SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

MINI PROJECT
GREEN PACKAGING

Report Submitted in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

By

SURIYA. S 22MBA194
SRI ANANDH MURUGAN. S 22MBA184
SHRIRAM. E 22MBA180
TO

Dr.B.SUDHAKAR
DIRECTOR

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (PG)

HINDUSTHAN COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE(Autonomous)

(Approved by AICTE New Delhi and Affiliated to Bharathiar University)

(ISO 9001:2008 Certified Institution)

Behind Nava India, Coimbatore – 641028

2023- 2024
GREEN PACKAGING

Green packaging, also called sustainable packaging, uses materials and manufacturing
techniques to diminish energy use and reduce the harmful impacts of packaging on the
environment. Green packing solutions often include biodegradable and recyclable materials in
preference to materials like plastic and Styrofoam. And green manufacturing processes take
steps to reduce their power output and diminish the number of greenhouse emissions they
produce.

Environmentally-Friendly Materials Used in Green Packaging

The biodegradable and recyclable materials used in eco-friendly packaging can take a variety
of different forms:

 Bioplastics, or plant-based plastics

 Recycled paper and plastics
 Post-consumer products, such as recycled bulk bags

Below is a list of several specific green packaging examples currently in use on the market.
1. Starch-Based Biomaterial

Cornstarch-based packaging, in particular, has seen a remarkable surge in interest over the last
decade or so. Though it has many properties similar to those of plastic, cornstarch-based
packaging derives from corn and is much eco-friendlier than plastic packaging. It is versatile
in its applications — manufacturers can use it to develop soda bottling, for example, or to make
loose-fill packaging material. At many U.S. national parks like Yellowstone, the hotels and
cabins use corn-based biodegradable containers to hold their amenities.

2. Other Plant-Based Biomaterials

Polylactic acid, or PLA, is a popular biodegradable plastic made from lactic acid. It can be used
in place of traditional petroleum-based plastic and typically comes from agricultural waste,
including plant starch from corn, sugarcane or beet pulp.

Another type of plant-based packaging product is Coca-Cola’s plant-based biomaterial,

PlantBottle, which is a type of sugarcane-based biomaterial. Though PlantBottle dates from
2009, its material at the time was only 30% plant-based — but since 2015, 100% of the
PlantBottle packaging has derived from sugar cane. Pepsi also has a 100% plant-based
bottle that it began using in 2011. Pepsi makes its model from switchgrass, pine bark, corn
husks and other natural materials. These plant-based models are fully recyclable and degrade
much more quickly than their petroleum-based plastic forebears.

3. Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

New York, along with several other U.S. cities, has recently instated a ban on foam products,
whose manufacture typically uses polystyrene rather than Styrofoam. The ban covers single-
use clamshell packaging of the type used for some takeout containers, and it also governs
materials such as packing peanuts and foam plates, cups and bowls.

To fill the void, companies have turned to alternative sources, including biodegradable packing
peanuts. Biodegradable packing peanuts come from natural substances such as starch and
wheat. They are lightweight and inexpensive, and they won’t harm marine life if they end up
in rivers, lakes or oceans.
4. Corrugated Bubble Wrap

Traditional bubble wrap is fun to pop, but because it’s nonbiodegradable plastic, it’s less fun
for the environment when it ends up in landfills. Recently, many companies have turned to an
alternative: corrugated bubble wrap. Corrugated bubble wrap is corrugated cardboard, scored
to create a cushioning surface and then repurposed as protective packaging for fragile materials.

5. Mushroom-Based Packaging

Though this may sound more like an adventurous wrap you might find in a vegan restaurant,
mushroom-based packaging has proven successful in commercial packaging applications.
Mushroom packaging makes use of agricultural waste held together in a packaging of
mycelium, or mushroom roots. It is highly biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The
Swedish retailer Ikea has notably begun using mushroom packaging to replace its Styrofoam
packaging.

6. Recycled Cardboard and Paper

Though old standbys like recycled cardboard and paper don’t make headlines or hashtags the
way some of the newer biomaterials do, old standbys like recycled paper and cardboard still
have plenty to offer. Especially when sourced sustainably or made from 100% recycled
materials, these materials make excellent choices for their biodegradability and low impact on
the environment.

7. Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics

Though 100% post-consumer recycled plastics are not biodegradable, they still help the
environment by reducing the need to generate new plastics from petroleum, which comes at a
high cost in energy, carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Where newfangled biomaterial
packaging is not an option, post-consumer recycled plastics offer an environmentally friendly
alternative.
8. Organic Fabrics

Organic fabrics, such as hemp, flax, recycled cotton and even palm, banana and pineapple
leaves can replace plastic bags and containers. These materials biodegrade in 100 days, instead
of the 500 to 1,000 years estimated for plastic bags, so they are incredibly eco-friendly.

9. Refurbished Products

These materials include packaging such as Bulk Bag Reclamation’s recycled bulk bags. Our
recycled bulk bags, which receive careful quality screening before getting passed along to new
consumers, reduce waste by reusing old products that still have a lot of life and value left.

BENEFITS OF USING GREEN PACKAGING

Why is sustainable packaging important? Using sustainable packaging offers a wide array of
benefits for both consumers and the environment.

1.Diminished reliance on fossil fuels

Green packaging strives to use as little fossil fuel energy as possible to reduce the carbon
footprint of packaging manufacturing.
2.Reduced use of natural resources

By designing minimal packaging, green packaging manufacturers help reduce the consumption
of natural resources. This reduction helps ensure resources will remain on our planet for future
generations.

3.Increased use of recycled products

The more we can recycle post-consumer materials, the less energy and fewer resources we
waste on creating all-new packaging. Recycled products use less water and less energy than
their brand-new cousins. Green packaging often strives to meet goals such as using 100% post-
consumer recycled paper products and recycled plastics.

4.More energy-efficient manufacturing methods

Instead of relying on fossil fuels, green packaging strives to use alternative power, such as wind
or solar energy.

5.Increased use of renewable resources

Instead of using paper derived from cutting down trees, for example, some green packaging
manufacturers use paper that comes from agricultural fibers instead.

6.Cleaner and safer oceans

Plastic packaging, in particular, is notoriously harmful to marine life. According to the

nonprofit group Plastic Oceans International, more than 8 million tons of plastic get dumped
into our oceans every year. As a result of this dumping, biologists have found one out of every
three species of marine mammals entangled in ocean plastic, and they have found an
astonishing 90% of all seabirds with plastic pieces lodged in their stomachs. Making use of
alternative sources of packaging helps mitigate these unfortunate conditions.
LATEST TRENDS IN GREEN PACKAGING MARKET

Increasing Demand from Paper Packaging Industry is a Vital Trend Paper is far more
commonly proposed as a plastic packaging alternative than bioplastics (for example, paper
cups and bags). However, currently available statistics show that in order to serve the same
purpose as its plastic equivalent, paper packaging typically needs many times more bulk. As a
consequence, even in the carbon footprint, the net environmental effect of paper appears to be
greater. Consumer demand for paper-based alternatives has shifted as a result of the
environmental issues over the use of plastic in packaging applications. Governments and
organizations are required to play a key role in changing the industry by enacting strict rules
and guidelines to protect the environment and facilitate recyclable paper-based solutions.
GREEN PACKAGING MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Recycled Content Packaging Segment to Lead Market in the Near Future

On the basis of the type, the market is segmented into recycled content packaging, reusable
packaging, and degradable packaging. The recycled content packaging segment dominated the
market, followed by reusable packaging. The increasing collection operation and processing
capacity, combined with increased use of recycled content packaging by companies aiming to
show environmental sustainability and distinguish their products, would promote gains in
recycled content packaging. Efforts by industry groups, brand owners, packaging companies,
and others to encourage sustainability programs to increase the recycling rates of various types
of packaging materials will favour the segment’s growth.

In general, recycled plastic packaging includes pallets, bins, reservoirs, intermediate bulk
containers (IBCs), reusable plastic containers (RPCs), and other handheld containers and totes,
trays, and dunnage containers that transfer goods across supply chains easily and securely

Reusable transport packaging items are primarily intended for business-to-business uses, but
the rise in applications for e-commerce and home delivery opens up possibilities for the
efficient use of reusable packaging for domestic transport of goods.
5 tips for greener packaging

Shipping is an energy-intensive process and no matter your best intentions, it can be difficult
to find a greener option. Alongside transport emissions, the packaging is a major offender.
Packing materials can end up in landfill and many go through carbon dense production
processes. Getting your business’s packaging under control is a crucial first step towards
becoming greener.

1 Use sustainable materials

Sustainable packaging comes in all shapes and sizes, but this usually means avoiding plastic in
favor of biodegradable options like cardboard and paper. Opt for packaging that can be
recycled, and include this clearly to encourage the customer to follow through. Sustainability
isn’t just about recycling, though. Make sure that the material was manufactured using
sustainable, low impact production methods. Get to know where your packaging comes from
and don’t be afraid to change if needs be.

2 Reuse what you can’t recycle

If you can’t use recyclable packaging like cardboard, then reusable comes a close second.
Pallets and bale ties are good examples of this. While these aren’t always immediately
recyclable, they can be used multiple times. Pallets are easy to repurpose and many companies
now choose to go down the reconditioned route rather than ordering brand new ones. Single
loop bale ties are useful for bundling together metals, cardboards and even clothes. They’re
easy to reuse and don’t have to be disposed of after one use.

3 Offer a returns program

Choosing reusable packing is one thing, but it’s no good if you don’t offer some kind of returns
program. You need to give your customers the ability to send back any packaging that they
don’t use so that you can put it to better use. This might involve an extensive cleaning and
repurposing process (as is the case with wooden pallets), but in some cases it can be more
bespoke. Depending on what your company sells, the same customers can feasibly send their
packaging back to you and then receive their next order in the same container.

4 Ship items in bulk

One of the best ways to cut down on packaging is to ship items in bulk rather than individually.
This saves money and has the knock-on effect of reducing air miles too. Your business might
sell something like cushions. Rather than selling just one, offer them in sets. Customers might
be reluctant to pay full price for a set, but by shipping in bulk you can also order in bulk and
offer that set at a lower price. You’ll make big savings on packaging and drastically reduce
your business’s carbon footprint.

5 Reduce size
Most companies use packaging that’s much too large for the product they’re shipping. This
creates waste, and in an era where consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever,
it might even put people off your business. Vacuum sealing can make a big difference in some
cases (taking air out of the package saves more space than you might think), but tailoring
packaging to individual products is the most important step.
RECYCLING

In some municipalities, the cost of recycling makes it unfeasible. Recycling companies often
cannot sell plastic and paper products, in particular, at prices that earn profits. So they charge
extra fees to make up the difference.

Some cities — Philadelphia, for example — have started selling their recyclables to
incinerators, which use the energy from the incineration to power the cities’ electrical grids.
Because of the increased air pollution and carbon emissions it generates, however, this solution
is far from perfect.

Cross-contamination limits the ability to recycle some materials as well. Even before China
stopped accepting American recycling products, 91% of our plastic still ended up in landfills
or oceans, mostly because of this issue of contamination. Even if consumers throw their used
plastic products into recycling receptacles, there’s a strong possibility the plastic will end up
polluting the environment anyway.

1.Green Packaging Solutions

Packaging that includes renewable resources

Cellulose, for example, which derives from wood pulp, is an attractive alternative to petroleum-
derived polymers such as PET, PE and PP. Starch-based biomaterial is also an appealing
alternative.
2.Packaging with additives

Packaging additives, primarily biodegradable, oxo-degradable and photodegradable materials,

help the packaging biodegrade faster and reduce the accumulation of packaging waste.

3.Recyclable materials

These include familiar materials such as cardboard, plastic and metals.

4.Compostable materials

These include the materials like the compostable molded-fiber bowls that some fast-casual
restaurants now offer their patrons.

5.Packaging reduction

Have you ever opened a bag of cookies or chips, only to realize that the amount of food takes
up only half the space inside the package? Green packaging strives to reduce the amount of
packaging per product it contains. Even if manufacturers cannot switch the type of material
used in their packaging, they can take steps to optimize the packaging by reducing the amount
of material used to make it.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GREEN PACKAGING FOR YOUR PRODUCT-

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

1.The Cost

Businesses don’t intentionally choose packaging which is harmful to the business but the main
reason they pick this type of packaging is down to the cost. Environmentally harmful packaging
is cheaper than green packaging. This is down to the way the material is sourced and how it is
manufactured.

2.Product Requirements

The type of product will affect what type of packaging is used. For example, if your product
was fragile, like a glass ornament, then bioplastic bags will not be suitable. Even though the
bag is biodegradable it doesn’t protect the product within. Instead, corrugated cardboard is
much more suited. With many different designs/ shapes available, we follow the FEFCO codes
to ensure that choosing a design for your product's purpose is made easier.
3.Environmental Impact

Where is the packaging being transported from? If the green packaging is sourced from another
country is it worthwhile? You need to consider how much air pollution the transport will cause.
Will this have less of an environmental impact than using single-use plastic?

COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS

Many restaurants and public venues are turning to plant-fiber bowls and containers that
consumers can feel good about composting. However, the chemicals used in these products
come with a set of issues and unknowns. The fluorinated compounds used to make this
packaging sturdy enough for use with food are “forever chemicals,” meaning they do not
biodegrade — they remain as pollution in the earth long after the sustainable fibers have
disintegrated. We also do not know what effects these relatively new chemicals may have on
human health when used in proximity to our food.

Compostable materials sometimes also have questionable origins. The manufacture of some
palm-fiber packaging, for example, has been associated with the deforestation of rainforest
habitats in Malaysia.
Though none of these issues mean we should give up on recycling or stop developing
alternative packaging materials, they do mean reusing old materials still plays a vital role in
keeping the earth green for future generations.

5 PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES FOR PACKAGING IN YOUR

DAILY LIVE:

1. Compostable Plastics

Materials like bagasse – a dry fibrous material left from sugarcane after juice extraction – have
become increasingly common to replace single-use plastic tableware and utensils. Unlike
plastics, this alternative material is biodegradable and compostable. Bagasse are malleable and
can easily be manipulated into packaging ideal for food delivery and takeaway services. And
since it’s a byproduct of sugarcane production, it is also relatively more sustainable to produce.
Similarly, Saltwater Brewery in the US has developed a compostable material for six-pack
rings – which have been known to strangulate marine animals when they enter the ocean –
made from barley and wheat remnants.

2. Cardboard Paper Water Bottles

It’s only natural to think paper and water don’t mix well and will result in a soggy mess. But a
shower-friendly and water-resistant paper material has been introduced in 2018 as a way to
replace your shower and shampoo bottles. Hair and skincare company Seed
Phytonutrients from beauty giant L’Oreal has launched bottles that are made out of recycled
paper on the outside, with a recycled plastic lining on the inside. The result is a bottle with 60
percent less plastic than an average shampoo bottle. More and more companies have since
joined the bandwagon in adopting paper bottles for their liquid products.

3. Plant-Based Plastics

Also known as bioplastics, plant-based plastics are typically made from cornstarch and bamboo
fibres, which are then broken down into polylactic acid. They carry similar properties and
sturdiness to traditional plastics, many of which are biodegradable in industrial landfills or
home composts, depending on various conditions. Bioplastics could potentially contribute
towards a more circular economy and lower environmental impact considering the plants used
typically do not require pesticides or chemicals to grow. More bioplastics have been used to
make drink bottles – much like the company Innocent, food containers and films.

4. Hemp Plastics

There’s been great progress made in the development of alternatives for plastics. One of the
newest innovations to arrive to the scene are hemp plastics. The Hemp Plastic Company is
currently developing “a new breed of eco-friendly polymer which offers significant CO2 and
other bio-advantages, while using renewable and sustainable resources.” Industrial hemp,
which is derived from the same species of plant as cannabis (though without any of the same
effects), has a lower environmental impact than traditional plastics.

5. Recycled Plastics

We do our best to recycle plastics when we have to use them, and the plastics industry has been
working hard to close the recycling loop. Out of the 3,147,000 tonnes of PET bottles and
containers which entered the European market in 2016, some 1,880,900 tonnes were collected
– an equivalent of nearly 60%. Of this, 1,773,200 tonnes was mechanically recycled. Plastics
can be unavoidable when you’re looking for a sturdy material that can support heavy loads.
Thankfully, many shipping materials and tools that are made from 100% recycled plastics have
become more widely available, ranging from drums to spill control pallets.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Compared to EPS, the new ClimaCell liners produce approximately 63% less CO2 emissions
during manufacturing. With an annual volume of 10,000 dry-ice coolers shipped by QIAGEN
in the U.S., we estimate this change will result in a reduction of 21,950 pounds of CO2e (carbon
dioxide equivalent). That’s equivalent to planting 165 trees and letting them grow for 10 years.
By switching to the ClimaCell liners, we are reducing our plastic footprint by over 3 tons per
year.
CONCLUSION

Green packaging has gained significant attention in recent years due to growing environmental
concerns and consumer demand for sustainable products. The use of eco-friendly materials,
such as bioplastics and recycled content, has become increasingly popular. However, there are
still challenges to overcome, such as the high cost of some green packaging options and the
need for improved recycling infrastructure. To fully realize the potential benefits of green
packaging, a holistic approach is necessary that considers the entire lifecycle of the product,
from raw material extraction to disposal. This includes reducing waste through design for
sustainability, using renewable energy in production processes, and promoting circular
economy principles. Ultimately, green packaging has the potential to significantly reduce
environmental impact while also providing economic and social benefits.