The Invisible Costs of Single-Use Packaging

In a world where sustainability and cost-effectiveness go hand in hand, businesses are increasingly turning to reusable packaging as their primary packaging solution. And why wouldn’t they? Even in the short-term, reusable packaging provides fiscal, environmental, and labor benefits for businesses of all sizes and industries. In the long-term, returnable packaging has been known to save thousands upon thousands of dollars and make for a healthier world.

But today, we want to do something a little different at Carter Associates. Today, we’ll be highlighting the pitfalls of single-use packaging and why companies across the globe are moving toward cost-friendly and environmentally-conscience reusable packaging.

The True Cost of Single-Use Packaging

Single-use packaging may seem convenient, but it comes at a hidden cost. From manufacturing to disposal, businesses incur expenses at every stage of the single-use packaging lifecycle.

Unlike reusable packaging, single-use packaging must consistently be purchased as long as a product is in production. On top of this seemingly endless cost, single-use packaging also exits the life cycle of a product at significantly higher rates than reusable packaging. In addition to the constant re-purchasing of single-use packaging, it also costs money to dispose of it. By contrast, returnable packaging can last for years, saving you and your customers potentially huge amounts of money.

“Throwaway Culture” and Its Consequences

If you’re reading this, then you’re almost certainly aware of the environmental consequences of plastic waste and carbon emissions. For years now, everyone and their mother has been spreading awareness about the climate crisis our planet is facing—and for good reason. However, it doesn’t seem as common that we discuss the impacts of single-use packaging on our local communities.

Though all plastic waste contributes to global environmental issues, the plastic waste that we take part in every day directly impacts the communities we live in. For these reasons, both the public and the government are increasingly moving away from single-use packaging.

Consequently, businesses both local and international that excessively rely on single-use packaging find themselves in compromising situations when the government and the public call for them to change their practices. In fact, it’s been shown that younger consumers (between 18 and 24 years old) actually prefer spending more money on a product that uses sustainable packaging than less money on a product that uses single-use or “wasteful” packaging.

On the bright side, this shift in consumer perspective makes it much more economically viable for businesses who want to make environmentally friendly products.

Here at Carter Associates, we believe that every company that wants to take actions toward lowering shipping costs and saving the environment should be able to do so. That’s why we offer a wide variety of reusable packaging that’s cost-effective in the short- and long-term while making local communities a better place for everyone.

If you want to contribute to your community’s well-being and save on your bottom line, then we believe you can have your cake and eat it too. Click here to contact us and get your reusable packaging today.