Sustainability: Organizational Change
It’s cool to care about the planet - consumers want companies that can demonstrate genuine green ambitions and a long-term commitment to sustainable development. In our recent report, ‘2022 Global Outlook of Sustainable Packaging’, 49% of respondents told us they’re investing in sustainable packaging to meet consumer demand.
Packaging organizations all over the world have become ready and willing to invest in the change required at every level of business to replace empty platitudes with real commitment to progress.
It’s not only the philanthropic thing to do - it’s good business sense! Building a more sustainable company from top to bottom can reduce costs, create fresh opportunities, and improve your reputation in the community. So, how well are packaging firms faring in the quickening race to go green and stay green?
How sustainable are your environmental commitments?
We questioned 255 industry professionals about this in our ‘2022 Global Outlook of Sustainable Packaging’ survey. While much progress has been made, success stories were told, and a genuine desire to deliver change is prevalent, several respondents revealed that their employers are still struggling to implement the deep organizational changes needed to actually realize their goals.
In this piece we delve into the problems that packaging companies are facing and explore some of the simple but effective organizational changes they are already making. Through their products, in their offices, on the factory floors - and also in their employees’ outlooks and behaviors.
As a world-leader in testing and inspection we’ve helped companies of all sizes, across many industries, to put their recycled raw materials, product samples, and eco-friendly ambitions to the test.
Over the years, we’ve noticed that many of the companies that get the most from their sustainability goals do more than simply make greener products and packaging. Sustainability is embedded into the fabric of these organizations - they invest and commit whole-heartedly in the process, continually monitoring progress and reviewing performance. It’s a bit of a cliché, but they strive to ensure that sustainability is truly within the ‘company DNA.’
Simply put - there’s little point in dabbling. If you really want to minimize your environmental impact and keep the consumer happy, sustainability should factor in all company decision making.
Those that really walk the walk work hard to slash the environmental impact of their own organizations. They develop portfolios of sustainable products and packaging from recycled materials and win the hearts and minds of customers by delivering real change. At a company level, you’ll find employees at all levels singing a song of sustainability from the same recycled pages!
Sustainability - No Scrimping
Through our recent survey we explored the views of international packaging professionals - from quality control managers and laboratory chemists to CEOs. They came from a variety of sectors, in businesses of all sizes, working across every stage of the packaging manufacture and testing process.
We quizzed them around their commitment to sustainable packaging goals, challenges, and implementation practices in their own workplaces. In response, we heard a lot about technical testing issues and the limited availability of quality recycled raw materials. But we also learnt that there are still lots of organizations out there that are not yet investing in the change management needed for any serious progress.
Some 33% of respondents revealed that their organizations were still at the first hurdle and were yet to define new company goals. Our survey revealed that many firms still lack confidence in their ability to achieve their aspirations ‘in house’ without external support. Some 49% of those questioned said that ‘additional consulting services’ were needed and 42% felt that new hires were necessary to bring expertise into the company for the long haul.
Reflecting upon the overall barriers to sustainable packaging, many told us that they believe there are significant material performance, cost, and safety concerns to address. To get over these hurdles manufacturers said more commitment is needed to research and development (60%), new production or processing technology/techniques (52%), and more durable raw materials (51%).
The main change identified was the need for new equipment (66%). As highlighted in the report, many are finding that the current test and inspection solutions are often not suitable for the raw materials needed to produce new sustainable packaging.
However, the good news is that many of these issues can be solved or helped by partnering with a reliable test and inspection partner.
Sustainability - You Spoke, We Listened
Product Range Change
One of the fastest ways to effect positive change is to scrutinize your existing product portfolio. ‘Lightweighting’ where possible and sourcing and testing recycled materials to replace any single-use offenders in the mix.
We delve into the impact of light weighting in our report, ‘A Thirst For Perfection’ – in this piece, you’ll find insights into the biggest trends impacting beverage packaging manufacturers in particular.
The survey revealed that the cost of raw materials (56%), the sourcing of raw materials (51%), and a need for new technology (50%) were the top quality control challenges for manufacturers working with recycled materials.
While there’s no silver bullet to these issues, we’ve noticed that manufacturers who consider alternative testing techniques, or apply outside-the-recycled-box thinking, can often reduce their quality control and testing challenges.
You’ll need complete confidence in your inspection procedures and technology when benchmarking your new samples and eco-friendly products. With the right testing partner, you can be certain that your inspection devices are the right fit. You can determine if a new supplier’s wares are fit for purpose and understand the cost and performance trade-offs that come from each option. And then you can make sure that you are testing your product samples correctly, while working to the most appropriate set of standards.
With confidence in your raw materials, quality processes, and technology, you can push on to design new sustainable packaging and products.
Walk Your Sustainable Talk
Producing a portfolio of sustainable packaging options and bringing in the experts is a great way to show a genuine commitment to sustainability. But if you want to talk the talk then you have to walk the walk within your own business dealings too. Successful organizational change comes from examining everything you do - continually checking and refining your business practices to make good on your ongoing commitments.
So, what are some simple changes a packaging company can make on the road to true organizational change?
First things first, set clear goals and plot a well-considered, realistic change process to achieve them. It sounds simple enough, but remember - 33% of our survey respondents said they stumbled at this first hurdle.
A sustainability goal can be anything from the number of eco-friendly packages you bring to market, to developing an overall carbon footprint reduction target.
There are many simple ways to bring change. Are you on top of your energy consumption, always seeking opportunities to cut back on waste and improve company recycling efforts? These are easy shifts to make. While something as simple as swapping to LED lighting, or choosing a more environmentally friendly tariff provider, are further steps in the right direction.
Going digital and cutting down on paper waste is important and some companies go further with zero waste to landfill commitments. Then there’s your carbon footprint to consider. One of the major areas to recognize is the emissions created during the daily office commute. So why not encourage your people to carpool…or subsidize their public transport costs? Even offering more work from home flexibility can help to cut down on commuting carbon crush.
Solidarity in Sustainability
Are you talking about what you are doing enough? Not just the public-approval seeking press releases and photo ops…but with your own people. Do your employees understand the company vision enough to communicate the narrative proudly to customers?
Employee engagement is key: for your green goals to infiltrate every level of your business, encourage a two-way dialogue. Consistent and clear internal comms - newsletters, emails, competitions, or incentive reward schemes - will all help sow the sustainability seed.
Involve your people in the goal-setting and the progress your company is making in accomplishing feel-good, sustainable initiatives. It will boost camaraderie and garner support. When you have your people on board…goals quickly become achievements.
Sustainable Supply Chains
Once your own house is in order you can influence your supply chain. Sourcing for your raw materials only from the greenest of manufacturers is another exemplary way to contribute to sustainable development.
Are any partners, external consultants, and suppliers you work with committed to sustainability in a way that matches your new green vision? If not, ask them to raise their game or find alternative opportunities. In doing so you can influence others to change as well.
A choice... not a burden
Encouragingly, our research shows that, while consumer pressure does play a significant role in decision making, companies are investing in sustainability because they believe that it’s the right thing to do.
This is what we see too. In our experience of working with hundreds of global manufacturers, we’ve seen many industry-leading organizations embrace sustainability as an obligation and choice, rather than a chore.
At Industrial Physics we help companies to put their recycled materials - and the packages they make from them - to the test. We’ve been doing this for many decades and it’s fair to say our machines have revolutionized the recycled packaging industry. When striving for a greener future, we’re here. We act as your partner to ensure that your desire for a more eco-friendly future doesn’t compromise package, material, or product integrity.
So, we’re confident we can support your organizational changes and help you to realize your sustainable development goals.
We’ll support your eco-friendly ambitions with the best test and inspection advice and equipment available. Sounds good? Then get in touch today!