York Container Blog

What is the Impact of Sustainable Packaging Design on Brand Image?

Written by Darryl Waddell | Sep 27, 2024 11:45:00 AM

What does good packaging look like for consumers? Is it eye-catching? Sturdy, lightweight, and convenient to use? These aspects are all important, but there's another box to tick for many consumers. Good packaging is sustainable.

Sustainability influences how people perceive a brand. Today’s customers pay attention not just to visuals and convenience but also to the environmental impact of packaging. Around 82% of consumers are willing to spend more on products with sustainable packaging, while 90% of younger consumers (aged 18-24) are even more willing to pay for eco-friendly options.

How does this shift toward sustainability impact your image? Let’s explore how sustainable packaging can enhance how customers perceive and receive your product.

How Does Sustainable Packaging Benefit Your Brand?

Efficient packaging attracts, contains, and provides convenience to consumers, logistic operators, and manufacturers alike. However, after serving these purposes, packaging made from single-use materials ends its life cycle in landfills. This is why many consumers and businesses have shifted to sustainable packaging.

Sustainable packaging is the way to go if you want to support your values and grow your brand meaningfully.

Align Consumer Values with their Purchases

Have you ever wondered why more people recycle corrugated boxes than plastic bags? Corrugated boxes are easier to recycle and widely recognized as environmentally friendly, whereas plastic packaging takes hundreds if not thousands of years to break down. As concerns over climate change and plastic pollution increase, consumers become more eager to purchase sustainable options. 

Consumers are motivated by values when purchasing, so they buy into brands that reflect their beliefs and priorities. This often means switching brand choices at the grocery store or an e-commerce website with sustainable packaging. According to Shopify, brands that build strong emotional connections with customers through sustainable practices see a 306% increase in lifetime value.

Boost Brand Credibility and Reputation

Investing in eco-friendly packaging shows you support communities, individuals, and the environment with one move. A joint study by McKinsey and NielsenIQ found that products with one or more Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) claims on their packaging outperform those that made none. The same survey found that newer companies with ESG claims can outperform their non-claiming counterparts.

CAGR Comparison of Products with ESG Claims and Products without ESG Claims

Sustainable packaging appeals strongly to customers, whether they are actively eco-conscious or not. Switching to sustainable packaging demonstrates to consumers that your company is committed to making a positive impact and takes corporate responsibility seriously. This kind of genuine commitment can turn casual buyers into loyal customers who are proud to support your brand.

Drive Positive Brand Associations

Sustainable packaging is an attractive, creative, and efficient way to present your products on the shelf. Beyond aesthetics, it reflects your brand’s values and commitment to doing the right thing for the planet— which can be a powerful differentiator in a crowded market.

When that packaging is sustainable, consumers start to view your brand as responsible, forward-thinking, and committed to positively impacting the environment. These associations can influence how consumers perceive your entire product line and brand. Understanding these triggers when designing and manufacturing your packaging is important.

Enjoy Versatile and Flexible Packaging

For York Container Company, a box isn’t just a box. We see corrugated paper packaging as a vital piece of the global push for sustainability. For your brand, a sustainable corrugated box is a protective layer for products, an effective marketing tool, and a canvas for brand storytelling.

Sustainable packaging works for any industry, no matter the product. You can customize the size and shape of the corrugated box to fit your needs and add your branding elements. You can enhance your inventory management with QR codes on the packaging to take it up a notch.

Achieve Brand Success With Sustainable Corrugated Packaging

No matter how packaging trends change, one thing remains constant: it should look intentional. That means every design choice should reflect your brand’s values and resonate with your customers.

Committing to sustainable packaging shows your customers that your brand values quality, responsibility, and the future of our planet. Work with a manufacturer who understands the importance of sustainability and brand image to maximize the benefits of sustainable packaging design.

“There is quite a lot of interesting methodology that goes into creating quality packaging products at a corrugated container company. On top of quality customized solutions, York Container Company is known for its green corrugated approach, which combines renewability, reuse, certified sourcing, and lowered CO2 emissions. Our goal is to set the standard for sustainability in the industry.”

- Darryl Waddell, Business Development & Insights Manager, York Container Company

York Container Company is an industry leader in sustainable and retail-ready packaging and has several patented designs we have implemented for our customers. We also continuously invest in our facilities to keep our production locations equipped with the latest technology and capabilities.

Partner with York Container Company today and take your brand’s image to the next level with packaging that genuinely reflects your values.