Here’s Why the Electronics Industry Is Transitioning to Sustainable Packaging

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The electronics industry has long considered itself at the forefront of innovation. Today it is looking to the future by making the switch to sustainable packaging. New developments in smart packaging and eco-friendly packaging are helping electronics makers incorporate environmentally responsible, green design into their products.

As the long-term effects of e-waste on the environment become more widely understood, more and more attention is being paid to sustainability for the electronics market. Biodegradable packaging can play a vital role in helping the electronics industry protect the planet.

A needed push

Growing consumer awareness of the environmental hazards of wasteful packaging has accelerated the trend. A 2020 study of consumer sentiment found that 74% of consumers not only preferred sustainable packaging but were also willing to pay more for it. Nearly half said they would avoid products housed in packaging they considered harmful, such as plastics that might contribute to ocean pollution.

The transition to sustainable packaging poses challenges for any industry, but electronics may actually benefit from its core audience of early adapters. Many electronics consumers are excited by the latest trends and gadgets. For them, eco-friendly packaging reflects innovation and responsible forward-thinking as much as the electronics product inside. Rather than posing a risk to their brand identity, sustainable packaging can also help sustain the enthusiasm of a devoted customer base.

In addition to consumer demand, the move toward sustainable packaging is also being promoted by government regulators, particularly in the United States and Europe. Both are considering measures that would restrict single-use packaging, while pushing for increased recycling. Similarly, global industry initiatives like the Green Electronics Council have incorporated sustainable packaging standards into its criteria for EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) eligibility.

Leaders in innovation

Many of the world’s top electronics producers have already begun incorporating eco-friendly packaging into their most popular products. Samsung announced in 2019 that it had begun phasing out plastic from its packaging materials, pledging to replace the plastic it had used for its holder trays with moldable pulp, in addition to other measures such as doing away with plastic protection films.

For companies like Microsoft, the push for sustainable packaging is one component of a larger initiative toward achieving a more sustainable business model. Carbon neutral since 2012, Microsoft has pledged to eliminate single-use plastic packaging by 2025 and achieve 100% recycled and recyclable packaging by 2030 as part of its commitment toward achieving carbon negativity by the end of the decade.

Apple now uses 100% “responsibly sourced wood fiber” for its retail packaging and has replaced the plastic trays for its iPhones with molded fiber. These measures are also part of a comprehensive plan to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and protect the environment, helped along by clean energy commitments from its suppliers.

When Apple announced in 2020 that it would stop including adapters and earbuds with its new model iPhones, its motivation was environmental. Not only did it reduce e-waste, but the widely praised move also allowed Apple to reduce the size and carbon footprint of its packaging, as well as lower the environmental cost of shipping them.

Friendly alternatives

As plastic continues to be phased out from packaging, molded fiber has emerged as a popular recyclable and biodegradable packaging alternative. The appeal of molded fiber for electronics makers is that it is both durable and environmentally friendly. This packaging is made from bamboo, sugarcane, and other fast-growing fibers sourced from responsible, green suppliers.

As a shock-proof, pressure-resistant, and moisture-resistant material, molded fiber offers a comparable level of safety and protection as plastics. It can also be customized into many shapes and textures, even providing a plastic-like feel. Recent advances in manufacturing technology have allowed molded fiber to be more colorful and aesthetically pleasing, so there is no longer any need for compromise on design or brand consistency. Moreover, molded fiber is achievable with minimal dust residue, which is ideal for sensitive consumer electronics products. And perhaps most important, this eco-friendly packaging is also cost effective.

Even better, these eco-friendly packaging solutions are compatible with the latest advances in smart packaging. Smart packaging offers many advantages over conventional packaging in terms of security, cost, sustainability, and customer experience.

Among other innovations, this technology allows consumers to be more informed by converting user manuals into digital interactive experiences. By printing a QR code on the molded fiber packaging, for example, electronics makers can direct users to a site with easy-to-access information on that brand’s sustainability initiatives. It can also provide instructions on how to recycle or reuse the packaging after use.

Moving toward a greener future

The electronics industry is constantly on the lookout for tomorrow. By offering biodegradable packaging, they are doing their part to ensure that tomorrow is a brighter day, not only for their brand but also for the planet we share.

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