The Issue of the Sustainability in Packaging Dissertation Introduction The main reason for packaging Is to protect and contain the commodity among others such as selling and contro functions Sustainability isa key aspect of any product and when it comes tothe specific goal of packaging, it is highly necessary. When a product is manufactured, a lot of things have to be considered{Yams, 2008, p.104), This, therefore, means is fom the very beginning when the product is ust raw material to the point where it has to be disposed of after the consumer i finished with it. Here comes the matter of sustainability in packaging which is very important, especially for pharmaceutical, nutritional anc healthcare companies. Sustainable packaging comes hand in hand with the rapid rate of globalization which is completely changing the business environment. With sustainable packaging, itis possible to use al the resources effectively instead of having them thrown away to waste. The reduction of the amount of waste in packaging is, therefore, a great opportunity. Many possible options are actually in use ike the fms and wraps that keep the packaging compact and also sustainable when the material used Is right. The alm Is usually to have environmentally friendly packaging as wel as serve the purpose of packaging it was designed for. Packaging isa unique way of providing the necessary product in such a way that it willast longer or in other words sustain. The ‘main objective is nothing other tnan to refrain from wasting precious resources and to manage them and use them effectively {and efficiently ITW Packaging Solutions, nd.). The simple motto "da more with ess" willbe the best way to describe sustainably, That means to use the resources stringently but to do as much as possible with them. Research nas indicated that minimal erations in the packaging operations lead to overwhelming benefits inthe bottom line, When they get that right, then sustainability will no longer be an issue at all Itis not necessary that we consider sustainabilty forthe sake of other animals and plants and also the earth(US Environmental Protection Agency, 2004, p). The simple way to consider it would be by thinking of our future, The changing world comes in handy with a package of negative impacts on the environment especially the natural ecosystems. Without sustainably in packaging, alot of resources and foad, and ether such things go to wasle and thus posing a tnreat to all our ves (Landor, n.d) This Is a simple reason for us to serlously think about packaging and the sustainabilty It offers. Its because of this that the ‘green revolution has spotted packaging as one of its major points (Franklin, 2004, 9.3). Going green is not only an environmental benefit out also a cost-saving operation, Al these are done in a bid to achieve eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable packaging. This paper critically looks at the quality of design that will enhance the sustainably of packaging materials. A ‘comparison of sustainable packages from different countries will also be made. In other words, itis comprehensive research on the importance and ways of increasing sustainability in packaging. Quality of Design and Sustainability Elaborate package design is one of the essential aspects of successful business strategies. This 's because; product packaging {and design reinforce the first improssion to a potential customer regarding a given product (Willa, 2002, p.53). Its therofore Important thatthe first impression about design should precisely reflect the product. Besides, itis significant for a package to Provide customers with the necessary product information they need. This willnspie them to make @ purchase. Impeccable product design and packaging can be @ perplexing task; however, if a business designs most ofthe work, it can be guaranteed the package wil reflect the taste it needs and appeal to 8 customer as wel (Wilard, 2002, p.66). Besides, if a business faces a challenge in forming @ fitting idea in design, consulting @ product packaging and design professional should be considered. {Quality of product design is aimed at containing and communicating the product information. In containing and communicating product information, a correct Packaging Mix has to be embraced and fied (Bhamra and Lofthouse, 2007, p. 73). The product ‘mix s the result of many needs that strives to control how a product ps age performs the roles of “containing and communicating” (Abraham, 2006, p.97). To ensure quality and efficiency are settled and the right mixis achieved, a package design should be able to; safeguard the product, assist the user in using the produet, give reusable choices to @ consumer, ‘meet lagal needs, and reduces linked overneads. Besides the quality ofthe package, the design can be improved by analyzing ‘wo criteria that enhance its appeal, These criteria are the sales and functional needs of a package, Sales requirement is Important in product packaging. The product should be designed in a form that motivates and inspires the end-user (Novacovic‘anc Woofter, 2006, p.81), Design qualities such as package attention-drawing power, clear size, an imprint of quality, and brand ‘name legibility should be factored in. Also, a product should incorporate functional requirements such a5; home, warehouse, distribution, safety, and legal criteria. In-home requirements, design should direct the convenience of using and storing the product (Estes, 2009, p58). Additionally, it should inform customers how to safely and effectively use the product Graphic design is an innovative process that involves a client and a designer to complete a given form or a design project (Estes, 2009, » 88). Graphic design is undertaken to pass a concise message toa targeted group of audience. Graphic designers may wish to use various attistic methods such as visual art, ypography, and page layout to come up with a final product (Maczulak, 2009, .79). Examples of where graphie design Is commonly applied include branding and logos, website publication, product packaging, and advertisement among other flelds. Product packaging may encompass such aspects as; ‘components of shapes, pure design, artwork, colors, symbols, or amalgamation ofall these components to form a complete \whole. Composition isan important constituent of graphic design element which is applied when using preexisting materials or varied elements (Maczulak, 2008, p96), Sustainability in packaging has been put into consideration by most manufacturers(Jedlicka, 2008, p.32). Results issued out by the Sustainable Packaging Coaltion (SPC) in collaboration with the Packaging Digest magazine after conducting a survey indicated that a large percentage of the interviewed population confessed that most companies emphasized sustainable packaging, This gives a clear inication thatthe world is moving in the rignt crection in terms of sustainable packaging, Most Industries in the packaging sector try by all means to even recycle thelr waste to recover costs but majorly to protect the environment. Conclusion ‘The role of packaging is to protect Items while distriouting them to prospective consumers(Haulwen, 2009, pl. It can therefore 'be used to develop the sustainability ofthe supply chain, The life cycle impacts of packaging can be minimized by reducing the dependency on nonrenewable resources, minimizing total resource use, minimizing total waste, and minimizing energy use (Baldwin, 2009, p. 113) The packaging design incorporates lite cycle inventory and the Ife cycle assessment which eventually lead tothe production of environmentally friendly packaging. This is because the major precaution that should be taken when designing packaging i ks long-term effect on the environment. tis for this reason that mast of the synthetic polymers used as packaging material have been replaced by blodegradable materials Sustainability influences how business enhances the power of packaging to ensure costs are kept at minimal atthe same time dotivering beneficial results to customers. Besides, the choice of biodegradable materials should encourage environmental friendly such as recyelabilty. Sustainabilty packaging favors cost-cutting and ensures rellabilty and efficiency unlike other conventional methods of packaging. After ths dissertation, | ll ave gained enough knowledge and experience in different packaging materials. This knowledge is very important to both the manufacturers and consumers of different commodities. The Consumers wil be able to specifically identity genuine packaging materials by preventing them from the ambiquous and confusing titles like green packaging and environmental friendly that are usually printed on most commosities. The ‘manutacturers wil have the benefit of being able to acquire genuine packaging materials from the packaging industries. This will in tur have a positive impact on increasing sales since the consumers will ave trust in such manufacturers. Conclusion It can therefore be concluded that the issue of sustainably in packaging Is of global concern. Companies that have the ‘environmental poy, therefore, have a good reputation among thelr customers as well as throughout the enti universe. Going ‘greens a decision that is worth making as it pays off, whether directly or indirectly. Allin the entire most important thing isto protect the environment while providing the best services ever, Reference List Franklin, M. (2004), Lite Cycle Inventory of Packaging Options for Shipment of Real Mail-Order Soft Goods. Web, Haulwen, N{2006). Business Confidence, sustainability and packaging innovation. Web, LJedlcke, W, "Packaging Sustainabilty: Tools, Systems and Strategies for Innovative Package Design Wiley, 2008 US Environmental Protection Agency, (2004). Web,‘Yarn, L, “Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology’; John Wiley & Sons, 2009,