Similar to other industries, sustainability has become a focal point in the personal care industry. Along with the changes expected from sustainability trends, this industry also faces new demands from consumers who want eco-friendly personal care products without compromising the experience of using the product.
Developing a sustainability approach for your personal care brand starts with a basic understanding of the driving factors behind changes in the industry. Here’s why sustainable packaging—though seemingly a secondary factor—actually plays a major role in your brand’s sustainability efforts.
What are the three main drivers for personal care?
In today’s market, personal care brands are successful when focusing efforts on consumers, sustainability, and design. Although price remains the No. 1 consideration for shoppers, consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in products and are seeking eco-friendly personal care products. Design not only helps promote sustainability messaging but also contributes to sustainability efforts, such as using less plastic to reduce environmental footprints.
1. Consumer Behaviors
Currently, more than a third of global consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly alternatives. Consumers have taken steps to research brand footprints, ingredients, and stances on sustainability.
Studies show that consumers are more attentive to formulas in beauty products and seek natural, organic, simple ingredients from eco-friendly brands that promote recyclability, reusability, and simple sourcing in packaging.
2. Sustainability
All businesses have an ecological footprint, but brands are becoming more transparent about their efforts to curb their impact on the environment.
In response to consumer demands and regulatory requirements, personal care brands are making efforts to incorporate ingredients that are less harmful to consumers and the environment. Additionally, brands are using less plastic in their packaging for smaller ecological footprints and better recyclability.
3. Design
Sustainability has finally taken center stage, but one feature that stands the test of time is a product’s design. Consumers become brand advocates if a product is convenient and easy to use. Paired with this, design also promotes brand values.
Mass brands tend to look at smaller, premium brands that provide a unique quality of product to discover industry trends. Where eco-friendly design was once a niche in the market, the sustainable care products market is predicted to grow 25.8 percent from its 2022 value over the next eight years.
Why is sustainable packaging important for eco-friendly personal care products?
Packaging protects the product, enhances the user experience, and promotes brand values. Although ingredients are often the most promoted wellness component of an eco-friendly product, packaging plays a major role in a brand’s sustainability initiatives.
Packaging serves as the physical representation of a brand’s values. Adopting sustainable solutions can improve brand image, attract new customers, and increase customer loyalty.
Sustainable, uniquely designed packaging solutions offer:
Consumer Benefits
- Aesthetic appeal
- Easy dispensing experience
- Convenience
- Product protection
Sustainability Benefits
- Ability to meet regulatory requirements and external influences
- A positive environmental impact
Brand Benefits
- Reduced total cost of ownership
- Omnichannel distribution
- Safety
- Resistance to tampering
To meet sustainability demands, brands can implement sustainable practices throughout the lifecycle of packaging, which begins with choosing low-impact material during the design stage and utilizing tools that measure the impact before production.
How have brands incorporated sustainable packaging?
When it comes to eco-friendly packaging, brands have a broad spectrum to choose from. Recently, personal care brands have begun to use:
- Refillable or reusable packaging so that consumers continue to use the same product and reuse waste
- Packaging made from recycled or bio-based materials for biodegradable alternatives
- Packaging made from less plastic and recycled materials for a faster, more sustainable method of packaging
Meet your new sustainable packaging solution.
For liquid products, the AeroFlexx Pak is a versatile packaging solution for the personal care industry. The Pak:
- Reduces the use of plastic at the source
- Eliminates packaging materials down to a single all-in-one pack
- Ships efficiently to reduce carbon emissions
- Was made to be curbside-recyclable
To take the next step toward a more sustainable future for your brand with the AeroFlexx Pak, contact us today.
