{"id":2827,"date":"2024-08-05T06:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T10:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cqcd.org\/blogue\/lecoconception-des-emballages-plus-quune-piste-de-solution\/"},"modified":"2024-07-12T11:07:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T15:07:09","slug":"eco-design-of-packaging-more-than-just-a-possible-solution","status":"publish","type":"blog_article","link":"https:\/\/www.cqcd.org\/en\/blog\/eco-design-of-packaging-more-than-just-a-possible-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Eco-design of packaging : more than just a possible solution!"},"content":{"rendered":" \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Understanding eco-design\n <\/h2>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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The eco-design of packaging is not simply about replacing one material with another. It is a comprehensive process of designing or selecting packaging that considers not only the essential functions of protection, preservation, and presentation of products but also the environmental impacts of each stage of the packaging’s life cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n

This includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. Eco-design also involves choosing more sustainable materials, reducing the amount of material used, and designing packaging that is more easily recyclable or reusable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n Striking examples of eco-designed packaging\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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To illustrate this approach, here are some concrete examples of eco-designed packaging:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Cosmetics<\/strong>: In the cosmetics sector, there is a trend to replace makeup cases made from various resins, such as ABS and polycarbonate, with cardboard cases. Additionally, mirrors are increasingly being removed, reducing complexity and the amount of materials used. This simplification is particularly suited to products with a limited lifespan.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Durable Goods<\/strong>: For products like school supplies, batteries, or towels, there is a noticeable reduction in plastic packaging (PVC or other resins), replaced by cardboard packaging that provides just the necessary protection for commercialization.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Ink Reduction<\/strong>: Eco-inking is a practice that encourages reducing printing on label surfaces and using vegetable-based inks. This decreases the amount of materials and chemicals used in packaging.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    \n Cardboard vs. plastic: a complex issue\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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    Between paper and cardboard packaging and plastic packaging, there is a world of nuances. Replacing plastic with cardboard is not always the ideal solution. The decision depends on the specific characteristics of the materials and the intended use of the packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For certain products, such as food or pharmaceuticals, plastic can offer necessary\u2014and sometimes essential\u2014protective barriers that cardboard cannot provide without additional treatments, which can be controversial. However, in other situations, substituting plastic with cardboard can be appropriate. This is the case for eliminating flexible PVC cases, a plastic that is difficult to recycle, replaced by a simple cardboard band for selling curtains or sheets. In all respects, it is important to question the use and type of plastic according to the protection and marketing needs of the product to be packaged. Sometimes, it is possible to eliminate packaging entirely (e.g., bulk product sales).<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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    \n Benefits for companies of eco-designing their packaging\n <\/h2>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    Companies may face several challenges in implementing eco-design, despite their willingness to take action. Regulations, a lack of financial and human resources, and the need to make significant changes to production when altering packaging can all be obstacles in the process.<\/p>\n

    That said, eco-designing packaging offers numerous competitive, reputational, economic, social, and environmental advantages for companies:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Continuous Improvement<\/strong>: This approach enables companies to engage in continuous improvement, encouraging them to reassess their choices and work methods, thereby sharpening their critical thinking.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Regulatory Compliance<\/strong>: With regulatory pressure and ongoing and upcoming legislative changes at local, national, and international levels, eco-design allows companies to take responsibility for their commitments and concrete actions.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Cost Reduction<\/strong>: By adopting a total cost approach to packaging, including sourcing, packaging, storage, distribution, and end-of-life management, companies can achieve savings and better control costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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      \n First advice to companies\n <\/h2>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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      The first piece of advice to a company looking to invest in eco-design is to encourage them to analyze their current packaging and understand the specific needs of their products and even their clientele. It is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach, taking into account all aspects related to packaging and its lifecycle. A thorough assessment of the packaging used allows for a reconsideration and identification of opportunities for improvement, such as integrating recycled materials or reducing the mass and volume of packaging, creating a beneficial domino effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Duration of the Process<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      The time required to modify packaging can vary significantly. It can range from several months to several years, depending on the extent of the changes needed, whether it involves sourcing new materials, investing in new production lines, or adapting existing lines. For example, the race for a bottle made from wood fibers has been ongoing for several years, with major players in the brewing, spirits, and soft drink industries working on it, illustrating that some innovations can take several years to reach conceptual maturity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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      \n Innovation and simplicity\n <\/h2>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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      Innovation in eco-design does not necessarily mean seeking completely new solutions. Sometimes, simplification and standardization can be highly effective forms of innovation. Rather than consistently striving to stand out based on materials, it is often wiser to draw inspiration from proven solutions and adapt them to one’s own needs. This approach could help avoid managing numerous unknowns or different “recipes” in sorting centers in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      \n \u00c9co Entreprises Qu\u00e9bec provides support\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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      \u00c9co Entreprises Qu\u00e9bec (\u00c9EQ) plays a crucial role in supporting companies looking to review their packaging. On their website<\/a> dedicated to packaging eco-design, the \u00c9EQ team provides tools, references, and guides. They also regularly offer training sessions and conferences. Additionally, the team conducts diagnostics to help companies assess and improve their packaging choices. In the fall of 2024, \u00c9EQ will release its first guidelines on packaging eco-design and recyclability, which will be available to producers and their business partners.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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      \n Conclusion\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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      The ecodesign of packaging is an essential process to address current environmental challenges. It can enable not only the reduction of overall impacts but also improve the efficiency and profitability of businesses. By adopting this approach, companies can not only comply with increasing regulations and reduce their environmental footprint but also meet consumer expectations regarding sustainability and eco-responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

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      \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n Learn more<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/main>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Packaging eco-design is an essential approach aimed at reducing the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. At a time when ecological concerns are increasing, this approach should be the standard in packaging design. It represents one of the responses to environmental issues associated with our modes of production and consumption.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2825,"template":"","article_category":[102,109,111],"class_list":["post-2827","blog_article","type-blog_article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_category-retail-en","article_category-sustainable-development-and-ecological-transition","article_category-ecoconception-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEco-design of packaging : more than just a possible solution! - Retail Council of Quebec<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how companies can eco-design their packaging to minimize their environmental impacts!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cqcd.org\/en\/blog\/eco-design-of-packaging-more-than-just-a-possible-solution\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Eco-design of packaging : more than just a possible solution! 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