With Earth Day just around the corner, sustainability and brands’ sustainable promises are under a well-deserved magnifying glass. And while it’s all well and good that we have a designated annual day to focus on sustainability as well as appreciate the planet and all it’s given us, we also have a duty, as humans, to be thankful and respectful of the Earth on all days, especially as thought leaders and creatives within the packaging industry.
Packaging is undeniably wasteful—there’s no denying this. But it’s often necessary. We use packaging as protection for products as well as a branding extension. As a brand, it can be a challenge creating innovative and beautiful packaging while also weighing the sustainability and eco-friendly measures that need consideration. As a designer, it can be even more challenging to sell sustainability to clients, especially clients intimidated by a steeper price tag or those inexperienced about what’s even possible within the realm of sustainability, not to mention upending a product’s manufacturing or an entire supply chain.
