The market for ethical packaging is growing rapidly. A trend due to the environmental and ethical revolution that is affecting economies around the world. Regarding packaging for example, the global sustainable packaging market size is expected to reach $476.28 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.70% during the forecast period (2023-2031), according to the Straits Researchreport “Sustainable Packaging Market”.
Leading this expansion, according to the World Packaging Organizations, will be primarily the pharmaceutical and health care sectors , with a CAGR of 14.9 percent, the cosmetics and personal care sector, and the food and beverage sector , which is estimated to increase at a CAGR of 7.05 percent over the same period.
Current popular strategies to promote sustainable packaging include reducing the size or weight of packaging and using recycled or renewable materials, with an increase in the use of paper and paperboard. However, recycled plastics and bioplastics are also being targeted in the pharmaceutical sector to produce low-cost packaging that meets sustainability standards.
Sustainability is not enough, we need ethics above all
“Sustainability alone is not enough: sustainable does not equal ethical. There is still too much packaging called ‘sustainable’ that contains animal ingredients such as casein, lanolin and beef tallow, used in glues, inks and plastics,” say the creators of VEGANOK, a company responsible for certifications for vegan products and companies. Hence the birth of the VEG-PACK certification, with which VEGANOK raises the concept of sustainability to a higher level. In fact, VEG-PACK is the only certification that guarantees that packaging is completely free of animal derivatives, a revolutionary step for truly ethical packaging.
Growing interest in ethical packaging
“Interest in ethical packaging solutions is growing rapidly. In 2023, VEGANOK recorded a 35 percent increase in applications for VEG-PACK certification, a clear sign of a growing awareness not only of the environmental impact of packaging, but also of animal welfare,” claim from VEGANOK. As the vegan sector continues to expand and companies seek to stand out, certifying packaging is not only an ethical choice, but a strategic marketing trend that can be leveraged now more than ever.
A competitive advantage for companies
For packaging manufacturers and companies marketing vegan products, VEG-PACK represents a new opportunity to differentiate themselves in the market, attract conscious consumers and meet the growing demand for sustainable solutions. In addition to improving brand perception, certifying packaging thus offers a guarantee of transparency and quality, consolidating consumer trust. Companies from different sectors-from food to cosmetics-can therefore certify their packaging, in order to adopt more ethical and sustainable production practices, contributing to the creation of a future in which packaging becomes a crucial element in environmental protection.
