Debunking 4 Common Myths About the Packaging Industry

custom printed packagingThe corrugated packaging industry employs over 70,000 people throughout the United States. That’s because virtually everyone has a need for packaging at some point in their lives. Whether it’s retail packaging, custom printed packaging, branded packaging, or branded e-commerce packaging, it’s a big part of almost everything we buy, and it’s a necessary cost. With all we’ve come to learn about packaging over the years, there are still some myths circulating about the industry. Here are some of the most common myths surrounding the packaging industry.

  1. Myth: Packaging is incredibly wasteful.
    While the EPA estimates that 30% of waste is from packaging, many efforts have been made to extend the life of packaging. There are nearly a hundred waste-to-energy facilities in the United States, and that number is continuing to grow. It’s also important to know that it takes 91% less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than to recycle a pound of paper.
  2. Myth: Packaging causes litter.
    A piece of trash cannot litter itself. To blame anything except people for littering is simply ignorant. Until better littering laws are enforced, some people will still continue to litter because they are just plain lazy and want to treat the Earth as their personal trash can. Don’t blame the packaging — blame the people.
  3. Myth: Companies use way too much packaging for their products.
    While it may seem as though companies are using more packaging than necessary, they’ve actually made big efforts to reduce the amount of packaging needed for certain products. Packaging companies generally try to hit the right balance between protecting the product and limiting waste.
  4. Myth: Packaging is entirely unnecessary.
    In a perfect world, packaging would not be necessary, but it is required to keep contents safe and secure. Unpackaged food spoils faster and can get contaminated more easily. Unpackaged medicines can also lose their sterility, and countless products would be damaged upon delivery if they were shipped without being packaged.

Overall, the packaging industry is a necessary part of sustaining the American economy. It protects all sort of valuable products from incurring significant damage and assures that your packaged product is safe, clean, and fresh. For more information about custom printed packaging, contact Packaging Design.