Plastic is a material that has become ubiquitous in the day-to-day lives of every Australian. From plastic bags to bottles, businesses use them almost everywhere without realising the harm they can cause. The fact that plastic takes centuries to decompose and never goes away makes it more harmful than beneficial. Organisations need to make changes in the form of reduced plastics and compostable packaging in their business processes to reduce the amount of plastic they use.
Reduce The Amount Of Packaging Used
Reduce the amount of packaging used and always consider using less plastic packaging, buying in bulk for large-scale packaging, and reusing existing packaging materials. Reduce the amount of packaging required to ship products in and around Australia by using reusable containers or by making changes such as buying in bulk to reduce the number of times businesses send out individual items.
Recycle plastic packaging through initiatives that collect and recycle common plastics (e.g., PET bottles).
Switching To Plastic-free Deliveries
Businesses can make a difference by switching to plastic-free deliveries. Many notable organisations, like Amazon, Coles, or Woolworths, offer the option of delivering to the door without plastic packaging. This is great news for the environment, and customers will always pay extra for a chance to save the planet!
Using Reusable Packaging
Businesses can use reusable packaging in containers, shopping bags, drinking bottles, cups, straws, and other disposable utensils.
Reuse Existing Packaging Materials
If companies are in the business of packaging products, consider using the existing plastic packaging to package different items. This will help reduce costs and can save time as well. If they have a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colours of plastic containers, there is a chance that they may be used for another product or service instead of going straight to recycling bins or landfills.
Get A Better Understanding Of Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable packaging refers to using renewable materials, such as paper and glass, or recyclable, like plastic and metal.
Sustainable packaging is often made from recycled materials. It can also be made from biodegradable or plant-derived plastics, which break down into harmless substances when exposed to composting conditions over time.
Sustainable packaging may be more expensive than standard plastic bottles or containers, but it’s worth considering if businesses want to make their packaging process environmentally friendly. Of course, there are various guidelines available on official websites that Australian companies can look into if they want to implement sustainable packaging for their products.
Consider Compostable Packaging Materials
Compostable product packaging is made from plant-based materials, including paper and plastic. It’s biodegradable, meaning microorganisms can break it down. This makes compostable packaging a good option for food waste because organic material can be easily turned into fertiliser—and food waste is one of the biggest contributors to landfills.
However, compostable product packaging should not be confused with recycling—it’s not recyclable in Australia or other countries with industrialised recycling systems.
Use As Little Plastic As Possible
The best way to reduce plastic waste is to use it as little as possible. It’s important because many businesses think reducing plastic consumption means buying more and wasting less. They’re wrong: “reduce” refers to buying fewer plastics for packaging in the first place and reusing them as much as possible before throwing them away.
