What does ‘circular economy’ mean?

Despite making good progress in recent years, overconsumption remains high, and short-lived or disposable items are commonly overproduced to match demand.

Combined with the fact that many manufacturing processes used by businesses are largely unsustainable, particularly in the world of mainstream packaging, this is an issue we need to tackle. Implementing a circular economy can benefit the environment, alongside offering many additional advantages for businesses and consumers. So, let’s explore what a circular economy means and its purpose.

A circular economy promotes the continual use of resources, with a focus on reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing and recycling. This creates a closed-loop system, which minimises the use of resource outputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions. For example, packaging created for a circular economy can often be broken down to be reused for another purpose after its initial use.

However, this isn’t the default mode of production for many businesses – a linear economy is much more common. In a linear economy, raw materials are used to manufacture a product, and the product is then used and thrown away, which ultimately harms our global waste management. So, for instance, when consumers buy food at the supermarket and throw the packaging in the bin, it goes straight to landfill. This is creating challenges for our environment – particularly where plastic is concerned.

The world’s population is expected to peak at 10 billion in 2050. And as our population increases, so too does the demand for raw materials – but the supply isn’t sufficient to meet this demand.

This isn’t the only issue. Extracting and using these raw materials has a major impact on the environment, causing soil degradation, water shortages, biodiversity loss, damage to ecosystem functions and global warming.

Packaging and plastics companies have the opportunity and responsibility to make sure that we keep plastic within a circular economy and out of the environment. We should use this model to help with the demand of our growing population and to lessen the impact on our environment by extracting fewer raw materials.

It’s important that we all do our part to preserve the limited resources of the Earth as best we can. If we succeed in doing that, businesses and consumers alike will be able to reap the moral, economic and environmental rewards.

A circular economy comes with many benefits, which we’ll explore in more detail below.

Increase brand competitiveness

A circular economy increases competitiveness and innovation amongst businesses worldwide as they strive to do better by creating more sustainable products and initiatives. Not only are consumers more likely to purchase when the packaging and even products themselves can be reused, but this can also boost economic growth and create thousands of jobs within new ‘greener’ industries.

More durable products

With changes in materials and manufacturing, products are more likely to have a longer lifespan. This saves the consumer money in the long term, since they don’t need to keep repurchasing products, while also meaning that they’re moving away from the harmful throw-away culture.

Minimise waste

Packaging is an easy and sustainable way to begin making long-term switches necessary to stop the devastating impact of plastic pollution. Many consumers are mindful about their purchasing habits and waste already, so if they know that your business is contributing to a circular economy, it’s a win-win.

Support the environment

Naturally, a circular economy will have a fantastic impact on our environment since we’re using fewer raw materials and ensuring everything can be repurposed. In turn, this can help us continue to provide for our population without impacting the planet.

There is a continued demand for more sustainable packaging. And with a growing population, the demand for raw materials is set to go up, not down. Continuing with a linear model isn’t an option.

The design, sourcing, production and processing stages in packaging manufacturing all have a major role to play in following a circular economy. Choosing sustainable materials is the first step, but businesses also need to ensure the initial design of packaging factors in future uses. Additionally, it needs to be made obvious to the end user that the packaging isn’t single-use. If they aren’t made aware, then the packaging could still end up in landfill due to a lack of proper signposting.

In a circular economy, we not only use less packaging, but we design the packaging so it can be reused, recycled or composted in a closed loop.

Here at Tyler Packaging, we want to play our part in helping the planet by offering greener products with quality that’s built to last. That’s why you’ll find that our packaging is designed to be reused, recycled, and then composted, eliminating unnecessary waste and improving sustainability.

Our recyclable packaging range has been developed as part of this commitment. The products within this range are produced using up to a two-layer laminate, moving away from the mixed plastic laminates traditionally used, which aren’t recyclable.

Another great option is our compostable packaging range, made from renewable materials that are environmentally friendly throughout their entire lifecycle. This packaging breaks down in a controlled timeframe under specific conditions that return the packaging to nature, promoting a truly circular economy.

If you’d like to know more about our sustainable packaging ranges and how we can help your business implement a circular economy, contact us today, call on 01926 651451 or email us at info@tylerpackaging.co.uk.