The Greenest Packaging Option Is Becoming the Easiest Packaging Option

by: Dennis Salazar

13 May

Several months ago I wrote a post for Packaging Digest talking about the importance of being “eco obvious”. Consumers’ perspectives aren’t always fair or accurate; they don’t always read labels so utilizing products that are easily and quickly recognized as eco friendly is vitally important.

Eco Obvious Sustainable Packaging

Molded Pulp Wine Packaging

Few products rate as high as molded pulp on the eco obvious scale. A consumer immediately recognizes it for what it is, which is recycled newspaper molded into a new and usable form. It is also easily recycled just about anywhere.

However, unless you can use a stock item that is mass produced such as trays for 4” round containers or wine bottles, most applications are custom and that usually requires high cost custom tooling. Even though the cost of most molded pulp products is fairly competitive, it is the initial mold and tooling costs that often times prevent packagers from utilizing this great product containment and protection option.

Low Cost Molded Pulp Tooling Option

We are glad to announce a new process created by one of our newest vendors that dramatically reduces the cost of molded pulp tooling. Rather than thousands of dollars, the tooling may only cost hundreds and that is big news for anyone interested in utilizing molded pulp because it is so green or because it simply does a better job than other options in certain applications.

Molded Pulp Candle Packaging

This makes molded pulp a viable option for short runs or low volume applications and for new products whose future volume is uncertain. It can also save tens of thousands of dollars for customers who have a variety of products and applications where tooling made molded pulp cost prohibitive prior to this new advancement in mold making.

Why is Molded Pulp a Better Packaging Option?

In most cases molded pulp minimizes and eliminates the use of other products that may or may not be considered green. A great example is a fragile container of any type of expensive and heavy liquid or cream, such as a lotion or health supplement. If you need to pack six bottles in a case your options include custom dividers or partitions, wrapping each bottle individually with a product like bubble or foam, or perhaps wrap them in layers of a paper void fill product.

A custom molded pulp tray used at top and bottom tends to protect the product better, requires much less time and labor than any of the above alternatives and is usually cost competitive. In addition, your eco minded customers will instantly recognize the fact that you use the least and greenest possible packaging option. They will also be able to recycle the molded pulp trays you used almost anywhere they can recycle the shipping box the product arrived in.

Is Molded Pulp Right for You?

As we all work to recycle more waste products such as paper and board, it is great to see a process that makes it more usable to more people. Molded pulp may be ideal for you and your product but if you are uncertain, allow us to help you review the application. Together with our vendor we will evaluate your product and requirements and develop a three dimensional CAD drawing to help you see the potential end result.
______________________
Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -