{"id":8629,"date":"2020-08-25T10:44:45","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T17:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/?p=8629"},"modified":"2024-02-13T11:51:43","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T19:51:43","slug":"keeping-sustainability-at-the-forefront-of-packaging-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/keeping-sustainability-at-the-forefront-of-packaging-manufacturing","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Sustainability at the Forefront of Packaging Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”8630″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]No manufacturer would be blamed if they put operational sustainability plans on the back burner during the current environment. The <\/span>COVID-19 pandemic<\/span><\/a> is impacting daily life with <\/span>disruptions<\/span><\/a> in global businesses and economies, sorting and recycling facilities closing and government regulations relaxing on resource efficiency compliance. Yet it seems sustainability will surely survive this moment, which means manufacturers must stay vigilant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumers continue to purchase sustainable products and support like-minded brands in this new environment. The <\/span>latest sustainability research<\/span><\/a> by NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business found that s<\/span>ustainability-marketed products\u00a0and sales continue to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic. <\/span>Consumers realize they can influence brands to \u201cdo the right thing\u201d for the environment, so companies that don\u2019t <\/span>pursue sustainability strategies will be increasingly left behind<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This consumer pressure means packaging manufacturers need to keep up their sustainability goals and plans to survive the disruptions of today and thrive and succeed tomorrow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tackling sustainability does not need to be a one-manufacturer show. It can be shared and developed through alliances with environmental and recycling associations to advocate for global sustainability and decrease the <\/span>variability of recycled resources that are integrated into supply chains<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shifting from Traditional Processes to Adaptive Enterprise Management<\/span><\/h2>\n

Packaging manufacturers have done a good job of embracing some of the 5Rs of sustainability such as reducing and reformatting. More sustainable packaging solutions are being designed and some formulas now use less raw materials. Manufacturers are also reducing their carbon footprints in production by using more renewable resources and less energy.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8631″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Source: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (<\/span><\/i>PMMI<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]However, more might have to be done by packaging manufacturers. Traditional processes and systems will hinder a manufacturer\u2019s ability to respond to rapid changes and demands. So, becoming an <\/span>adaptive manufacturing enterprise<\/span><\/a>, with real-time intelligence, revolutionary innovations and agility, means packaging manufacturers can rapidly respond to disruptions, increased demands and future industry challenges. Developing an enterprise approach across an organization will help create more impactful sustainability practices, thus increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs and resources and building a reputable sustainability program that is respected by customers and consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Areas of Sustainable Improvement in the Packaging Business<\/span><\/h2>\n

The demand for high-sustainability packaging will mount as compliance pressures return and consumer demands increase. That means sustainable packaging manufacturing is not going to disappear any time soon. Smart packaging manufacturers who shift efforts to an enterprise approach will have an advantage in improving their impact on the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

An adaptive enterprise system can help increase sustainability across a business in several areas including:<\/span><\/p>\n