reason for choosing cartons, since they are primarily made with wood fibres, containing less plastic than alternative containers. We are continually working to reduce the plastic content in our packaging, and you can also go fossil-free with renewable and bio-circular polymers.
For over a century, we have developed our cartons to be the most sustainable packaging on the market. With leading design features and by constantly improving our use of materials, our cartons are optimized for recycling and reducing emissions.
Companies are taking their responsibility seriously, and the D-PAK™ carton is now helping some of the world’s most recognized brands within home and personal care to reduce plastics and become more sustainable. Perhaps this is worth considering the next time you make a packaging decision?
- Kantar quantitative test and face to face interviews December 2023, 150 participants in Sweden.
- Absolute Research, survey conducted December 2023, 1,025 respondents in UK and Germany.