To combat plastic pollution, companies have started to use eco-friendly packaging to lessen the damage done to the environment. One of these solutions is the Bag in Box system. You have probably seen these convenient, compact, rectangular boxes with products such as laundry detergent or even wine. But why are they special? How do they reduce plastic waste more than traditional plastic bottles? Let's take a look at these boxes to see how they are changing the world of packaging.
The Bag in Box system consists of a flexible plastic bag, surrounded by a cardboard box. When a consumer pulls a product (like wine or laundry detergent) from the internal plastic bag, the bag collapses and prevents air from entering the packaging system. The box then keeps the bag from bending and makes it easier to transport. The flexibility and lightweight, packing and shipping it to retailers.
On the surface, this design may appear simplistic, but its benefits become apparent when compared to the other inflexible rigid bottle options. Standard bottle options are made with HDPE high density polyethylene, which requires thick walls of plastic to maintain structural shape. In contrast, the Bag in Box design uses a flexable inner pouch which means the outer shell of the box can be made of Significantly low plastic by weight.
When it comes to reducing plastic waste, the numbers don't lie. There are multiple case studies demonstrating the efficacy of Bag in Box packaging. One such example is HEX Performance, a brand that uses Bag in Box for its liquid detergent. HEX Performance reported a 60% reduction in plastic waste per liter compared to traditional 100 ounce HDPE detergent bottles. This significant reduction can be attributed to the inner pouch’s lightweight construction which enables it to rely on the outer box for overall structure rather than additional plastic.
One example of a patent being granted for a Bag in Box container for liquid laundry detergent states that this design could use up to 80% less plastic than the standard polyethylene blow-molded bottles used in the industry . Such reductions are critical to solving the world plastic waste problem because with plastic being used less often in a product, production resources are consumed less, and waste is created less.
Other than the plastic reduction, the Bag in Box system also has a variety of other environmental benefits. The compact form and efficient design means that less space is consumed when transported. With the Quad-Seal shape, these packages are able to stack more tightly in shipping cartons which means less trips are needed. This results in a significant reduction of more than one trip that would otherwise lead to the creation of a considerable amount of CO₂. This means that other than being efficient, it also lowers logistical costs, which is also a good thing.
Furthermore, the cardboard outer component is often made from recycled materials, and also is recyclable. Companies such as LC Packaging have made a purpose-driven commitment to use 85% recycled content in their cardboard packaging, and this values the heightened sustainability of the Bag in Box solutions. When the outer box is responsibly sourced, and is also recycled, the whole system supports a circular economy.
One of the most common myths is that a package is eco-conscious if it is recyclably packaged. However, lifecycle assessments demonstrate that Bag in Box packaging is almost always superior to bottles in overall impact reduction. For instance, one comparative study pointed out that Detergent Rigid Bottles is outperformed in fossil fuel usage by 58%, greenhouse gas emissions by 47%, and water consumption by 25% in comparison to Bag in Box solutions.
Additionally, lightweight packaging like Bag in Box is likely to have lower energy footprints over their lifecycles: from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transport. As one such analysis pointed out, bags use far less energy than \\"boxes\\" (even recycled ones) because of their minimal weight and compactness. This holistic view underscores that Bag in Box isn't just about reducing plastic, it's about reducing the packaging's overall impact on the environment.
Bag in Box's versatility has allowed it to integrate into different sectors. In food and beverages, it is used in wines, juices, and syrups, and in non-food it includes detergents and personal care products. Packaging manufacturer SACMI highlights that Bag in Box technology optimally uses product to packaging ratio, thereby reducing costs in logistics and raw material usage.
From a consumer perspective, Bag in Box packages are user-friendly. The integrated taps or dispensers make it easy to pour liquids without mess. The collapsible inner bag also ensures almost all of the product is used. This system effectively reduces waste. More consumers are prioritizing sustainability, and thus, brands that use Bag in Box packaging both strengthen their eco-friendly brand image, and fulfill a consumer demand for greener options. The Positive Aspects of Sustainability Packaging For the Company and the Consumer.
The positive aspects of bag in box packaging are endless. For instance, with sustainability packaging options growing in popularity, the use of packaging that is designed for sustainability is both a form of brand marketing and an expectation of a growing number of consumers. Research is showing a link between trend and consumer psychology. By having bags and pouches that are easy to refill, brands are now able to reduce production. Adapting to consumer demand for sustainability practices and packaging can be quite beneficial for a company.
Continuing advancements in mono-material films, used in the inner pouches of the boxes, improves recyclability. Many brands are also testing the use of biodegradable and compostable materials. Bag in Box packaging will likely see a steady increase in use, as the inner pouches of BIB become more recyclable and more composting facilities are available.
The use of the cardboard box to contain and distribute a product is classic. Ongoing challenges can be met with ingenuity. The resistance to adopting change also adds to the difficulties. Break down the challenges to increase the use of the cardboard box to hold and distribute packaging.
The Bag in Box system is a realistic way to continue making a difference in the fight to reduce plastic waste. This not only cuts the plastic used to package products, but reduces the distance products are shipped to cut CO2 emissions. As Bottle packaging is improving, products packaged with Bag in Box packaging should be the packaging of choice. The next time you see packages like this, remember this: you are making the decision for a smarter choice in packaging.
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